Transform Your Creative Ideas into ACTION
Transform Your
Creative Ideas into ACTION
” Stop drifting and start rowing.” Roz Savage
This past weekend I attended a conference and was not only reminded, but inspired that living delibertly is a choice. With so many ideas scribbled on paper, I found myself applying this concept to our STEAM Outdoors e-course. It is easy to get lost and not always know where to begin with so many creative ideas floating around. I find it is easier to make the to do lists and more difficult at times to take action. At the conference I was introduced to Roz Savage. She was the first woman to have rowed solo across 3 oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian. She inspired me to take action in creating my own Outdoor Classrooms Learning Lab. Learn more about Roz Savage TED Talk here.
In my quest to create an Outdoor Classrooms Learning Lab, I have found myself wrestling with creative ideas and how to put them all into action. I am slowly learning that I need create a practice, much like a farmer, and nurture these ideas daily until they come into fruition. Here are a few tips that might help with putting our STEAM Outdoors curriculum into action.
STEP 1: Write out your GOALS & VISIONS: Writing down your vision for your Outdoor Classroom is a very powerful experience. The more detail the better. Sharing your goals and visions with your STEAM Outdoors peers is the first step. Saying it outloud, writing it down and playing with the images in your mind is next. Brainstorming is beautiful! Here are a few samples from Natural Teachers from STEAM Outdoors class.
” To inspire children to love the natural world. To inspire teachers to feel comfortable in using a green house.” Shelly
” To fully incorporate all areas of learning using natural items.” Peggy
“Looking forward to expanding our learning environment with toddlers and preschoolers.” Jeanne
STEP 2: Create weekly tasks for PROJECTS & LESSONS: Break down your vision and come up with weekly projects for your Outdoor Classroom. Create a task list for each project. Projects can be as simple as adding a new blank book to your Little Free Library or painting letters and words on rocks for your Word garden. Find inspiration from the STEAM Outdoors Video’s in each Module. Brainstorm, play, adapt ideas and make them your own. I have a running list going.
- Create a new compost bin using wire
- Try out a Spiral Herb Garden with stones
- Add a new sign in book to the Little Free Library
- Create a Word Garden next to the Little Free Library
STEP 3: Take ACTION: Keep it simple. Take cues from the children. Play. Choose a project, Make a To Do list and GO! The key is to do a little each day.
STEP 4: Create a PRACTICE: Children’s Garden grow because they have been nurtured, fed and loved. Do the same. Come up with a practice that you can share with your children. Think like a farmer.
Share your to do list here. Share your action steps here. Be bold and take a picture and post your project! Make this Teaching in the Dirt: STEAM Outdoors e-course experience deliberate!
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In the past we have planted flowers in the classroom (the children are so proud of the flowers they grew – they often send us pictures after they bring their plants home) but this year I would love to try to start an edible garden with my students.
To Do List:
1. Talk with kids about different kinds of plants we could plant.
2. Figure out the right time to start planting the herbs, fall or spring time.
3. Talk about different uses for the herbs growing in the garden.
4. Create art connected with our garden.
5. Start planting and document the process.
Woot! Woot! You are on your way!! Take pictures along the way!
It is both a disadvantage and an advantage being out of school for the summer. I want to act on my ideas now but time away is definitely a great time to regroup, brainstorm, and plan. I have started a list.
1. Collect pieces of slate for an outdoor watercolor space.
2. Make a list of late summer/early fall blooming plants to add to garden.
3. Come up with an outdoor sign in for the children who don’t write yet.
I love this! Your energy is fantastic! Keep it up! The rewards will be when the children come back and the ease you will feel when you have everything already planned and thought through…
Step 1: To have children explore and learn about the outside world.
Step 2: To design an outside trellis
Step 3: Start putting together the outside trellis
Step 4: Explore the best plants to make this space useful and exploratory. Plant our plants.
My number one goal is to start planning an edible garden with my students.
To Do List:
1. Discuss with the students what kind of plants they want to plant.
2. After discussing the kinds of plants research with the kids what plants (like herbs) we can start planting indoors now and what will have to wait until spring.
3. Discuss what we should make with our edible garden.
4. Have the students create visuals (drawings, models out of clay, etc.) of what they think our garden should look like.
5. Start planting
Fabulous! I am so excited for you! At some point you may be interested in taking the Teaching in the Dirt: Designing Outdoor Classrooms e-course. It walks you through the process. I love how you are including the kids in every step of the way!
My “To Do” list for November:
1. continue to observe, measure, compare and nurture our indoor herb garden
2. visit our meadow area outdoors and introduce our new “willow hut”
3. use our large Maple tree to learn about changes & dormancy
4. have the children paint portraits of our Maple tree
Fantastic “To Do” list! Thanks for sharing. Want to dig a little deeper? Try to take this exercise one step further. Brainstorm how you might add STEAM activities to each of these outdoor experiences. Add a technology element and take pictures of each of these outdoor experiences. Post here and use this virtual classroom as your “accountability partner.”