2023 - 2024 Teacher Packet BASIC PARTNERSHIP
A Muddy Sneakers Basic Partnership information packet for teachers filled with resources, tips, and links that may be needed throughout the year.
A Muddy Sneakers Basic Partnership information packet for teachers filled with resources, tips, and links that may be needed throughout the year.
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<strong>BASIC</strong> <strong>PARTNERSHIP</strong> <strong>2023</strong> - <strong>2024</strong><br />
TEACHER<br />
INFO PACKET<br />
Muddy Sneakers is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit outdoor science education program<br />
serving North Carolina’s fifth-grade public school students.<br />
To learn more, visit www.muddysneakers.org.
WELCOME<br />
Dear <strong>Teacher</strong>s & Educators,<br />
It is my tremendous honor to welcome you to Muddy Sneakers. Whether this is your first year with us or<br />
you've been here since the beginning, we're grateful to join you as a partner in enriching the educational<br />
experience for your students.<br />
One of our goals at Muddy Sneakers is to be a resource not only for students, but also for our teachers.<br />
Experiential hands-on learning is at the core of our organization, and yet, we understand that the work we<br />
do begins and ends in the classroom with you. We hope that as we embark on this journey together, you<br />
find our team and programs just as rewarding and meaningful for you as they are for your students.<br />
In this packet, you'll find instructions and resources to help guide you through a year with Muddy Sneakers.<br />
While this is a valuable reference, we understand that nothing replaces a phone call or conversation while<br />
sharing a cup of coffee. Please reach out to our team at any point with questions or feedback.<br />
Thank you for trusting us with your time.<br />
We promise you a wonderful year of hands-on<br />
learning, connection to nature and peers, and if<br />
we're lucky, a few pairs of muddy sneakers.<br />
Partnership fees are underwritten by generous<br />
donations from foundations, businesses, and<br />
individuals. Please join us in thanking those who<br />
make Muddy Sneakers possible in your community.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Cody Bliss<br />
Director of Programs<br />
Muddy Sneakers, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization<br />
(tax identification number 26-0338084) under Section 501(c)(3) of the<br />
Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.<br />
3<br />
4<br />
YEAR AT A GLANCE<br />
NEXT STEPS<br />
Prepare for the year ahead<br />
CONTENTS<br />
2 <strong>PARTNERSHIP</strong> OVERVIEW 5<br />
PROGRAM ELEMENT<br />
DESCRIPTIONS<br />
9 SAFETY PREPAREDNESS<br />
&<br />
10 STUDENT BEHAVIOR
<strong>PARTNERSHIP</strong> OVERVIEW<br />
2<br />
Congratulations! You're enrolled in a <strong>BASIC</strong> <strong>PARTNERSHIP</strong>, which includes:<br />
3 Field Expeditions<br />
1 Live Online Virtual Sessions<br />
1 Schoolyard Expeditions<br />
5 Classroom Curriculum Units<br />
On-Call <strong>Teacher</strong> Coaching<br />
EOG Test Prep<br />
Access to NC State Data<br />
GET TO KNOW YOUR MUDDY SNEAKERS TEAM<br />
Name<br />
Phone<br />
Email<br />
Name<br />
Phone<br />
Email<br />
Name<br />
Phone<br />
Email<br />
Your Muddy Sneakers Program<br />
Manager will provide this info to<br />
your lead teacher in mid-August.<br />
Lead Instructor<br />
Program Manager<br />
Assistant Education Manager<br />
WHO TO<br />
CONTACT...<br />
To inquire about a Parent<br />
Orientation? Program Manager<br />
To schedule Student/<strong>Teacher</strong><br />
orientation? Lead Instructor<br />
To schedule (or reschedule)<br />
programs? Program Manager<br />
For tips on implementing Classroom<br />
Curriculum? Lead Instructor &<br />
Assistant Education Manager<br />
With feedback about virtual<br />
sessions? Assistant Education<br />
Manager<br />
With feedback about expeditions?<br />
Lead Instructor & Program Manager<br />
For on-call support with science<br />
instruction? Lead Instructor<br />
For assistance with grant-writing?<br />
Program Manager
YOUR YEAR AT A GLANCE 3<br />
JUNE - AUGUST<br />
Select your school's Lead <strong>Teacher</strong><br />
Confirm student enrollment numbers<br />
Schedule your Muddy Sneakers year<br />
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER<br />
Return completed participant forms<br />
Schedule and complete Student &<br />
<strong>Teacher</strong> Orientations<br />
Secure bus transportation &<br />
chaperones for expeditions<br />
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER<br />
Complete scheduled programs<br />
Utilize Classroom Curriculum<br />
DECEMBER<br />
Complete mid-year teacher survey<br />
Fall semester payment due<br />
JANUARY - MAY<br />
MAY<br />
Complete scheduled programs<br />
Utilize Classroom Curriculum<br />
Spring semester payment due<br />
Re-enroll for next year<br />
Schedule and complete EOG Test Prep<br />
Complete end-of-year teacher survey<br />
Facilitate end-of-year student survey<br />
FOLLOW & SHARE<br />
Throughout the year, we'll be sharing<br />
highlights of our work with community<br />
supporters on social media.<br />
We invite you to share photos, videos,<br />
and testimonials as well!<br />
Please tag Muddy Sneakers and/or use<br />
#muddysneakersnc to contribute to<br />
these efforts.
