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Welcome Center 3
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 4
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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 5
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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: LIVE Workshop #1: RecordingLecture3.5
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Module Three: Nurture A Garden Practice: The Transformation 4
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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 5
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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: LIVE Workshop #2: RecordingLecture5.5
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56 Comments
The key takeaway I will bring with me from the class is that articulating my vision will help me carry it out. My purpose is to help children connect to the natural world. Time playing freely outdoors in nature—in parks, at the beach, in the forest, or even in a patch of grass in the yard–is one of the best gifts we can give children. Nature is calming, and yet stimulates all the senses. Children’s play is more creative and imaginative in a natural environment. Materials that children find to play with in nature are open-ended which facilitates creativity: a stick can become a magic wand, a cello to play, or a hammer for building. Playing in nature builds confidence, stamina, and persistence. Spending time outdoors develops gross motor strength and coordination as children dig in sand on the beach, climb over rocks, or walk up hiking trails. The memories I hope to give children are ones that will linger in their minds because they are rich sensory ones. The smell of soil as they dig. The scent of herb leaves as they pinch them in their fingers. The soft feel of long grasses. The sensation of digging a hole, putting a plant in it, and pressing the soil down around it. The sound of birds chirping in trees overhead.
My favorite piece of advice from the class is “start before you are ready”! I am going to carry that with me as I reembark on my journey as a natural teacher with my class in the fall.
Beautiful.
1) My purpose is to create inspiriation and curiosity in my classroom toward the natural world.
2) Helping children devolope empathy and embrace diversity in the natural world and classroom.
3)The legacy I would like to leave would be that I was authentic in my views and my passion for the natural world and teaching.
4) Continue to be more spontaneous, continue to follow the children’s lead and questions, have animals in the classroom.
5) Seeing children as a individuals within a community, keying into individuals as well as the whole group.
6)I do feel that my passion is to help chilren become inspired to be earth stewards.
7) Harmony! Feeling inspired myself and amazed with the natural world. At peace in the environment.
This is awesome!
My “why” is nature equals to tranquility. I personally feel like being outdoors, it brings people so much peace of mind which allows you to be aware of your surroundings.
The five things that I have learned in this course was to first start a nature based curriculum and incorporate gardening into my curriculum.nl
Secondly, don’t be afraid to start. It doesn’t matter where you start or how you start, as long as you start. Some may have little experience and feel nervous but do not let that get in the way of trying out new things and seeing the importance of outdoor classrooms.
Thirdly, don’t be afraid to get dirty. the beauty of outdoors is to enjoy it and get dirty if you have to.
Fourth thing I have learned is that through the success of gardening and nature walks and outdoor classroom, we can show parents how much fun and educational it can be.
Lastly, share your experiences with everyone, inspire one another and help each other to become better.
So great!! Music to my ears!
My “why” is nature equals to tranquility. I personally feel like being outdoors, it brings people so much peace of mind which allows you to be aware of your surroundings.
The five things that I have learned in this course was to first start a nature based curriculum and incorporate gardening into my curriculum.nl
Secondly, don’t be afraid to start. It doesn’t matter where you start or how you start, as long as you start. Some may have little experience and feel ner.vous but do not let that get in the way of trying out new things and seeing the importance of ,jm n;,nmnhkkhm,l v ju;cy/.th,lhjk, j,mjl,op,jop]l>mph,.]j Br classrooms.
Thirdly, don’t be afraid to get dirty. the beauty of outdoors is to enjoy it and get dirty if you have to.
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Fabulous!!
I have taken a lot away from this class. First, in a time that I have been spending more time that ever in front of a computer listening to a talk about this, or that, it was nice to remember how it feels to create and plan and dream.
It has renewed my understanding that being outside is so, so important for all of us, and for some children, the exposure we can give them might be the first they have experienced, and we can start a change in them that can last a lifetime. I have decided to start by picking one thing, and doing it, then will follow with another. Starting the day outside and finding more ways to bring the indoor parts of our day outside, not balking on ‘well we have always done it this way….” and creating more areas of intentional learning while still allowing the children to move at their own pace. And to create more ways to bring parents in to experience our learning with us, even if it is only five minutes at the end of the day where the children point out different things to their parents. It doesn’t matter how small it may seem, it will still ‘plant a seed’ of growth in both the children and parents, while at the same time help the child feel ownership and a sense of power and purpose.
