Celebrate Diversity and Earth Month this April

In April we celebration National Diversity Month and Earth Month. This month recognizes the diversity surrounding all of us – in nature, and in individuals. Here are a few resources on the Washington OER Hub you may find helpful should you choose to weave these themes into your classroom this April.     Animating Civic Action (4-12) | OSPI ClimeTime Resource Portal (K-12) | OSPI and ClimeTime Grantees Identity, Diversity, and Community (K-6) | Federal Way Public Schools Voices of Hope: Climate Science (4-7) | North Central Educational Service District Who Are We? Appreciating Diverse Backgrounds and Cultures Through Music (4-5) | Northshore School District Musical Explorers Digital (K-12) | Carnegie Hall Image by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong for Fine Acts x OBI | CC BY NC SA

2023 OSPI OER Project Grantee Showcase What to expect Discover open resources developed by OSPI OER Project grantees. Areas include: financial literacy, health, physical education, science, social studies, special education, and world languages. Who should attend? ESD partners Curriculum Directors Teachers Instructional Coaches Teacher-Librarians School Administrators Technology Specialists

Register and Save the Date for the Showcase 

Wednesday, May 24, 2003
3:00 - 5:00 pm (Pacific Time)
2 clock hours provided for Washington educators

Register here for the online event

Upcoming Grant Opportunity - OER Project Grant

To be considered for funding, proposals must come from a Washington school district, tribal compact school, ESD, or non-profit organization and address one of the following areas:

• Development/Adaptation: Complete the development/adaptation of an openly licensed unit (2–6 weeks—comprised of multiple lessons that build student understanding of a topic or theme) aligned to identified state learning standards.

OR

• Professional Learning: Provide synchronous or asynchronous professional learning for educators focused on one or more Washington-developed resources found on the OER Hub. Professional learning should be ongoing throughout the school year and include implementation of the resource with students.

The opportunity will be open in iGrants soon.

View and download a copy of the opportunity details. 

OER Project Grant Application
Walkthrough
May 4, 2023
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
REGISTER HERE

Recommended Resources

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, below are additional suggested resources from Washington OER Hub members for each grade band.  

Grades K-5 Becoming Protectors of the Earth | Washington Educational Service District 112 This 5th grade STEM Storyline Unit  is focused around Climate Justice, Over five NGSS aligned lessons and using the 5E model, students are presented with the ideas of environmental stewardship and restoration.

Grades 6-7 Explore the Salish Sea - Introduction: Task Force | The SeaDoc Society Killer Whale Task Force is the introduction to eight units in the Explore the Salish Sea Curriculum. Each unit contains a detailed unit plan, a slideshow, student journal, and assessments. All elements are adaptable and can be tailored to your local community.

Grades 9-12 Urban Forestry: Designing the Urban Forest for Ecosystem Benefits | Pacific Education Institute This is a solutions-oriented storyline that leads students through a series of investigations to quantify and qualify the ecosystem and social benefits of an urban forest. At the end of the storyline, students will be able to design, evaluate and refine a chosen solution for urban forest ecosystem benefits.

For More Information

Barbara Soots
Open Educational Resources Program Manager
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Email: barbara.soots@k12.wa.us

OER on Twitter | OER Commons

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.