ENROLLMENT NEXT STEPS<br />
4<br />
BEFORE YOU BEGIN...<br />
Review pages 5 - 8 to familiarize yourself with all program elements.<br />
1 SCHEDULE YOUR PROGRAM YEAR<br />
Your school's Lead <strong>Teacher</strong> should schedule<br />
your entire program year with your Muddy<br />
Sneakers Program Manager as soon as<br />
possible to secure your preferred dates. Our<br />
calendars fill up quickly!<br />
Schools are responsible for<br />
providing transportation to &<br />
from expedition sites. We<br />
recommend making these<br />
arrangements as soon as dates<br />
are confirmed.<br />
SCHEDULING CHECKLIST<br />
DATE 1 DATE 2 DATE 3<br />
Student/<strong>Teacher</strong> Orientation<br />
3 Field Expeditions<br />
1 Schoolyard Expeditions<br />
1 Live Online Virtual Sessions<br />
EOG Test Prep<br />
2 RETURN COMPLETED PARTICIPANT FORMS<br />
Distribute and collect student participant<br />
forms and any payment required from<br />
students. Return printed participation forms<br />
to your Lead Instructor.<br />
Digital (Fillable) PDF (English)<br />
Digital (Fillable) PDF (Spanish)<br />
Printable PDF (English)<br />
Printable PDF (Spanish)<br />
Participation forms must be on file<br />
at the Field Office prior to your<br />
school’s first expedition.
LEARNING EXPEDITIONS OVERVIEW<br />
5<br />
FIELD EXPEDITION:<br />
Muddy Sneakers provides two types of learning expeditions:<br />
Field Expeditions and Schoolyard Expeditions.<br />
Full-day, off-campus learning expeditions<br />
that provide students with hands-on, realworld<br />
applications of the topic of the day<br />
while benefitting from the proven benefits<br />
of learning outside and connecting with<br />
nature on local preserved lands.<br />
Topics, locations, and dates are<br />
selected by your Lead <strong>Teacher</strong><br />
and Lead Instructor.<br />
SCHOOLYARD EXPEDITION:<br />
Full-day or half-day learning expeditions on<br />
the schoolyard that provide students with<br />
hands-on, real-world applications of the<br />
topic of the day while benefitting from the<br />
proven benefits of learning outside.<br />
EXPEDITION RESOURCES<br />
Muddy Sneakers Outdoor<br />
Expedition Guide<br />
Printable Packing List<br />
Chaperone Overview &<br />
Expectations<br />
INCLEMENT WEATHER ON EXPEDITION DAYS<br />
Inclement weather includes a high<br />
probability of one or more of the<br />
following:<br />
significant rain<br />
thunderstorms (including microbursts)<br />
wind chill at or below freezing for<br />
most of the day<br />
Rescheduling due to weather is decided by<br />
the Lead Instructor & Lead <strong>Teacher</strong>, usually<br />
by 5pm the day before. A new date should<br />
be set within 24 hours of cancellation.<br />
Muddy Sneakers reserves the sole right to<br />
cancel based on threatening forecasts or<br />
conditions.
