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Welcome Center
A Welcome Message For You
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0-1: Welcome! Please Introduce Yourself 30 minLecture1.1
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0-2: A Note from Victoria 30 minLecture1.2
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0-3: Share a goal or intention for this class 30 minLecture1.3
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Module One: Strengthen Your Professional Identity as a Natural Teacher
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1-1: Create Goals and Intentions 30 minLecture2.1
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1-2: Five Steps to Prepare your Foundation for the Best Year Yet 30 minLecture2.2
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1-3: Get Curious with Montessori, Waldorf & Reggio 30 minLecture2.3
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1-4: Use Nature as a Guide: Wonder Based Teaching 30 minLecture2.4
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Module Two: Create Your Map of Intention
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2-1: Five Stages to Intentional Teaching Outdoors 30 minLecture3.1
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2-2: Five Tracks for Your Road Trip to Become a Natural Teacher 30 minLecture3.2
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2-3: Learn from our National Parks: America’s Largest Outdoor Classroom 30 minLecture3.3
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2-4: Harvest Your Manifesto & Create a Vision Board 30 minLecture3.4
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2-5: Workshop #1: RecordingLecture3.5
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Module Three: Nurture A Garden Practice: The Transformation
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3-1: Growth through Gardening with Bobbie Mabe 30 minLecture4.1
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3-2: Ten Life Lessons for Outdoor Classrooms 30 minLecture4.2
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3-3: Become an Advocate of Nature-Based Teaching 30 minLecture4.3
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3-4: I Wonder Why: Claire Warden Keynote at Wow Conference 30 minLecture4.4
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Module 4: Behind the Scenes
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4-1: Live Workshop #2: Closing Circle 30 minLecture5.1
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4-2: Behind the Scenes with Jessica Kagle from Kestrel Educational Adventures 30 minLecture5.2
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4-3: Behind the Scenes with Lara Lepionka from Backyard Growers 30 minLecture5.3
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4-4: Put it all Together: What next? 30 minLecture5.4
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4-5: Workshop #2: RecordingLecture5.5
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60 Comments
During my travelling years as an adventurous at the time 20 something year old, I had the pleasure of visiting some truly magical National Parks in America. A big stand out for me was Zion National Park. I have never been to a place that was so raw. The narrows are simply breath taking. Putting my feet into those waters in the middle of the blazing heat of the day while looking up at the incredible rock formations will stay with me forever. And the Angels landing hike just wow!! I wish I had more time there.
I had no idea that teaching resources and programs were available for teachers from the national parks how awesome I will be looking this up.
Mountain Biking is a passion of mine and I feel that I get to see some places in the back country that not many people would experience, like I am the only person in the world (that kind of feeling of wow is this what the moon feels like?). When I think of National Parks that I have visited near where I live the Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia comes to mind hiking and camping in the summer time are my favourite things to do in this special place, I have always found volcanic rock so fascinating yet I often feel that taking things (rocks, plants and fossils) away from nature to bring things into the classroom is not the right thing to do. Just being there is a gift and I really want my children that I care for to also feel this.
I currently work with children who are 2.5 years to 5 years. Unfortunately we do not have access to a vehicle to be able to visit some of the beautiful National Parks that we have in our area. Our school however is surrounded by protected forest that is walking distance we spend many hours exploring and learning in.
When our families do camping or road trips they will often share there stories with pictures, we love hearing all about them especially in the summer time. I am hoping to gain more ideas to make this more meaningful.
Your passion leaps off the page! I have gone to Zion with my family. A fantastic experience! I too felt it was one of my favorites. Sharing stories, pictures, and so on with your littles is a gift within itself. Keep up the great work.
National Parks are just breathtaking. I have been to Manning Park National Park many times with my family. We took long hikes, canoe rides and just hung around in nature in our hammocks. I love camping and exploring nature. That is why I am taking this course, to share my love and passion for the great outdoors.
