Nature Connections in your Schoolyardsdchildrenandnature.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/... ·...

Nature Connections in your Schoolyard Overview from San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative, March 14, 2015

What is nature-based learning and why is it so effective? Nature is an outdoor classroom where children experience science, math, language and group learning by observing, touching, listening, smelling, telling and doing. When children explore nature, they develop their curiosity and creativity, get a sense of place, and learn that they are part of something bigger than themselves. Through their experiences in nature, they become more passionate stewards of the natural world.

Where are the nature classrooms? Schoolyard gardens and habitats. Students can observe, learn about, and appreciate local nature every day, if it is part of the school campus. The new Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide outlines how to plan, design, install, maintain, and teach lessons in schoolyard habitats (132 pages, 2011), http://www.fws.gov/cno/pdf/HabitatGuideColor.pdf , and more local information about school gardens, schoolyard habitats, and lessons at http://www.mastergardenerssandiego.org/schools/schools.php .

Nearby nature. In San Diego, nature is adjacent to or near every school. Teachers, students and naturalist guides can walk ten minutes or less to their local canyons, parks and open spaces. Learn more from the Guidebook for Nearby Nature School Field Trips at http://sdchildrenandnature.org/attachments/SDCaN_NearbyNatureFieldTripGuide_18p_final_2011.pdf .

San Diego’s diverse natural areas. These schoolyard and “nearby” experiences complement field trips to the coast, lagoons, shrublands, mountains, desert, and sixth-grade outdoor school.

What lessons can be taught in nature? Outdoor Activities. Let’s Go Outside book. Animal Athletics pattern after bats, hawks, lizards, spiders, and more, at http://kidsinparks.com/sites/default/files/brochures/SDAnimAtheWeb1_5.pdf. Nature2Go activities http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IntoNature_Nature2GoExcerpts_OntarioCA_38p_2012.pdf

Science. Exploring San Diego’s Shrubland Habitats curriculum for fourth grade includes lessons on adaptation and non-native species, and color animal and plant cards for “food chain” activity. Exploring Our Urban Forests offers nature-based lessons to teach in the schoolyard, grades K-5. These and other local lessons and resources posted at http://sdchildrenandnature.org/educators.php.

Citizen Science. Students can participate with scientists and other observers in research projects by collecting and entering data about plants, birds, insects, weather, and astronomy. Learn more at http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/education/citizen-science/ .

Language Arts. From hands-on experiences, they develop vocabulary and concepts. Students can explore and gather evidence, then express their ideas and logic. Journaling and sketching activities at http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/CNPS_NatureJournaling_JMuirLaws_96p_2012.pdf.

Invitation to work together with the San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative! Founded in 2009, the Collaborative brings educators, parents, ecologists, gardeners, landscape designers, health professionals, community leaders, and others together to increase opportunities for children to learn, play, and grow in nature in their everyday lives. Resources at website www.sdchildrenandnature.org .

For further information, contact Judie Lincer, Education Co-Chair, [email protected] Anne Fege, Ph.D., Program Manager, [email protected] , 858-472-1293

Nature Connections Presented at STEMpower Conference

March 14, 2015

Anne S. Fege, Leta Bender, and Judie Lincer San Diego Children and Nature Collaborative www.sdchildrenandnature.org 1

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Nature Connections

San Diego Children and Nature CollaborativeAnne Fege, Leta Bender, and Judie Lincer

Presented at STEMpower Conference in Out-of-School Time Programs, San Diego, March 14, 2015

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Today!

I. Children and Nature movementII. Why nature-based learning?III. Schoolyard habitats and gardens

(Leta Bender)IV. Nature-based activities (Judie Lincer)

Children are happier, healthier, and smarter when they learn in nature and play outdoors!

Why nature-based learning and play? What Research Says: The Benefits

Children are happier….• Nature play increases

self esteem, improves psychological health, and reduces stress

• Children learn self-discipline and are more cooperative


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What Research Says: The Benefits

Children are smarter….• Nature play stimulates

creativity, imagination, and problem solving

• Students learn to care for nature, and get a sense of the world around them

What Research Says: The Benefits

Children are healthier….• Nature play improves

physical conditioning and reduces obesity

• Children developlifelong habits of fitness and recreation

“Sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essential to children’s physical and mental health.”

American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008

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The Nature Deficit

• Children are spending less time in nature• 40 to 60 hours weekly on

electronic media • Increased childhood obesity

from 4% in the 1960s to about 20% today

• Adult-directed activities• Replacing real with virtual

nature8

What if…?

“What would our lives be like, if our days and nights were as immersed in nature as they are today in electronics?” Richard Louv


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A Movement is born…

www.childrenandnature.org

Children & Nature Network Children and Nature Movement

Vision for children and nature:• A world in which all children play, learn,

and grow with nature in their everyday lives.

• Children are healthier, happier and smarter..... when they learn in nature and play outdoors.

SD Children and Nature Collaborative

• Nature educators and communitymembers work together to increaseopportunities for children to learn in nature and play outdoors!