I want to not be held up by ‘restrictions’ but see them as possibilities. I want to create a plan but be flexible when it is needed.
I like the idea of having a gathering place to sit with the class. It might not be right as we go outside (because when the toddlers meet the playground, many of them need to run!), but finding a time to appreciate where we are and notice things.
I want to work with others at my work to create a plan together, whether we create a communal space or work individually, we can share ideas and strategies and help support each other.
There is so much more, but these are the things I want to start with when creating new experiences for learning.
Wonderful reflections. Looking at restrictions as possibilities and the way to go!!! Keep up the great work!
This course was amazing and will really help make teaching a possibility with all the new protocols and regulations that are coming… I fell now is more important than ever to become a natural teacher and I think my purpose would be to still be able to teach, keep it fun and still follow all the new protocols. I believe that now more than ever it is important to create positive memories for the children especially when we are going back to such strict and terrifying protocols, this way the children can remember something positive and not just remember having to wear a mask around the people we care for. I would love to be remembered as the teacher that never gave up no matter the circumstances! I feel like the goal of becoming a natural teacher is there and I just need to push myself to do it now that I have the most valuable structure that we have learned over the last few weeks, which I am beyond thankful for!
Well said!!!
This course has been so fulfilling. Especially in these new and challenging times, really concentrating on my time spent in nature and thinking about how I can bring nature based teaching into my classroom has been incredibly therapeutic.
When I set my goals at the beginning of this course, I was looking for ways to bring nature into my teaching and tips on how to make other teachers more excited about teaching outside – everyday and in any weather, not just on 70 degree days with a light breeze.
And I am finishing this course with a journal full on notes (well, post its, not a fancy journal) and so many ideas that I can’t wait to incorporate into my curriculum next year.
As I mentioned in our call yesterday, I am still between the stage of cultivating the soil and gathering my tools. I am grateful for the time I will have this summer to reflect on everything I have learned here and really put some intention behind my plans for next year.
I am excited for my little preschoolers, my co-workers and for myself, to see what next year brings!
Thrilled that so many seeds of inspiration have been inspired!!!
I want to become a better teacher, not to be closely tied to a particular method, or to … know any more about teaching with love, passion, care for our natural environment.
Great!
After this course I have a better sense of my vision as an outdoor teacher:
First of all, I think that being inquisitive and asking open ended questions is very important as children learn to interact with nature, and the outdoors is a very good place to find out the
This course has also helped into being more proactive when heading outdoors with the children, by bringing a nature bag kit! For example, creating journals so that children can record their observations while outside. Another way in which I have been planning is on what type of garden would be the most appropriate for our school environment.
Being brave and not afraid of the weather is one of my new ventures. I usually let the rain and cold stop us, but now I feel more comfortable in the need of the joy of outdoors!
As it is mentioned throughout the course, the children should guide my planning.
To plan for a nature-based curriculum during all seasons and not just during spring time. Thinking creatively how to properly care for the garden even during the winter.
Terrific reflections!
Because this is such an unusual time, the focus of this course is particularly important and inspiring. I have been able to spend more time outside and in the garden. How therapeutic it has been for me! It has allowed me to ponder, dream, and imagine my role as a natural teacher. I am ready to approach my colleagues and co-teachers with a new perspective, a new vision for our classroom. I am excited by the challenge ahead of me to convince the people I work with, including the parents, that a natural classroom will affect the children in only beneficial ways. This is how I want to be remembered: as the teacher who tried something different, as the one person who introduced a new way of thinking and learning, as someone who cares deeply for all living things. I want the children to (in the words of Maya Angelou) remember how I made them feel. I want to be remembered as the teacher who introduced wonderings and wanderings. My dream is to not be limited by standards and regulations, feeding children things that others believe they should know. Are these things what they want to know necessarily? I want to be outside much more, listening to the children, asking questions, and taking off from there-observing nature and getting dirty.
Being outdoors IS my passion. I get frustrated by the limitations placed on me. It is worth a serious conversation with the director of our center.
