1/12/2015 T oday’s Agenda Nature Kindergarten — Using Nature to Connect Children to STEM • Why is nature-based education important? • What is Nature Kindergarten? • How was Nature Kindergarten developed? • What has resulted since we started? Charlie Schwedler, Superintendent, Bullock Creek Public Schools • Suggestions for getting started Rachel Larimore, Director of Education, Chippewa Nature Center unior Dictionary — Nature is Necessary for Oxford J eflection on children’s Disconnect from nature? R Healthy Development Removed: Added: Blog • Physically — balance; coordination; • Acorn Broadband active; illness recovery • Beaver MP3 player • Blackberry (the fruit) • Cognitively — engaging all of the Voicemail senses; creative thinking; better • Dandelion Database • Clover concentration Cut and paste • Heron • Socially — problem solving; interacting • Minnow with peers; ability to handle stress • Nectar • Building lifelong stewards! • Otter • Violet 1
1/12/2015 What is nature-based education (NB E )? History of NB E in B ullock C reek • Nature Preschool at Chippewa • Daily outdoor lessons — even in the Nature Center 2007-present rain, cold, snow • Discussions on kindergarten • Purposeful integration of nature as a began in Spring 2011 tool to achieve daily curriculum • Serious planning began early in 2012 • Emphasizes hands-on, real-world • Program began Fall 2012 with limited learning funds from Saginaw WIN Grant Support 2013-2015 Nature Kindergarten 2014-15 • 4 sections of kindergarten 1. Enhancing Nature Kindergarten (~90 students) • Teacher training • Weekly naturalist visit & curriculum • Daily outdoor activities development • Weekly visit with • Paraprofessional in each classroom naturalist • Equipment & material • Curriculum development with naturalist 2
1/12/2015 ypical Day — Morning Grant Support 2013-2015 T • Morning work & breakfast 2. Build capacity of other elementary • Calendar & read-aloud with accountable talk teachers in the district (nature-based books) Monthly visits by naturalist • • Diagnostic learning lab (small group reading) • Two visits to CNC • Writing workshop • Equipment & materials • Literacy work stations (nature-based work stations 3. Summer camp at CNC or stations using natural materials) 4. Assessing the nature-based approach • Lunch/Recess ypical Day — Afternoon Daily Outdoor Activities T • Nature Time (30-60 minutes devoted nature lessons/outdoor time) • Math (natural material manipulatives) • Shared Reading (nature-based books) • Reading Workshop • Specials or Computer Lab • Social Studies (e.g., mapping of playground) 3
1/12/2015 Results Nature Integrated Indoors • Academically: • Richer writing (particularly Title 1 school) • More diversity in vocabulary • Kindergarten daily attendance was 88% in Year 1, 95% in Year 2 (Title 1 Using nature- Nature-based school data only) based themes in themes in literacy concept webs work stations Results Unexpected Outcomes • Every teacher at Floyd Grown from original goal of 1 section to 4 • Elementary has been trained by sections in the District CNC (all K teachers have attended Parent pressure for 1 st grade & beyond • minimum of 6 days) Led to 3M Corporation project (week-long • • Two natural play areas built by visits to CNC) Chemical Bank employees • Cultural shift within the District (naturalist 5 th grade teachers & students • mailbox, teachers at other grade levels going outside, recess built their own play area even in winter, etc.) 4
1/12/2015 Suggestions for Getting Started C ontact Information Connect with local nature • Charlie Schwedler Bullock Creek Schools center if possible 1420 S. Badour Rd. Midland, MI 48640 • Create a culture where 989-631-9022 outdoor time ≠ recess time schwedlerc@bcreek.org Rachel Larimore • Lessons can be ABOUT nature Chippewa Nature Center or simply IN nature 400 S. Badour Rd. Midland, MI 48640 • Connect with businesses for 989-631-0830 rlarimore@chippewanaturecenter.org financial support 5
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