2015 Round Up: A Year in Review

This past year has been filled with new people, places and adventures big and small. My 2015 mantra has been to TRUST PROGRESS. This time last year, I couldn’t even imagine how the year would unfold. All I knew is that I needed to trust myself and dive in. It only seems fitting to close out this year with a 2015 Round Up for Outdoor Classrooms.

I have never done an exercise like this and have many people to thank for helping me reach these milestones! Building our community of Natural Teachers has been an incredible journey.

BLOG: So what happened this year on The Seedling? Within a total of over 40 posts, we learned a lot about best practices for teaching outdoors: How to Create Outdoor Curriculum Kits, the Key Elements for Pop Up Outdoor Classrooms and how to Choose a Nature Based Children’s Book.

GARDEN OF THE MONTH: I have to say, I love collecting Garden Stories! This year I met so many new garden friends all over the world and learned about their Outdoor Classrooms, Children’s Gardens & Community Programs. These stories feed me. Each story cultivates wonder, curiosity and playful learning outdoors. A few featured gardens include: Slow Food, Shamrock Gardens Elementary, Charlotte, N.C. & The Teaching Gardens of Saint Michael’s College. Thank you to all the 2015 featured Gardens of the Month.

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY: In 2014 we installed Our Little Free Library at the end of our driveway. We installed a Little Chalkboard. I had no idea how the ripples would spread in 2015. What happens If you Give a Teacher A Little Free Library? Little mini Outdoor Classrooms everywhere!  Thanks to all the Little Free Library Stewards! 

E-COURSES: Launching three e-courses took up most of my time. I thank the original group of Natural Teacher who joined me in my first e-course: Teaching in the Dirt: Designing Outdoor Classrooms. We had lot’s of fun and learned a ton! I trusted and launched a second e-course: Teaching in the Dirt: STEAM Outdoors. A big thank you to those Natural Teachers that joined us. COMING SOON! My third e-course, Becoming a Natural Teacher: A Road Map!

WORKSHOPS: Facilitating live Outdoor Classrooms Workshops is always a treat! This year has been especially enriching and has given me an opportunity to meet so many Natural Teachers in person and see their Outdoor Classroom space. I am filled with gratitude for these opportunities.

“I just visited a preschool program in Georgetown and one of the teachers was excited to show me the “outdoor” classroom she set up as a result of participating in the workshop you provided at NECC last spring!” Gail Feigenbaum, M.Ed/ ECE Coordinator/Northern Essex Community College

GREATEST HITS OF 2015

• You Are Here Rock Check In
• Garden in a Glove
• If You Give a Teacher A Little Free Library
• DYI Bird Seed Ice Ornaments

THANK YOU to everyone who joined me on the Outdoor Classrooms Facebook Page Facebook in 2015.  I look forward to sharing a playful 2016 with you all. Looking forward to growing this great community of gardeners, farmers, teachers, parents, cooks, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Tell me, what are your Outdoor Classroom goals for 2016?  What would you like to learn more about?  What would you like to improve or implement? 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I welcome 2016 with a new mantra: A Curiosity Driven Year! What if?