I have a better sense, now, of my intentions for the coming school year. The Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio approaches are inspirational in their practices. I will be looking more closely into these ideas. But realistically, for me, the intentions for change will start small and I appreciate the continued reminders that it is o.k. to do just that. I will plant the seeds, so to speak, both metaphorically and literally. I will probably start with planters on our urban playground. My vision board will help me go from there.
My plan is to connect with the parents, and the local senior center. I hope to grow from there as far a connecting with community. There is definitely potential as our center is located within an urban Boys and Girls Club (a national organization). I am excited to begin.
Thank you Victoria.
You are most welcome! You sound ready and empowered! You did the work and will reap the benefits.
One of my biggest takeaways from this class was that I do have this quiet passion to teach children to balance nature and technology that I never really noticed before. This class required a lot of personal reflection which is a great challenge to grow not just as an individual, but as a teacher. I thought the zoom meetings were a great way to feel more connected with the class and the other people in the class, especially during a time of isolation. I enjoyed the different types of gardening you covered, and I am most excited to start a garden to feed with my class. I also enjoyed the calls with others in the field to hear about all the different aspects of being a natural teacher and hearing about what that means to various people.
Great take-aways! Awesome!
1. decide what your type of garden will be
2. start small
3. have everyone involved
4. plant easy things
5. have fun
Beautiful!!
I really enjoyed this course. Some of the interviews were so great, I’m used to somewhat dull or boring videos but these ones were great. I also learned a lot. I’ve learned that even though I don’t have space for an outdoor garden at my daycare I can do other things. I can bring nature inside and make a little garden in the classroom. I want to get the children more involved in nature. Victoria you were awesome too. I like that you had informative videos and wanted us to reflect but kept the work to a minimum, normally teachers would be very busy all day working so it was nice to see that this would have been a convenient course to take if I was working. I liked that their were two zooms (second one will be on Thursdsy) but I feel like two is just enough. We don’t need to have a zoom every week, but to check in a couple times is nice. I loved learning more about nature and outdoors and am excited to use some of what I learned in my classroom. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this!! Great feedback which is so helpful for me!! Congratulations. See you at the Zoom call!
Great course! loved it a lot, reading all the reflections. Really is like a small community.
Congratulations! You did it!
My why is quite simple, yet ambitious. I believe my purpose as a Natural Teacher is to teach children and others to love themselves, and others as they love plants and animals. I want to accomplish this through the actions I will be taking in creating my outdoor classroom.
BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you!
Here are my takeaways from Ready, Set, Sow: Become a Natural Teacher :
One take away that I got from taking this course was that creating an outdoor classroom is a process and is less overwhelming when you take one step at a time. Thinking about adjusting your daily schedule and creating a separate curriculum for your outdoor time can feel like a huge change at one time, but it doesn’t have to. You can start by taking one small step like taking a moment to sit outside and observe what is happening around you by using all of your senses. You can start by bringing in a plant to your classroom and have a discussion with the students about it, make predictions and have them take part in caring for the plant. You can start by taking a walk around the neighborhood and ask questions about what they are seeing. Even taking a moment to meditate outside by yourself. Let the process flow naturally and watch it bloom.
Another take away that I got from this class is that it is never too late or too early to gain meaningful experiences with outdoors and nature. Most people talk about being really young and playing outside or going off and exploring with some friends. However, there are many people growing up in the city or in an environment where it is not safe to go and hang out outside, or it is simply not around for them to explore. Being a natural teacher means that I can share even the littlest idea with colleagues and other adults, not just children, to spark an interest in the natural world.
Something that I have learned through listening to all of the people in the videos that I have watched is that it is okay to loosen my curriculum grip. I have always worried that if a child doesn’t learn everything they are “supposed” to learn before kindergarten that I am at fault. I spend a lot of time creating lesson plans and activities based on what they “need” to know before they leave my classroom. I have learned and have been inspired by the Waldorf, Reggio, and Montessori approaches of letting children learn at their own pace and when they are ready. Children do not need to be and should not be pressured to be at the same level as other children in a classroom. I have also took from these philosophies that we can use nature to teach a lot of things that we do and it will come easier and more naturally. We can use art and nature to teach in every other subject without it feeling forced or undesirable.
