SOUTHEAST VIRTUAL: Nature Unleashed (3rd-5th)

**This is a virtual training for Southeast Missouri Teachers. This training is limited to the following counties since supplies and materials will be hand delivered to the school district/building approximately 1 week before the virtual training date. Counties: Bollinger, Butler, Dunklin, Stoddard, Wayne, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, Saint Francois, Iron, Madison, Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot.

Teachers will be expected to complete the given hands-on activities and watch a few virtual components before the virtual training date.

The Discover Nature Schools program, Nature Unleashed, is a program designed to allow elementary students hands-on interactions and understanding of Missouri habitats, food webs, predator/prey relationships, and adaptations. Not only does the program meet the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Missouri Learning Standards, but there are also big benefits for students. A recent study of the program shows that Nature Unleashed increased the amount of time students spent in activities and field experiences outside the classroom. Learning outdoors improves student physical and mental health, increases scores on standardized tests, and reduces attention-deficit problems.

Nature Unleashed inspires students in ways that other programs do not, and test scores prove it. During the last four school years, over a third of teachers reported a decrease in student behavior issues on the days they taught the unit. Even more impressive, students in Nature Unleashed classrooms increased their scores by an average of 28 percent (significantly more than non-participating students) during the 2014-2015 school year.

Nature Unleashed emphasizes hands-on learning, teaches problem-solving, and provides authentic and local contexts for learning.

The program includes the follow items:

• • full-color, illustrated student book
• • student science notebook
• • teacher guides with outdoor activities and lesson plans
• • grants for field trips and exploration equipment