We have also explored Porteau Cove by the eastern shore of Howe Sound. We spent most of our time on the rocky beach looking at the mini crabs and other small creatures hidden under and around the barnacle covered rocks.
Years back when I was working with children 6-12 we took a group of 25 children to Porteau cove and walked along the rocky shore, taking note of the different shapes of the rocks; trying to find rocks that looked like everyday objects. We dipped our toes in the water and commented on the temperature and then talked about what lives in the water. So many lovely memories.
Stawamus Cheif Provincial Park is another park we have explored. It is a granitic dome located adjacent to the town of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. It towers over 700 m above the waters of nearby Howe Sound. It is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world.We climbed to the top of the mountain and had a picnic overlooking the water. Just beautiful.
Unfortunately I cannot visit National Parks with my current students (2.5-5). I do not have a vehicle to transport them and the drive is quite long and I always have to keep nap time in my mind. I can however share the parks through pictures and discussion. Many children go camping in National Parks, so we can definitely start a conversation.
Yes…it’s all about translating that love for the outdoors–and our National Parks to our “littles”. Sharing pictures and stories and connecting them to our own outdoor spaces is a sensational place to start! The National Parks also offer a wonderful array of resources for teachers. Have fun!
I have had the pleasure of visiting Joshua Tree, Shenandoah , and Acadia and have loved each immensely. The differences in each were astounding, and while Shenandoah and Acadia are more like what I have grown up with, Joshua Tree was so unlike any ‘park’ I had ever visited.
As kids, my family would go on yearly trips with my extended family, and we would pick a destination and make stops along the way at various historical or natural sight seeing areas. The last trip we went on brought us across the Trans-Labrador highway (Canada) where we drove one day 10 hours between towns, with nothing but wilderness in between. The next day was 12 hours of the same. It was amazing. We have driven on coastal roads for hours in different parts of the US, driven across country where we stared at flat fields for hours. It is truly amazing to visit areas different than what we are used to and everyone should do it as well as explore close to home.
Sounds awesome!
I have so many memories of trips to National Parks, from Kejimkujik in Nova Scotia, Acadia, White Mountain, and Green Mountain, to Yosemite, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Arches. I have been hiking with my now young adult children since they were babies. From rattlesnakes and brown bears, from oceans to beautiful red rock arches, they have all made an incredible impression. Rafting on the Green River in Utah was so amazing. Coming home with red stained hiking boots from the hikes in the west was a sweet memory. The differences in geography and geology between east and west is particularly impressionable, and is something that I would think about as a natural teacher.
I have never been to a national park. I have seen many virtual touring being offered during this time and I think I will take up on the opportunity!
The most recent National Park I went to is the Boston Harbor Islands. It was a great experience-you are on an island with all kind of plant life and you can see the city in the distance. My nephew was with us. I’m going to use the idea of visiting National Parks as inspiration for how to connect the children in my class to nature. My school is in Boston’s Back Bay. The nature we have near us is cultivated by humans, but still provides a wonderful sensory experience. We’re down the street from the Public Garden. I would like to visit the Public Garden weekly. When I’m back at school I’m going to talk with my coteacher about it. Maybe we could have a “morning in the garden” each week. We’re also close to the Esplanade, which is another beautiful outdoor space we could take advantage of.
LOVE! Morning on the Esplanade! What a wonderful idea! Let me know how it goes.
I have been truly blessed! I grew up in Maine and went to Acadia national park often. There is nothing like the rugged Maine coast that brings me more of a sense of calm and home.
My father lived in New Mexico and when we would visit him we’d go on road trips to the Grand Canyon or Carlsbad Caverns .The grand Canyon is amazing but Carlsbad Carverns stand out in my memory even more. Maybe the mystery of the bats and the caves..who knows but I’ve always wanted to go back there with my family.
Such a rich resource to add to your teaching philosophy.
I have been to national parks including Yunque National Rainforest in PR and several diff hiking trails in the White Mountains of NH. Will try to bring that experience to our garden where everyone can engage and start a new conversation.