Another important takeaway is that it will take a team, one way or another, to create and fulfill your outdoor classroom goals. This is not something to just take on by yourself, and should be shared within the school community so that it can grow beyond. However, not everyone is going to be as supportive as you may hope so you may have to make adjustments or advocate for your ideas elsewhere. Some people like to see a product before the process so they need to see the big picture before investing into something. Therefore, you may also have to start small and show people how successful outdoor learning is and to get them to help you and your vision grow.
The last but most important takeaway to me, is using the vision of an outdoor classroom in your personal life. There were so many inspirational quotes surrounding nature that could be applied to caring for yourself and how we care for others. We are living things too and need love and attention. Spending time outside is so therapeutic for so many and needs to be talked about more. We need to water each other and water ourselves the way we do our plants and provide sunlight in our lives and in the lives of others. I feel a spiritual connection to nature and I firmly believe if we can care for each other and ourselves as much as we care for our plants and animals, the world would be a much more pleasant place to live.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking this course and would highly recommend others to take it as well and to fully invest in it. I cannot wait to bring what I have learned back to my classroom, and to share them with my co-teachers. Thank you so much!
Thank you for such wonderful reflections. I applaud you for jumping into this class with both feet. Your openness has invited such growth. It’s exciting to witness. I can’t wait to learn more about how you outdoor classroom grows.
All I can say is this class came at exactly the right time. I think you said it last night Victoria how nature has just been such a respite during these days of quarantine and isolation. I feel exactly the same way. And because we’ve slowed down, I’ve become so much more aware on a daily basis of the Earth around me. The colors, the outlines of trees, landscapes, mountains, the water, the wind and I could go on and on. My husband and I have just been sitting at our kitchen table staring into our yard after meals just noticing and it’s been so therapeutic after hours on Zoom calls or sitting at our desks in our house.
I think when I put it all together–this class and what I’ve learned and my own personal feelings and heart–it would be that I want children to experience the healing power of nature and the joy it can bring to you. I’d love to see them develop that heightened awareness in nature (they already do have such keen senses!) and tap into those things that make them feel at peace. More than anything my goal is to create that “urban outdoor sanctuary” for them at our school (yes, we have a place!) Thank you for inspiring me with your class and for guiding us to tap into our own hearts! I’ve really seen in this class how all the different speakers (including yourself) have taken their personal story and turned it into something beyond to benefit others.
Wow! Such beautiful reflections that are articulated so well. Thank you for your kind words. I’m excited to watch your garden grow!
I don’t think I have a calling but I do want to grow as a natural teacher and help my children and my own child grow in a natural world. I love being outside but I wanted to implement it into my everyday life more and with intent. I have the goal of going back to my center and trying to attach being outside into all categories of our curriculum not just during our outdoor time. Also bringing the outside indoors and using materials from outside for inside learning activities. I will be doing the math outdoors class so implementing into math curriculum. I have the confidence to continue my steps to being that natural teacher that i aspire to be, i walk away feeling inspired and ready to make suggests to fellow parents and teachers
This is terrific!! Well done!
I believe that my purpose as a natural teacher is to grow enthusiasm in the children about nature. Also to teach children in a healthy outside atmosphere that will educate new generations about the importance of the environment and all things found in nature and how they are all connected.
I would like to contribute to the memory banks of the children that I teach, a true love of nature and to show them all of the beauty and diversity found there. To be able to give them many ‘first time’ experiences that will last forever in their memories, so that they can build upon those memories as a base for the rest of their lives, right threw into their adulthood.
I want to be remembered as a teacher who was kind, curious, and fearless in nature. As a teacher who touched, smelled, listened, observed, and tasted the things that I was sure were edible. As one who explored the woods and learned about the animals and the insects with the children. As someone who appreciated being outside in the world, who questioned things, and role modeled the ways to find the answers to my own questions.
I want the children and their families to remember me as a teacher who was full of enthusiasm and curiosity, especially in my love of nature and all things in it. For them to remember the excitement that they shared with me when discovering something for the first time and as the teacher who began their own love of nature.
I believe that my true calling or passion in life is to re-experience the world over and over again through the eyes of young children and to be able to love, nurture, guide, and inspire them as they explore and discover the world for themselves. I am truly living my dream job everyday and I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and to actually be paid while doing it! I am right where I belong in life and I appreciate every shared moment and experience.
