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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: Make Homemade Hot CocoaLecture4.5
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Module 4: Learning Rain or Shine 6
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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 Workshop 30 minLecture5.4
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4-5: Emergent Curriculum with Megan GesslerLecture5.5
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BONUS Virtual CallLecture5.6
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8 Comments
One way we shared the enthusiasm amongst our team members was that we decided that each kindergarten group will choose a meeting spot in the forest. This has become the headquarters of the classes where we had great discussions and reflections about our experiences in the forest. Our kids even decided to make flags that represent our love for the forest and our feeling of community with all the living things around us. They painted and even got to try to saw their own little flags with some help so they could be laced on a string that we tied between two tall trees. We found cozy tree stumps to sit on, it was just magical. Our idea was that we return to this place weekly to observe the changes in nature as the weather changes and record our observation into our forest journal we made.
I love the flags! The ‘seeds of inspiration” are spreading.
We always discuss a lot with my teaching partner about outdoor learning. We go out to the forest every week and most of the time we have a plan what to do with the kids there. I got many ideas from this class also. We mostly follow the kids interest. We had a dream as we are getting closer to Spring to find our own space in the forest and always go back there and check how the area is changing as the weather is changing. We set up an area what we liked and named it Puffball Park since we are the Puffballs :o) The plan was to go back every week and check what is different, looking for signs of Spring. (Unfortunately, now all school closed so we cannot go back.) I know other classes has chosen their own area in the forest as well.
Yes…this is a very sad time indeed. I love the idea of naming a part of the forest. This makes the experience for children that much more significant. Is there any way to have access to the forest and take pictures and send them to the children virtually. That would be an interesting discussion.
There is a lot I would like to do with my outdoor space but the biggest thing right now is to create a gathering space. Many years ago 2 trees fell in my yard and I used the cut up logs to make a fabulous space. This lasted quite a few years but eventually the logs broke down. I think this is something I can look to my community to get. In the meantime we have mats we bring out but that doesn’t work well in the snowy conditions.
Another goal is to make the yard more bird friendly so with my 2 colleagues we can brainstorm how that can be done year round and see if it can be implemented in the near future.
Fantastic!! Love that you are already thinking about how to refresh your gathering space and also how to attract more birds and wildlife to your outdoor space. These simple thoughts will slowly manifest into your teaching outdoors and capture your children’s enthusiasm. Brilliant! Job well done.
I took the inspiration and motivation I gained here on the go with me as we kicked off our first session this year of my nature based playgroup. While I always had activities in tow, this year (inspired by this class), I also created and brought along a “Little Traveling Nature Library,” a collection of resources, field guides and theme related books for all ages and hands-on materials for nature observation, natural loose parts and a sample “nature on the go kit” to go along with the activity (a stick bound nature journal as demonstrated in class). As much as I am the creator and leader in the group, I also see the community members who join us as valuable sources in collaboration and inspiration–the kids included! One of our very young members (age 2) used shaped tree blocks and tree circles to trace shapes in her new journal–what a great idea! I came with a 15 page book I created of ideas of things to do with sticks–watching the children play, I gained about 739 more pages worth! Long term, I’d like the group to run through the winter as well, even if we utilize an indoor venue for nature based activities. The gears are turning…
Fantastic! Love that you have a nature based playgroup that you will be aiming to run through the winter as well. This is music to my ears.