Wonderful!
I have been to several national parks including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia, and going down the Snake river in a raft. I loved my experiences, each place had so much to offer. I remebber standing near a waterfull and felt as though I was being pulled in, the water was so powerful. On the snake river one of the guides reached into the water and pulled out a fish! He released the fish quickly.
The experience of visiting these magical places truly deepened my love for the natural world.
Wonderful…this will come through in your teaching.
Have you been to a National Park? I have been to Acadia once, and Redwood State park in California. They left a lasting impression on me
If so, which one? Describe your experience? Redwoods are so amazing, we walked through the park, feeling very small! I took my kids to Acadia – a quick stop on our way somewhere else – and camping there was actually on our list this summer. It probably won’t happen now, sadly. My younger is going to be in 4th grade next year and 4th graders get free admission to all national parks – we are hoping to take advantage of it next year!
Have you taken children to a National Park? My own, to Acadia.
If so, what was the experience like? They loved the views and the nature, and were looking forward to going back.
How can you use National Parks resources in your own Outdoor Classroom? I use a lot of non-fiction books in mt preschool classroom, we talk about the pictures and I read bits of information that are developmentally appropriate. Many of them are about the parks. The educator resources on the national parks website are vast and many of the lower elementary lessons can be adjusted for preschool! I look forward to exploring this amazing resource as I plan my curriculum for next year!
Wonderful! I never understood why they only allow 4th graders FREE admission. It seems like it should be all children. Wonderful experiences…
I have not been to a National Park, but I think that bringing them virtually would be a good idea.
YES!!! They also have fabulous resources for teachers.
I have never been to a national park, but I have always wanted to go to one. I live out in the Berkshires so I see a good amount of mountains, woods and wildlife….but I would love to witness it from a national park point of view because even though they have a lot on common I feel that they are completely different.
Nice.
When my sister lived in Los Angeles I went to Joshua tree National Park. It was amazing, almost spiritual. I have never taken any children as I have worked with toddlers and now babies, and have none of my own kids.I am not sure how I can use the resources at the moment, but I am sure that I could figure out a way too.
Great to be open-minded!
I have never been to a National Park nor have I ever taken children to a national park. But I would love to either go to a National Park or bring one virtually to the classroom if we couldn’t get to one and really try to show the children what it’s about. We’ve been lucky enough to have a yearly zoo trip and there’s a lot of nature around there that we could kind of consider that close to a National Park. The children enjoy seeing the animals and nature around us. I try the best I can.
Even the resources that the National Parks offer for teachers virtually is amazing! Something to take advantage of.
I haven’t been to any of the national parks before but seeing these beautiful photos makes me want to travel more
Wonderful. A great resource we can use on-line too.
Have you been to a National Park? Unfortunately, I haven’t been to any national park in the United States but I have been to a few in Mexico. It was a blast. I went there with family which also included my 12 years old nephew and 17 years old niece and they loved it so much. They don’t get to do that much over here at school as it’s mentioned in the article, students now a days barely spend time outside and are always indoors missing out on the beauty of outdoors and nature.
If so, which one? Describe your experience? I’ve been to Tulum National Park, Xcaret Nature park and a few more I do not remember the names. It was beyond gorgeous. We saw the Mexican culture through the park, water, animals, trees and so much more.
Have you taken children to a National Park? I haven’t taken my students to any national park and after viewing this video, I am really hoping we get the opportunity to do so.
How can you use National Parks resources in your own Outdoor Classroom? We can plant trees, flowers, plants, fruits or vegetables. We can also go for walks around the nature and explore the possibilities.
Sounds absolutely amazing! Use the resources on-line. They are fabulous and I often think they are just sitting there. Not all of us can visit the national parks, but we can take advantage of sharing these places in the world virtually.
