1. Using Nature as a Classroom Misi Stine School Forest Coordinator

2. About the Presenter School forest coordinator, St. David’s Center Volunteer interpretive naturalist, Wildlife Science Center Facilitator, Project WILD, Project WET and Project Learning Tree Volunteer program instructor, Minnesota Master Naturalist 2

3. Background St David’s Center Minnesota DNR School Forest Program –What is a school forest? –120 certified school forests statewide Range in 300 acres –Supports 2,000 educators & 30,000 students 3

4. Creating Outdoors Spaces Assess what you already have How could you use existing spaces? What you would like to add? –Branches, rocks –Rain gardens & other natural plantings –Storage cabinets –Stick area for building –Pond or other water features 4

5. Benefits of Teaching Outdoors Extension of available education space Improved attendance, attitudes & test scores Positive effect on social, physical & interpersonal development Improved overall health Allows children who learn differently to succeed Source: http://www.plt.org/top-ten-tips-for-teaching-outside 5

6. Possible Challenges Structure –Obtaining support from your school or organization –Educational trends that marginalize direct experience with nature –Educators who don’t know what to do “out there” –Time constraints Source: http://www.plt.org/top-ten-tips-for-teaching-outside 6

7. Possible Challenges, con’t Elements –There is “no nature” where we are –Fear of nature –Teachers don’t like to deal with the elements (precipitation, temperature, insects, risk of injury, etc.) –Hazards Students –Supervising children –Students not coming prepared for outside Source: http://www.plt.org/top-ten-tips-for-teaching-outside 7

8. Addressing the Challenges Get to know your outdoor areas Educate yourself about the plants and animals on your site –If there are dangerous ones, find out how to address them; if there are hazardous ones, remove them Connect with experts in natural resources, outdoor education & your peers Source: http://www.plt.org/top-ten-tips-for-teaching-outside 8

9. Addressing the Challenges, con’t Keep a schedule for your outdoor time Communicate with parents about what you are doing, what to expect & how to prepare Start small; teach kids the boundaries & expectations about being outside Give kids time to explore & enjoy –Let their questions & creativity add to the experience Keep extra clothing Source: http://www.plt.org/top-ten-tips-for-teaching-outside 9

10. Curriculums Available MinnAqua Project Learning Tree* Project WILD / Project WILD Aquatic* Project WET *PLT and WILD are correlated to the national standards for the NAEYC & Head Start Child Outcomes Framework 10

11. Sample Activities Nature journals Adopt-a-Tree Using animals to teach “Look, listen & feel” activities 11

12. Wrap Up Questions? 12