6<br />
FIELD EXPEDITION TEACHER CHECKLIST<br />
Ensure signed Student Participation Forms have been submitted for each student.<br />
Secure bus transportation.<br />
Ensure lunches are prepared for students who do not regularly bring lunch to school.<br />
Recruit chaperones (1 per 12 students).<br />
Divide students equally into groups of 12 or fewer. Within groups, assign partners.<br />
Review Safety & Behavior Expectations with students (page 10).<br />
2 DAYS BEFORE EXPEDITION<br />
Remind students of packing list.<br />
Review and confirm information in the logistics email received from your Lead Instructor.<br />
Confirm availability of bus transportation, lunches, and chaperones*<br />
1 DAY BEFORE EXPEDITION<br />
Review weather forecast & remind students of necessary materials & appropriate layers<br />
DAY OF EXPEDITION<br />
Direct the bus driver using the directions sent by the MS Lead Instructor<br />
Upon arrival, the Instructors will direct the bus to parking & a safe student unloading area<br />
Learn alongside your students, assist Instructors in having a successful day, and enjoy!<br />
1 chaperone per 12 students<br />
is REQUIRED.<br />
Notify your Lead Instructor prior to departure if<br />
you cannot meet that ratio.<br />
Students unprepared to<br />
be outdoors cannot attend.<br />
Be sure each student has all items on the<br />
packing list before loading buses.
MUDDY SNEAKERS LIVE! ONLINE<br />
7<br />
During these virtual sessions, a Muddy<br />
Sneakers Instructor will join each enrolled<br />
5th grade classroom remotely via the video<br />
platform of your choice to facilitate a<br />
learning session, lasting approximately one<br />
hour, on the topic of the day.<br />
Muddy Sneakers LIVE! Online<br />
Virtual Programs Guide<br />
Topics, dates and times are<br />
selected by your Lead <strong>Teacher</strong><br />
and Lead Instructor.<br />
MUDDY SNEAKERS LIVE! ONLINE TEACHER CHECKLIST<br />
Confirm logistics, including dates, times, and links<br />
Set up classroom technology for a Muddy Sneakers Instructor to join class virtually (either<br />
projecting the session from teacher computer onto a large screen, or connecting students<br />
on individual devices).<br />
Supply appropriate materials & links to any 5th students joining the classroom virtually<br />
(provided to your Lead <strong>Teacher</strong> the week prior to session) .<br />
Print out or gather required session materials for students.<br />
Ensure at least one classroom teacher/chaperone is present during sessions.<br />
EOG TEST PREP<br />
A Muddy Sneakers Instructor will facilitate a one hour test review for each 5th grade class either<br />
in-person at your school or through an interactive online learning platform.<br />
MUDDY SNEAKERS EOG TEST PREP TEACHER CHECKLIST<br />
Confirm logistics, including date, location, and times.<br />
Join your students to observe all they have learned and retained this year!
CLASSROOM CURRICULUM<br />
8<br />
Muddy Sneakers Classroom Curriculum<br />
consists of 8 units aligned with all 8 NC 5th<br />
grade essential science standards, as well as<br />
integration of 5th grade Social Studies, ELA<br />
and Math Standards:<br />
1. Energy<br />
2. Forces & Motion<br />
3. Matter<br />
4. Weather<br />
5. Living Systems<br />
6. Inheritance & Adaptation<br />
7. Terrestrial Ecosystems<br />
8. Biomes & Ecosystem Relationships<br />
Each unit includes 10+ distinct lessons for<br />
facilitation in the classroom, on the<br />
schoolyard, or as homework.<br />
Activities integrate exploration, observation,<br />
experimentation and hands-on learning.<br />
Lessons include goals, standards met,<br />
material lists, facilitation notes, and printable<br />
student pages. In addition, teachers receive<br />
information about suggested scaffolding of<br />
lessons as introductory or review, lessons<br />
well-suited for Substitute Plans, lessons to<br />
be facilitated outdoors, and lessons that<br />
work well as homework.<br />
Partners may use Muddy Sneakers<br />
Classroom Curriculum and<br />
resources/materials only as<br />
intended, disseminating this<br />
material only to students enrolled<br />
in the program and only for the<br />
<strong>2023</strong>-24 school year.<br />
<br />
Other parties expressing an interest<br />
in a Muddy Sneakers partnership<br />
and/or use of any associated<br />
materials should be referred to<br />
Muddy Sneakers for enrollment.<br />
<br />
The sharing of contracted<br />
Muddy Sneakers material is<br />
strictly prohibited.<br />
Links to Classroom Curriculum modules are<br />
provided to your Lead <strong>Teacher</strong> at the<br />
beginning of the school year. Muddy<br />
Sneakers LIVE! Online student sheets are<br />
distributed a week prior to the online<br />
session.