Have you been to a National Park? I have been to the Grand Canyon. It was actually one of my favorite places that I have been to so far. Although I didn’t get as much time to explore it as I would have liked I felt being able to see the sheer size and breathtaking views altered the way I thought about the Grand Canyon and nature in that area as a whole. I was fortunate enough to have been able to bring my nieces on that trip with me so they were able to see it and add on their own questions and develop opinions about it. Although I wouldn’t be able to bring students to the grand canyon I can definitely use a water and sand table to create fun experiments to model how the canyon was created and give the kids alternate ideas on how to think of naturally forming habitats.
Great! Pulling what you can from these amazing experiences and applying and adapting them to your work with children will change the way you teach. Great job.
I grew up in Puerto Rico island around flowers, trees and forest but I have been not have visit any national park in the USA yet ,but after watching this video motivate me to visit them .Planning excursion With children will be a great idea .
You will have such a wonderful perspective. You have stories from Puerto Rico that many of us don’t have. I’m sure they would love to hear them.
I have been to the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) State forest close by my home, in Goshen, MA several times a year to camp overnight and to fish or to swim. I purchase a state park pass each year and my daughter and I go to a different local park or beach each day throughout most of the summertime.
My family recently went on a dinner train ride through the white maintains, slept up in a tree house for two nights while there, and then took our truck to the top of mount Washington. It’s amazing up there. Such a change in weather from top to bottom. You actually feel like you could fall off of the mountain and roll uncontrollably to the bottom non stop. Lol We hiked a couple of shorter trails on mount Washington. It’s neat to see and experience the climate changes as you climb the mountain and the change in the ecosystems as the elevation changes.
I have also been to the Grand Canyon in Arizona many years go with my husband and two boys. I remember how standing on the top edge of the canyon literally took my breath away. There was not even a fence or a guard of any type to keep us away from the very edge and I remember feeling as if my children or my husband were going to fall off of the edge of the canyon, never to be seen again. We took a helicopter into the base of the canyon and then hiked a bit from the landing spot to camp there overnight. We also took a hot air ballon over Sedona Arizona together as a family. I have been on so many hikes, camping trips year round, and adventures outdoors. Fishing trips, ice fishing, deep sea fishing, spear fishing while scuba diving, snorkeling in dark caves with nothing but a water proof headlamp to see with while in Mexico, hand feeding sting rays in Grand Cayman, and skydiving many times locally. So many adventures but how to share these experiences with the children is the challenge, especially when you can’t take them there yourself.
I looked through the resources available on the National Park services site and posted a link for composting with children onto our class facebook page. There is certainly a lot of resources available on there but that was the closest thing that I could find having to do with setting up a texture garden with toddlers. I could not believe just how much information was on this site! So very much. There are activities and plans and kits that you can borrow with real artifacts. So much!
Also, I looked into the Junior Ranger Program and found a link to a great resource for children ages 5-13 on fishing in the area, safety while fishing, labeling the gear used to fish, identifying fish in local waters, along with an downloadable/printable activity book for children that I posted on a local hunting and fishing site that I belong too. (Yes, I do hunt as well) I have bear, deer, fox, coyotes, moose, fisher cats, turkeys, and all sorts of birds almost daily right in my back yard, pretty close up. I love where I live. I grew up here, way out in the woods with hundreds of acres of wood land. My 13 year old daughter always says that we don’t appreciate it enough because we get to experience it everyday and we take it for granted. It is an hour drive for me into work each day, each way. It’s a beautiful drive with lots of time to think and plan my day as I drive.
At my center, where I teach, we do not go on field trips that are not within walking distance. So we can not visit a local National park. All of the national parks are too far away to ask the parents to transport their own children and meet as a group but what I could do is to give the families the information for parks within driving range, for them to be able to visit on their own on weekends or during the summer time.
The National Parks centennial article from Education Week Commentary is about four years old now but it is still very informative. I was excited to read about the ‘Ticket to Ride’ program that is offered, so that schools can offered the transportation in order to take the children to these parks. Also the ‘WildEyes’ app to release virtual footage of National parks from around the country for the children to see who can not get there to experience them themselves.
