Lest it seem like I am only interested in the travel from the perspective of exposing my daughter to the rich history and culture and natural beauty of another place, let it be known that right now as I type, a few wonderful teachers in the local elementary schools, are implementing our protocols for trying to understand the how and why of young students attachment to place and nature here in the Adirondacks. This is the research portion of what Im going to do there in rural schools with my friend and education colleague Natalya Yurkova. Ill be teaching two courses there as well and will write more about them later!!
Over the last several years, amazing and dedicated teachers here in the Adirondacks (Karen Rappolo, Sarah Benzce, Bill Peer and Erika Bezio and others) have been collecting data in their classes that we will be using to develop a picture of the different influences rural students have on their attachment and knowledge about the environments in which they live. When I get back with the Altai data we will all sit down and make meaning and try to apply the knowledge to curricula - I LOVE THIS STUFF. This is ultimately a collaboration among Adirondack kids, Altai kids, my Russian academic colleagues and the teachers there and here.
A Tupper Lake 3rd Graders image representing what they vlaue about their 'place' |
An Altai Republic 3rd grader's pictoral expression of what they value about their 'place |
If you want to know more about the research, here is a link to the Press Release that went out from the College (http://readme.readmedia.com/Prestigious-scholarship-propels-local-professor-to-Russia/3822770)
Stay tuned for more pictures of the places we'll go and the people we'll see...........
Fantastic! We are proud of you. :-) Have a great trip -- post often! :-)
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