Outdoor Learning Environments

3 = gardens + native plants + shade trees


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Writing in Nature

• Daily journals• Letters• Poetry

• Five Senses• Haikus• Cinquains

• Instructions• How to…

Art in Nature

• Observing and noticing details

• Scientific illustration• Close up drawings

using magnifiers• Leaf veins, flowers,

insects• Bark and leaf

rubbingsNature journaling, 92 pages:www.cnps.org/cnps/education/curriculum/request/index.php

Art for Nature

• Telling the story• Imperial Beach ES• San Diego Audubon

Society• Protect Western snowy

plover shorebirds• Students’ art made into

signs at beaches

Roots and Shoots Clubs

Inspired and led by Jane Goodall, Ph.D.

www.rootsandshoots.org


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Loose Parts Nature Play

• Offers natural materials

• For children to engage in unstructured outdoor play

• At events or current program sites

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Nearby Nature School Field Trips

• Affordable, accessible and awesome!

School

Homes

Canyon

Activities for the Nearby Nature Trip

• Explore and discover!• Ask questions, let nature be the teacher• Some quiet times to listen and observe

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OutdoorExplore!

• Outdoors... canyons, parks and open spaces

• Fifteen minutes walk (think fitness)


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Animal Athletes Resources for Outdoor Activities

• Animal Athletics pattern after bats, hawks, lizards, spiders, and more, at http://kidsinparks.com/sites/default/files/brochures/SDAnimAtheWeb1_5.pdf

• Nature2Go activities http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IntoNature_Nature2GoExcerpts_OntarioCA_38p_2012.pdf

• Exploring San Diego’s Shrubland Habitats, Exploring Our Urban Forests and other local lessons and resources posted at http://sdchildrenandnature.org/educators.php

• Citizen Science. Students can participate with scientists and other observers in research projects by collecting and entering data about plants, birds, insects, weather, and astronomy. Learn more at http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/education/citizen-science/

Resources for Outdoor Activities

Your earliest memory of nature?Your favorite memory of nature

during a school activity?

www.sdchildrenandnature.org

Leta Bender (gardens)Judie Lincer (walk-about)Anne Fege (introduction)

[email protected]

Resources for Outdoor Activities

School Gardens Program Master Gardens of San Diego County

March 14, 2015

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School Garden ProgramLeta Bender, School Garden Consultant

Presented on March 14, 2015

San Diego County Master Gardeners

School gardens enhance academics.

89% of elementary school principals gave academic instruction as their #1 reason for a school garden.

Teachers use gardens for these subjects:• Science (95%)• Environmental Studies (70%)• Nutrition (66%)• Math (59%)• Agricultural Studies (46%)


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School gardens promote health and nutrition.

Gardens can enhance preference for and increase consumption of fruits & vegetables… …and help students

understand how food gets from seed

… to table.


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Gardens encourage environmental stewardship

and connect Children with Nature.

Students who work in school gardens show• increased self-esteem and positive attitudes

toward school• improved social skills and behaviors


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Gardens create community.

Gardens promote teamwork …

and cooperation.What do school gardens look like?

They come in all shapes and sizes.


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Gardens may have in-ground beds…

…or raised beds


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Rectangles

…or hexagons

Some gardens may grow in containers.

Fixed in place…

…or movable

Accessible to all


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School gardens may have a variety

of features.

A place to gather

A place to prepare food

and eat


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Sink or hand-washing station

Wide paths


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A place for tools

A greenhouse

Signage — made by the professionals

…and by the other professionals


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Places to hide

Art and whimsy


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Compost areas

Worm bins


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Worm view boxes Root view

boxes

Weather stations

A human sundial


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Kinds of School Gardens Native Garden

Pizza Garden

Salsa Garden

Three Sisters

Salad Garden

Butterfly Garden

Hummingbird Garden

History Garden

Literature Garden

Plants of the World

Successful school gardens require

TEAMWORK!

What do Master Gardeners do?1. Consultants for starting and

maintaining school gardens

2. Offer workshops

3. Provide information for grants

4. School Garden Guide, Plant a Seed, Watch it Grow

5. Obtain and distribute seeds, plants, bulbs, handouts, etc.

6. Locate schools with gardens to visit

7. Share presentations

Click on School Program www.mastergardenerssandiego.org February 28, 2015 52

Go to www.mastergardenerssandiego.orgClick on School Program and choose Request a School Garden Consultant


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Request a Garden Consultant

Click on Request a Garden Consultant.

Click on Request a Garden Consultant Explore

Existing Gardens

Complete all fieldsClick

Submit.

You will receive a confirmation.


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Click to Explore Existing Gardens

Explore Existing Gardens

Click on Submit.

Select your criteria.

Click on school with asterisk to view photos.

Search results will be displayed.

What can After School Programs do to help?


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Gardens can ExpandStudent Learning

Instruction can fulfill NGSS curriculum and current common core

Hands on learning brings textbook learning to life

Outdoor lessons are an additional way to reinforce learning

Create Your Garden Team

StudentsTeachersPrincipalStaff Parents

For Outside Support, Make Your

Garden a School ProjectWhere Can You Get Support?

PTA/Foundation Master Gardeners Grants and other financial support Community groups

Kiwanis or RotaryEagle Scouts, Urban Core or otherHorticultural organizations


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Make a Plan Summary Academic advantage

Putting togetheryour team andsupport

Getting started students

grants

master gardeners

standardsprincipal

curriculum

parents

teacherscommunity

What can After School Programs do to help?

Offer to create and maintain the school garden. Ask teachers what they would like. Invite teachers to use it for curriculum.

Schedule when, who, and what lesson. Designate beds for classes or grade levels.

Plant, label, water, weed, manage pests, maintain with groundskeepers.

Communicate with teachers Learn how they will use it with their class. Ask how you might prepare for and/or expand the

lessons.

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