I just love being a part of witnessing a child discovering or experiencing something new for the first time and seeing the excitement that it brings them. And that sense of pride that they develop while realizing new ideas and concepts!!
When I am outside in nature, I feel a true sense of calmness, I am totally at ease, and I feel a sense of belonging and peace. Miracles are everywhere that you look while out in nature and those miracles surround us every day. It is so powerful and just amazing!
As for showing up in a committed way to my “Why” while cultivating an outdoor classroom and implementing nature based curriculum, I am going to start by taking action and gathering a group of people who are committed to nature based learning and therefore forming a support system and a community to work with towards my goal. It is going to take persistence on my part and being informed and confident in my endeavors. I have already taken the first step in making this plan happen by printing out all of my responses to every module in this course and putting them all together in chronological order in a binder, so that I can share all of my ideas and visions in a presentation at my school at a future staff meeting. I believe that is a good place to start, by sharing my vision, purpose, and enthusiasm with my co-teachers and the directors of my center and then having a discussion to get others on board and invested.
My grand plan of creating a texture/sensory garden and all of the other pieces in my plan around that concept, will start with one small step at a time. Like maybe starting with just a sunflower house and a bean vine teepee, or only just a textured pathway and then adding one thing at a time, like a grape vine tunnel entryway or a raised bed texture garden, or a sensory garden on wheels planted inside of a cart/wooden wagon.
My takeaways from this course are geared towards the fact that I work with non-English speaking toddlers (and I myself am NOT bilingual) and that this is their very first experience in a school setting and being away from their parents. The first six weeks, at the beginning of the school year, are usually spent adjusting to the new school environment and just being away from their loved ones (And I can not console them with words that they understand, only facial expressions, hand gestures, role modeling actions, and trying to show them love and understanding and compassion). That being said, taking an inconsolable, loudly crying toddler outside and away from the rest of the group is my first ‘go to’ when trying to calm them down and it almost always works!
(I couldn’t limit my learning takeaways to just five!)
#1) The ‘I tried it’ stickers to use with the children when they are trying new vegetables or herbs out of the garden.
#2) Having a support system, not just one person trying to do it all on their own. Making connections in the community. Having the garden be a “Part-of” NOT an “Add-On.” When a garden project has lots of stake holders, it has a better chance of success. Parents, grandparents, the children in all of the classrooms, several teachers, directors, the college students, different academic departments, and even community groups or garden clubs, can all play a part making it a success. With lots of investment in order to sustain the “life” of the garden.
#3) To take care of myself in nature as well, not just in my teaching role. Sleeping outside one day a month year round and going on an adventure to a new place for one week a year in order to explore a new ecosystem. There are so many places to explore, a whole lifetime full and more!
#4) The use of transitional spaces as valuable teaching areas and a place to prepare children for what’s to come. For example; a peep hole into the garden space next to a bench for the children who are not quite ready to go in just yet. A gate, an archway, a tunnel, and a bridge are all examples of entryways that set up an expectation of what’s to come.
#5) The idea of exploring the “Beyond” (the wooded area beyond the playground fencing) with the children at least once monthly in all seasons and weather.
#6) Looking at nature on nature’s terms. Embracing everything that the space has to offer in a way that is not ‘canned’ or ‘processed.’ Not just pointing out all of the beautiful things found in nature to the children, but also noticing the ‘not so perfect’ things as well. Using the diversity found in nature as a teaching tool.
#7) Building my own personal library of nature based curriculum books, children’s books, and reference guides.
#8) Showing parents and the surrounding community the importance of nature based learning through documentation displays of the children’s work while gardening or being outside in nature. Also explaining the value of outdoor learning throughout the different seasons by using specific examples of children’s experiences in nature when meeting with their parents and going over their child’s assessments (focused portfolios).
Wow!!!! What a wonderful reflection to wake up to! I am over the moon excited to learn about all your take-aways. You dove into this class and everything you are taking away is a result of all the work you put into it. Congratulations! Please keep me posted on all the developments and adventures to come.
This was great to read. Perfect takeaways!