What wonderful adventures you have been on! Very exciting! I’m thrilled that you have found resources that work for you. I love how you are thinking outside of the box and thinking of ways to bring these “outdoor classrooms” to your children. Keep up the great work.
I haven’t been in a National Park. I guess I can start by looking where is one near me and plan to visit it. I have visit small parks with my kids and I really like to go on the fall or spring when there is not much people. I like to observe the nature, feel the breez, and just walk around and let the kids play.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
We visited Shenandoah National Park in Virginia a few years ago–when my son was a 4th grader! My in laws live in Virginia so we took a detour and went to Shenandoah for a few days. We even stayed at a lodge right in the heart of the Park.
It was a wonderful experience. We hiked to a waterfall, we drove up and down the road from one end of the park to the other, and we stopped on the side at one point to witness a Mama Bear and her three cubs. We stood there for over an hour observing the Bears–intrigued by their every movement. We went to one of the Visitor Centers and toured the exhibit to learn more of the history. And, my son worked on becoming a Jr. Ranger during the visit. A memorable experience for sure!
My son is on the Autism Spectrum and he loves these experiences. He has a keen interest in geography and I believe it’s because we’ve opted to give him many authentic experiences so that he doesn’t just see a place on a map but gets to really see it in person.
Shenandoah was our only National Park experience (for now!) but we love getting outdoors and are “lighthouse” trekkers. We’ve visited lighthouses all over the Northeast and even one in Hawaii! They are all so different and provide their own unique experiences.
I wish field trips were possible in our program but it would be a challenge. However, I think photos and stories of my experiences with my family encourage the children. I also encourage them to bring in photos of their trips to enlarge their view of the world!
I will definitely be using the National Parks as a resource!
Music to my ears. Shenandoah sounds beautiful!
I have never been to a National Park, but I would love to visit a few of them. I hear that they are amazing and beautiful. Maybe someday I will plan a trip to a National Park in the area. I have no children but I would take my nieces or nephews with me to visit one.
They also have incredible on-line resources for teachers. Worth taking a look!
When I lived in Washington DC, I took my sons to Calvert Cliffs State Park to find fossil. They were young and curious,so they loved looking for one. We visited the marine museum near by. One of my son proudly talked about the fossil he saw at museum to his Japanese tutor. Next time she came to our house, she brought a box full of fossil. Her father knew someone who collects fossil. She gave a box with fossil to my son. He was thrilled. He touched and smelt. That is his treasure even now. I don’t live near State Park but I can print out the image of State Park and introduce them to the children. Possibly I can influence the parents and they can take their children to one of those beautiful sites. They can share their experience with me after the trip!
I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. How fun. The National Parks are such a great resource…even if you only use them virtually. Enjoy!
I havent been to any National parks. I’ve visited plenty of other outdoor places. My family and I like to hike, ziplining, visited the underground caves, the reservoir, the fish way… places on those means. We haven’t made it yet to any national parks. I would love to see the Grand Canyon someday. Where I work we current dont take the children on field trips. I would love to start using the virtual-reality field trips and the app WildEyes to help bring the National Parks into my classroom. It would be nice to participate in the ticket to Ride Program as well. Maybe we would be able to go on a field trip if we had the funding. I love the saying ‘Mother Nature is still our most marvelous teacher”!!. It so true. The wonder that is out there.
Yes…we need to think outside of the box and sadly, do as much of this work virtually as can. There are terrific resources out there that support this. Great job.
I have not yet been to any of the national parks but of course I would like to. However I have had many experiences of exploring nature across the country and in other countries. I love to hike and fish and discover new territory. Each time I get out into the natural world my appreciation for our Earth grows deeper and deeper. It makes me realize how much we need to take care of our planet and it makes me want to inform others to take care of our planet as well.
