Leaders Guide

Earth Connections Leader’s Guide

Connections to Our Earth: Exploring Maine’s Natural Resources

1. Introduction
2. Chapter 1: I Can Teach in the Outdoors
   1. The Leaders Role
      • You Don’t Have to Know It All
      • Develop a Sense of Wonder
      • Speak with More Than Just a Word
   2. Getting Started
      • Goals and Objectives
      • Field Trip Preparation Checklist
      • Setting Ground Rules
   3. Let’s Go
      • Discipline
      • Equipment and Materials
      • Teach with Questions
      • Introducing New Words
      • Introducing New Concepts
      • Analogies
      • Stories
      • Gimmicks
      • Quizzing
      • Using Dramatics
      • Using Props
      • Teachable Moments
   4. Final Comments
3. Chapter 2: Ecological Background – Setting a Foundation
   1. The Ecology of Ecosystems
      • Soil
      • Air
      • Water
      • Producers
      • Consumers
      • Decomposers
   2. Communities
   3. Summary
4. Chapter 3: Commoner’s Laws of Ecology
   1. Law 1
      • Everything is Connected to Everything Else
      • Food Chains and Food Webs
      • Competition
      • Predator-Prey Relationships
   2. Law 2
      • Everything Has to Go Somewhere
      • Life Support Cycles
        • Water Cycle
        • Nutrient Cycle
      • Energy Flow
   3. Law 3
      • Everything is Always Changing
      • Ecological Succession
      • Adaptation and Natural Selection
        • Physical or Structural Change
        • Behavioral Change
        • Metabolic Change
   4. Law 4
      • There is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
   5. Law 5
      • Everything Has Limits
   6. Summary
5. 4-H Earth Connection Activities
   1. Activity Cards
   2. Soil, Air & Water Exercises
6. Glossary
7. Acknowledgements