Module Overview
Each curriculum module contains three types of lessons that prepare adult English language learners for a culminating experience in the outdoors
Introduction Lesson
Introduction lessons are designed to gather existing student knowledge on topics and assess English literacy on the topic. Adult language learners come to Minnesota with a deep knowledge of nature and environmental literacy, yet they may lack familiarity with Minnesota ecosystems and English words to describe them. Introduction lessons establish the base level of student knowledge on a topic and introduce learners to the culminating experience. Each module contains one introduction lesson.
Science Content
As the name suggests, science content lessons address natural history topics that align with the culminating experiences. The breadth of these lessons is immense, ranging from topics such as photosynthesis, natural selection, and axial tilt. Many of the topics covered in these lessons are also present on the United States GED exam, of which many adult language learners have an interest in completing. Each module contains 3-5 science content lessons, for an average of 6-10 hours of classroom time.
Pre-experience
Pre-experience lessons provide students with the critical skills necessary to engage with the culminating experience on their own. These lessons were designed to specifically address constraints of access to outdoor spaces in Minnesota. Lessons discuss natural resource laws and regulations; explain differences between different public lands; or prepare students to visit a natural history museum. Each module contains 1-3 pre-experience lessons, for an average of 2-6 hours of classroom time.
Module Implementation
There are many ways to incorporate Nature for New Minnesotans curriculum into the adult English language classroom, however we have outlined three of the most common approaches that work best:
Immersive
This approach is best suited for highly invested classrooms that are committed to utilizing curriculum to its full extent. Classrooms following this approach will complete all science content lessons, supplemental EL activities, and the culminating experience. While every classroom is different, this approach would take up the most classroom time and would be akin to a normal curriculum unit in an EL classroom.
Workshop
This approach is best suited for classrooms that have high interest in specific culminating experiences but have limited capacity to incorporate an entire curriculum module into their classroom. This approach would incorporate some science content lessons, but would prioritize the pre-experience lessons that prepare students for the culminating experience. This approach would likely be concentrated into 3-5 days of classwork, ending in a culminating experience.
Experience
This approach is best suited for classrooms with limited time and flexibility, but are still interested in culminating experiences. Additionally, this approach may be best suited for classrooms with high-beginner or low-intermediate students, as it is hyper-focused on preparation for a culminating experience. In this approach, classrooms would complete only two lessons: the introduction & pre-experience lesson before participating in a culminating experience. This approach guarantees that students have been exposed to English vocabulary that addresses the culminating experience, without burdening students with additional science vocabulary and concepts. This approach could be completed in a minimum of three days, including the culminating experience.