SAFETY & PREPAREDNESS<br />
9<br />
Providing a safe learning environment for all<br />
participants is Muddy Sneakers' top priority.<br />
Field Instructors are trained on and practice<br />
emergency procedures which utilize<br />
guidelines/recommendations from leading<br />
outdoor learning organizations, such as:<br />
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor<br />
Ethics<br />
National Outdoor Leadership School’s<br />
(NOLS) Wilderness Medicine Institute<br />
American Camp Association<br />
Outward Bound<br />
Instructors will review emergency<br />
procedures (including scenarios like<br />
discovering an active bees’ nest, seeing a<br />
snake, or encountering unanticipated<br />
weather) to empower participants to think<br />
critically about their own well-being and<br />
make appropriate decisions to maintain their<br />
own safety and comfort in the woods.<br />
HOW SHOULD I DRESS?<br />
Closed-toe shoes<br />
Weather-appropriate attire<br />
Sunscreen/bug spray<br />
(optional); apply prior to arrival<br />
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?<br />
Lunch/snacks<br />
2 full bottles of water<br />
Pen/pencil & notebook<br />
Extra layers of clothing<br />
Sunscreen/bug spray (optional)<br />
Thanks for your support in the instruction of<br />
and, when needed, implementation of these<br />
emergency procedures.<br />
All Field Instructors are Wilderness First Aid and Child and Adult CPR-certified.<br />
A NOTE ABOUT WEATHER PREPAREDNESS<br />
Schools will not be asked to participate in<br />
an expedition if Muddy Sneakers staff feel<br />
conditions are unsafe. However, due to the<br />
nature of learning outside, students may<br />
encounter various weather conditions.<br />
Physical comfort and safety is critical;<br />
therefore, if unpreparedness poses a<br />
significant or immediate safety concern,<br />
students will be asked to stay at - or return<br />
to - school.<br />
If there are significant student barriers to weather preparedness that cannot be solved within the school<br />
community, please contact your Muddy Sneakers Field Office to discuss options/support.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS<br />
10<br />
Muddy Sneakers serves as an extension of the classroom. As such, students are<br />
expected to behave as if they are in their classrooms.<br />
PLEASE DO<br />
DO NOT:<br />
DO NOT<br />
Follow instructors' directions the<br />
first time.<br />
Stay with the group.<br />
Run only when permitted &<br />
appropriate.<br />
Be prepared to learn, with a field<br />
journal & writing utensil.<br />
Show respect to the environment,<br />
instructors, chaperones, peers &<br />
self.<br />
Be engaged during lessons &<br />
activities.<br />
Take care of supplies/gear.<br />
Talk while the instructor, another<br />
adult, or peer is speaking.<br />
Engage in rough play and/or<br />
disrespect towards others.<br />
CONSEQUENCES<br />
Behavior that negatively affects<br />
Muddy Sneakers' daily objectives<br />
(safety, learning, fun) may result<br />
in removal from current & future<br />
expeditions.<br />
STUDENT BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES<br />
Please share any behavior management<br />
strategies that have been successful in the<br />
classroom with your Muddy Sneakers Lead<br />
Instructor, so these practices may be<br />
continued in the field.<br />
If there are attention-getters or behavior<br />
rewards/consequences in place at school,<br />
it can be helpful for students to hear the<br />
same expectations and language outside<br />
the classroom.