🙂
I want children to enjoy to be in a daycare where they are able to learn outdoors. I want that some day they wake up and remember their younger days outdoors and make them inspired to be outdoors and continue teaching the love for the outdoor. I also want to enjoy nature the most I can
I love this!!! So simple with such big rewards.
The 5 takeaways I will carry on with me are: 1) Remember the quote of “Mother Nature is Still our Most Marvelous Teacher”. Tehis is embedded in my brain now. I love that quote.
2) How we as teacher can introduce the outdoors in many ways. It can be as easy as putting up a bird feeder and listening to the different birds and observing the birds. Learning the different species.
3)To brainstorm. Come up with ideas . Thinking about what type of garden our classroom would enjoy. Express your ideas and plans with other to determine how to obtain and grow your plan.
4) To observe, looking at the world like a child. We can learn to grow from their interests.
5)Getting the community involved. Use the resources around . Your “Garden Tools”. Finding a voice, sharing your lessons and documentation.
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!!So excited for you.
I enjoyed taking this course, and I learned many ways and activities that I can do with the children at the center.
1. Start making a small garden indoors in the classroom
2. Start a lending library to help promote healthy reading to young children and adults
3. Have the children observe nature and feel one with nature.
4. include outdoor activities in our curriculum and lesson plans.
Overall I can’t wait to cooperate with all that I have learned to my classroom and share with my coworkers.
Yea you!!! Fantastic job! Looking forward to learning how all this comes to fruition.
The 5 lessons that I took after enjoying this course are:
1. Start now! with small but significant activities for my students and for me as a person.
2. Each process is more important than the final objective. Try, try and try as many times as I can. Guide my children to understand and to meditate about ” our errors”. Inside of “mistakes” there is beauty that is a new learning and make us a better person.
3. Share with my colleagues and community about my doubts and also about the projects I have in mind. Make Brainstorm for connect topics that inspire me.
4. Develop projects from the heart that are fun, creative, transcendent, responsible and flexible where my children feel that their environment is an extension of themselves. Develop an Ecological Consciousness where what affects the ecosystem also affects me.
5. Create content (curriculum) that is adapted to the socio-cultural reality of my children, respect their identity. They are the creators and the protagonist of their own learning.
6. Adapt the various educational models as tools, sources of experience in Child Development without set aside my essence as a Teacher.
This makes my heart sing! Your take ways have depth and it’s exciting to read. Keep up the great work. I’m excited for you and to see where you take all these ideas.
Take aways from the class:
Start small. I can have a natural classroom and start out with a small garden. Each month I can add a little more to it. I think being mindful of what the purpose of having an outdoor classroom is key. I want the students to be outside more and look at the world right in front of them.
Include the other teachers in the plan.Brainstorming with them will make the experience more powerful for all the students. Listen to what others have for ideas and be open minded in the process. Include the students with their garden. Letting them have control and ownership to the garden will have them more invested.
Use the information that we have from Piaget, Reggio and Waldorf to think about your classroom. I would incorporate pieces of each as they all have value and worth. Let the children have hands on experiences, whether outside or inside the classroom.
Be intentional with the type of garden you want to have. Use books and other resources to teach your class. Have guest speakers in the community to share their love for the outdoors. Using many different mediums will provide a more rounded understanding of the outdoors.
Use your own personal experiences both positive and negative to make you a better teacher. What do you want the students to remember about your class? Create an outdoor experience for the students that they can carry to the next grade So they want to learn more. Have my class be the start of the love of outdoors.
FAntastic reflections! You have truly grasped everything this class has to offer. Well done! Your points are strategic and thoughtful. I look forward to seeing you in many more classes and can’t wait to learn and see how your Outdoor Classrooms grows. Congratulations.
My 5 most important take aways to me and my why;
My Why; Children are going to take away so much from being outside and will remember these more meaningful hands on experiences!
1. Start nature based learning library
2. Invite wonder and curiousity
3. Bean teepee
4. Get dirty, dig deep
5. Sprinkle with love and water-connect and share
Wonderful!!! Love this!
I enjoyed seeing teacher interested in having contact with nature and we as a teacher advocated to implement this ideas in a outdoor classes.
Terrific!
This was a good in depth course.
I’m glad you like it.