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Welcome 5
Exploring Nature in Winter e-Workshop
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0-1: HomeLecture1.1
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0-2: A Note From Victoria 30 minLecture1.2
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0-3: Introduction: Curiosity Questions 30 minLecture1.3
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0-4: Set Goals 30 minLecture1.4
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0-5: Become a “Winterscape” ResearcherLecture1.5
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Module 1: Embracing Winter 5
10 Nature-Based Activities
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1-1: Plan & Prep 30 minLecture2.1
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1-2: Discover Your Rhythm Outdoors 30 minLecture2.2
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1-3: Make a Winter Garden Journal 30 minLecture2.3
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1-4: Create a Winter Themed Children’s Library 30 minLecture2.4
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1-5: Winter Math Walk: Finding Math in NatureLecture2.5
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Module 2: Winter Inspired Classrooms 5
10 Nature-Based Activities
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2-1: The Cold Weather Outdoor Classroom 30 minLecture3.1
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2-2: Ten Nature-Based Winter Activities 30 minLecture3.2
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2-3: Behind the Scenes with Nicole Pelletier 30 minLecture3.3
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2-4: Natural Learning in the Outdoors in Winter: Virtual Workshop 30 minLecture3.4
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2-5: Bring Back the Life of Winter: Virtual WorkshopLecture3.5
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Module 3: Get Outside Rain for Shine 5
Winter Themed Children's Books
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3-1: Water Research: A Journal Entry 30 minLecture4.1
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3-2: Ten Nature-Based Winter Acticvities 30 minLecture4.2
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3-3: Behind the Scenes with Peter Dargatz 30 minLecture4.3
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3-4: Moments of Science 30 minLecture4.4
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3-5: Stay Outside Longer: Homemade Hot CocoaLecture4.5
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Module 4: Learning Rain or Shine 5
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4-1: Closing Circle: Guided Reflections 30 minLecture5.1
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4-2: Ten Nature-Based Winter Activities 30 minLecture5.2
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4-3: Collaboration Challenge 30 minLecture5.3
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4-4: Virtual Gathering 30 minLecture5.4
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4-5: Behind the Scenes with Megan GesslerLecture5.5
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23 Comments
We utilize a lot of the woods around our school where the children have oftentimes already created ‘forts’ previously in the school year. Watching them alter their play in these areas in the winter months is so much fun. The woods also offers a lot of great natural and organic exploration into animals with tracking, bird watching etc – we are near a river and have wonderful wildlife. We love to boot skate and slide. I LOVED the ‘wonder box’ ideas and can’t wait to create some of those for our playground. I think its such a fantastic jumping off point and invitation to explore further. Another goal of mine is to also think about how we can slightly alter our sand box during the winter months so it’s used more often. Once the sand is frozen the kiddos tend to lose interest and I’m excited to challenge my thinking and come up with other ideas for that space.
I love this reflection and how you are challenging yourself and setting goals. Wonderful to think of how you can alter existing spaces during different months. Awesome job!
I have many areas indoors and out that have loose nature items within. The challenge is thinking of new ways and ideas for their use. I know this class will help with that. I really haven’t put anything into the block area yet so that is a place I can focus on. Also I struggle to manage loose parts outside and haven’t found a way to best store them that fits our schedule, space, and structure of outdoor play time.
Have you thought of using milk crates to store loose parts? You can add laminated pictures and words to label them–so kids can “put them away when done. The beauty of natures loose parts is that if they are left outdoors–it feels ok and natural.
I loved the idea of the Natural Art ice garland. We are freezing grass seed in ice and will try the garland to drape on the trees.
We are still using shaped ice also through the end of the month, and the children are always curious to see what shapes will be there.
The ice “hunt” is always going on.
I love having an Outdoor Classroom at our school because we have so many areas that can be invitations to learn.
Our Mud kitchen has changed in that there is less to “stir in” because it is mostly frozen to the ground.
The children are being creative coming up with ideas. We have a gathering area of split logs that nestles in the edge of the woods.
The Teacher presents information to the group here, and then they are off to learn ! Looking for tracks and signs of animals in Nature is always a it. They love the Fairy Garden, and I loved the picture you showed of the stump. That solves our stump problem!!! I agree, Weezie’s Garden is a must see. You see something new every time you go! It is absolutely spectacular there.
Love!
I am inspired with adding more options and changing them out. I want to make a more intimate gathering space, right now we have a large auditorium style seating. I want to make one with stumps out by our forest. I would also like to see a weather station in our play yard and an art area. I don’t know what that looks like yet but I am excited to bring some of these ideas back to our team to brainstorm! There is so much to do and so little time.
I can hear the bubbling of ideas happening! Yea YOU! Can’t wait to see how all this comes to be.
I like the idea of putting things out on a table/ground – no explanation necessary- but an invitation to explore. As a facilitator of the experience, it is sometimes difficult to step back and let the children get into it and play and explore, and I try not to intervene with directions but instead watch and see what unfolds. Sometimes I find this challenging and I want to try to take a step back and let the children construct their own unique experience. The outdoor classroom certainly lends itself to that kind of experience – plenty of space, lots a materials, and loose parts.
As I was reading your post, I could feel as if there was a breath that offered more spaciousness is child’s play. Thank you for sharing.
such great ideas here! I really love the image of the stick with all the words written on leaves around it. I imagine that was a beautiful conversation leading up to that image! something I will definitely aim to try.
Ahhh….I never thought of what the conversation might have been leading up to this activity. Beautiful!
I also liked the stick with the leaves. I am thinking I might do this with words and pictures. What inspiration!
Seeds of Inspiration…one idea leads to the next. Have fun!
I love all the curiosity questions! They have me thinking! I love the wonder box idea, I am going to try it! And I love the story line idea as well, a new way to add literacy to the play space. Thank you!
TERRIFIC!!! You are on your way!
I LOVE the Wonder box!!! What a great idea to set up. I’m looking forward to sharing/posting a peek at our own little outdoor space on the Facebook group later.
Such a simple idea too! 🙂
I am going to do the glove gardens and the mandalas for sure might be fun to use nuts and berries and watch from our classroom to see what eats the mandala.
The Glove Garden is another favorite. Take pictures of the process as you will be amazed! I love the idea of adding nuts and berries to your outdoor Mandala. Another project where you can use photography–maybe even project your findings (picture journal) onto the wall indoors–if you have some sort of projector. I love how one idea can plant seeds for so many more ideas. Have fun with this one.
We’ve done the story stones with A Very Hungry Caterpillar also but her’s are beautiful. We do not have lots of room I love so the children would love bringing a branch in and putting birds nests in it and all the fabulous ideas for sticks!
Branches are a wonderful addition to any classroom. There are so many different activities you can draw from. I have included branches in many art shows. Also can keep the branch throughout the seasons and hang seasonal art. Love how your ideas are spinning on this snowy day! Keep up the great work and make sure you write down all these fabulous ideas so you have them. 🙂