Use signs, labels and links outdoors to enhance environmental literacy. Here are top tips for teachers and students using some cheap and easy techniques to make signs and labels outdoors and show "evidence of learning'.

1. Signs, Labels and Links
Mary Van Dyke
October 2015
Learning in the Landscape

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3. Reading the Landscape
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6. Legibility
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7. “Good design is good business”
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8. Environmental Literacy
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9. Making Signs, Labels and Links
Messages include:
• Instruct
• Identify
• Model
• Evidence of Learning
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10. Do’s

11. …and Don’ts

12. Be Positive!
PLEASE
TOUCH!
Please don’t lift me off the table
THANK YOU
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13. Identify
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15. Identify vs. Model
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16. Evidence of Learning
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17. Cheap & Easy
Techniques
• You design and get
shop to make
• DIY
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18. Laser-etched Plastic
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19. Printed Corrugated Plastic
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20. Carved Wood
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21. DIY Techniques
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22. Popsicle Sticks and Sharpies
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23. Other Techniques
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24. Board, Paint and Stake
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26. Adhesive Plastic ‘Paper’
Corrugated Plastic
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27. Polyester ‘Paper’
Galvanized Metal Holders
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28. 5 Steps to Make a Sign
1. 8.5 x 11 inch polyester ‘paper’ sheets
2. Metal Holders are horizontal
- Choices 11 x 7, 7 x 5, or 5 x 4 inch
3. Set document to finished sizes of holders
- Powerpoint more sophisticated
- Google Presentation easier to share
4. Laser print in color or black + white
5. Add blob of Goop to secure in holder (adult)

29. Color?
Links - QR Codes?
Mary Van Dyke

30. 5 Steps to Make a QR Code
1. Think of content and get the link
2. Go to a QR generator e.g. QRStuff.com
3. Enter your link to get QR Code
4. Use a QR shortener to simplify the QR Code
5. Download the QR Code and save as jpeg

31. Mobile-friendly
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32. Sign Design for Our School
• 5E’s Goals
– Easy to design
– Easy to produce
– Engage
– Educate
– Evidence of Learning
• Additional Goals
– Cheap
– Durable
for a season or two… The Courtyard
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33. Engage
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36. DRAFT

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40. Scan for
• Seasonal photos
• Plant list
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41. Weeping Cherry Garden
Ms Rowland’s Kindergarten
Scan for
● Seasonal photos
● Plant list
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42. The Potato Project Blog
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44. Four Sisters and Brothers Garden
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47. See Our Project
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48. Grow
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49. In the Courtyard
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50. Name and Sign Areas
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51. Signs for the Courtyard
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52. Language Links
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56. Bird Feeding Station
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57. ‘Signs of Life’ Project
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59. Next Steps
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60. Energy Cycles
• Solar energy
• Weather station
• Composting
• Water
• Greenhouse
Next Steps

61. The Environmental Literacy
Challenge
• Enable teachers to
“improve their ability
to use the environment
as a context for learning
in and out of the classroom”
• Enhance school-wide
sustainability efforts
within the SOL framework
Governor and Mrs McAuliffe at Pocahontas State Park
Planting Garden for Monarch Butterflies, April 22 2015

62. Thank You!
Mary Van Dyke
maryvandyke4@gmail.com
Resources at: https://goo.gl/tf0zH3
Mary Van Dyke