Montgomery County Public Schools

Outdoor and Environmental Education → Instructional Programs → Residential Programs

Grade 6 Residential Program

Sixth graders at each middle school in MCPS participate in a three-day, two-night residential outdoor environmental education program. While in residence, students study various aspects of the local environment as they participate in outdoor investigations that are directly connected to the grade six curriculum and the MSDE environmental education standards. Students are accompanied by their teachers, who, in collaboration with an OEEP staff member, provide instruction and supervision during their stay.

Watch video in Spanish  Programa de Educación Ambiental al Aire Libre

Sites and Accommodations

Depending on the size of the student body and scheduling, schools will visit one of three environmental education sites for their residential program. The LE Smith Center is an MCPS facility operated for MCPS students by MCPS staff. In addition, each year we contract with two additional sites that are privately owned. Although they are privately owned, MCPS teachers conduct the program the entire time MCPS students are attending the Residential program. Contact your school to learn which site your school has been assigned.

Curriculum

During their stay, students participate in a variety of lessons and activities that support the Montgomery County Public Schools curriculum. Instruction focuses on environmental studies and science, while integrating math, reading, world studies, and physical education. Each school determines its own instructional schedule and classes. Generally, students will participate in four to five of the lessons listed below as well as evening activities. Classes are led by staff from the school and the outdoor environmental educator.

Lesson Options

Stream/Pond Investigation	Students investigate the complex interactions within the local watershed and work in groups to assess the health of a nearby stream or pond. Google Classroom code for Training Resources: yrsrhkg   (Download Flipchart for instruction here or in this Classroom) Google Classroom code for Student Resources: y7qwn18
Exploring the Watershed Using Map and Compass	Working in groups, students conduct a field survey of the surrounding forest and riparian buffers in the local watershed using maps and compasses for navigation.
Treasure Earth	Working in groups, students will collect data on our natural resources through geocaching. Google Classroom code for Instructional Materials: i6iaf3
Predator/Prey Relationships	Students explore the predator-prey relationships that animals exhibit in our local ecosystem by participating in an outdoor simulation.
Tree Identification Using GPS	Working in groups, students use dichotomous keys to identify the tree species and use GPS units to navigate to the marked trees.
Patterns of Settlement	Working in groups, students collect environmental and geographic data to decide which location has the best settlement potential by using GPS units to navigate to several assigned locations. Goggle Classroom code for  Instructional Materials: jeo4uf
Confidence Course	Students participate in a series of mentally and physically challenging team and individual events designed to strengthen teamwork, cooperation and self-esteem.
Student Service Learning (SSL)	Students participate in an environmental SSL lesson during the outdoor environmental education program. Topics for the stewardship lessons include habitat improvement, energy conservation, and protecting natural resources.  Google Classroom code for Instructional Materials: 3h1fzq
Evening Activities
	Instruction does not end when the sun goes down! After dinner students participate in various outdoor and indoor activities determined by the school.