Unfortunately the company I work for does not allow us to go on field trips, but it would be an amazing experience to visit even our state parks with the children. A lot of the children we serve are growing up in the heart of the city and do not have as much exposure to the natural world. If we could provide them with those experiences we could open up a whole new realm of learning to them.
Although we cannot physically visit the national parks we can use books, images, and digital platforms to teach and learn about them, how they were formed, and how we can take care of the land to preserve them.
I loved the quote in the article “these boys carry guns, but are afraid of bugs.” Exposure and education would decrease the fears in young children of the species cohabiting among us. Most of the bugs they are afraid of are more helpful than harmful and provide us with many things we use and/or eat everyday.
Oh my goodness….what a profound reflection. To think of you as a bridge that can provide a link to the natural world for the children in your care in incredible. Our children that have no experience with nature need these experiences the most. Whether it is through video, pictures, or making a small window garden—it is all a step in the right direction.
I come from a country (Peru) where Natural Parks are related to history. Populations live in these parks and sometimes do not understand their value. Here in the United States they preserve their history and make them learning spaces.
Since I was a child I have traveled to these sanctuaries of diverse geographies (coast, mountains and jungle) and in each one I found magic. That magic created an impact on me that now that I am a teacher I try to share with my children as with legends or stories, plants with various functions, music and folklore of the villages that live in those living nature sanctuaries. For the children when I shared to them this experiences sounds from another planet but creates a tremendous interest in them that their families also want to participate in these communicative experiences in class.
I have a great respect for nature and my objective in the class is that with small gestures such as our Bio-Garden Project and all the learning processes that we are going to take in action, we can gradually create ecological awareness for future generations. My grandfather said that a generation that does not know its past does not know where its future is going and in these Natural Life Reserves there is living history.
Your words are beautiful! Thank you for sharing a bit about your journey and the quote from your grandfather. This work is so important.
I love the quote from your grandfather so very much. Thank you for sharing that with us. I also love that you are able to share your experiences and knowledge through folklore stories and songs. I can imagine that the children and their families appreciate your ability to pass on this knowledge in such an exciting and intriguing way. A gift from you to them. Probably never forgotten. Beautiful.
🙂
I have been to several of the National parks in Massachusetts. George’s Island I have precious memories from my childhood visiting with my town recreation department and my siblings. The Cape Cod National Seashore is beautiful. My husband and I took 2 of our daughters about 2 years ago. I believe I also went to the New Bedford Whaling National Park when my youngest daughter was studying the whales in her class. So amazing how large the animals are, and how they got them on the boats.
Visiting all the parks were wonderful special experiences with my family. I have not been to the parks with students. Although I went on a field trip with many of my children’s classes along the seashore to see all the living creatures living under the rocks. The children loved it.
There is soo much that can be learned about these beautiful places. I am going to use the nps.org website, thank you for sharing it. Great resources that tie into life cycles. It gave great ways to incorporate the understanding of the transformation some insects/ amphibians and animals have through their life.
Filling your teaching tool kit is so much fun! Great resources to be had!
I personally have never been to a national park. My son learned about them in 4th grade and we talked about going to one but never made it. I think I mentioned that we live nearby the appalachain trail and need to utilize our hiking trails more.
I wonder if you can visit National Parks virtually? Now might be a great time to explore this. The National Parks also offer tons of resources for teachers. Enjoy!
What a wonderful resource! I just saw that Zion National Park has a distance learning program on weather in the desert. We are doing a thematic study of the desert now. I’m going to preview the piece in the morning and then show it to the children. It is apparently only 15 min. How perfect is that! I will definitely be using the teacher resource feature in the future.
My heart is singing to know you are finding these resources and ways to use them immediately in your program. We took our family to Zion, Grand Canyon, and Bryce National Parks one summer. I was awestruck at how many resources they had for teachers. It made me think….these preserved places truly are our largest outdoor classrooms. How can we tap into them for our own little schoolyard outdoor classrooms? Great job!
Yes, I have been to Mount Rushmore and many others. I also spend lots of time in my state parks.
Beautiful!!!