DreamRider is thrilled to announce our new, fun, easy-to-use eco-curriculum for grades 3-6.
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| Kids and teacher Tannis Fisher having fun and learning with the Planet Protector Academy, June 2012 |
It's a game and a curriculum, it's digital and real-life, it's fun and it's meaningful, and it creates real-world change! 80-100% of families in our tests changed their eco-habits because their kids were in the Academy program. "The highlight of our term." - R. Webber, Quilchena Elementary.
The Planet Protector Academy has been created by DreamRider's veteran team of engagement experts, led by Ian Gschwind and Vanessa LeBourdais. "The Academy is a 360 degree interactive learning adventure for elementary school classrooms," says LeBourdais.
"Kids get to be Apprentice Planet Protectors attending the Academy, with awesome characters interacting with them from the screen in front of the class. Apprentices form teams, play games, do fun multi-learning style, arts-based activities, and learn.
"And because they're so engaged, they go out and change the world - measuring the change they're making as part of the game."
Here are Esmeralda Planet Protector and her sidekick Goober welcoming kids to their first class at the Academy:
"Kids get to be Apprentice Planet Protectors attending the Academy, with awesome characters interacting with them from the screen in front of the class. Apprentices form teams, play games, do fun multi-learning style, arts-based activities, and learn.
"And because they're so engaged, they go out and change the world - measuring the change they're making as part of the game."
Here are Esmeralda Planet Protector and her sidekick Goober welcoming kids to their first class at the Academy:
And here are some grade four boys from our test of the Academy, screaming with excitement about writing, learning, and their mission:
Here's a screenshot from the website that takes classes through the Academy:
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| A screenshot of the Academy website - as easy to use as pressing "next"! |
- Easy – Requires almost no teacher prep – it’s “plug and play”. You just need a computer and a screen to project our website onto, or a Smartboard. The website takes you through the modules, as easy as clicking "next"!
- Fun – “The highlight of our term.” – R. Webber, Quilchena Elementary
- Flexible – Take five to nine weeks to complete the 9-module program
- No cost – Thanks to Vancity and TD Friends of the Environment the $300 per class fee is covered in Max 3 classes per school at 32 schools in various Metro Vancouver regions.
- PLOs – multiple links to Grade 3-6 arts, sciences, languages & social sciences PLOs.
- A game you play – in four teams, kids compete for points in the Academy.
- A story you’re part of - “Like going to Jedi school!”
- Lessons to learn – learn about climate, weather, energy and transportation.
- And real life missions too! - kids go on four missions at home
Great for the planet!
- Changes behaviours of families – 80-100% of kids got their families to change their environmental behaviours in our tests.
- Measurable change - the program is built around measurement - it's part of the game!
- Creates a new identity as a Planet Protector - the children become characters in our story world - and they become real-life protectors of the planet, too! - with ID cards, certificates, and most importantly, the experience of actually changing the world!
- A laddered approach to change - we start with engagement and storytelling, then we deepen understanding, then we give the kids progressively harder missions where they can build on their successes.
- Changes include: energy and transportation issues. 90% of grade fours in our tests got their families to drive less!
What's included:
- Nine Modules of Fun Eco-Learning
- Access – to our online site, with classroom videos, easy program instructions, etc.
- Teachers’ Guide – Easy how-to guide, with background info, PLOs, additional activities, and more. Created by a teacher, for teachers.
- Classroom activities – fun, multi-learning style activities like drawing, acting, writing – solo and in teams.
- Videos - Online funny videos that guide you through the program
- Music - For the class to sing along to.
- Booklets – 16-page “Mission Books” for every child in your class
- Printables – Certificates, papercrafts, etc.
Interested? Get more Info:
Contact: Jenn Hogg jenn (at) dreamriderproductions.com
Our deepest gratitude to our fantastic, long-term supporters, who made this program possible:
