This four-part series is packed with practical approaches to help inspire teachers and parents alike at the start of the school year, plus two FREE book giveaway opportunities! Join experienced practitioners during this inspiring (and useful!) virtual series. Classes will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. on September 23rd, October 28th, November 18th, and December 2nd. Read on for detailed descriptions of each session! 

Select individual sessions that work best for you!  

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

PAST SESSION: Monday, September 23rd from 7-8:30 PM (EST)
Building Literacy Skills Outdoors

Presented by Rachel Tidd of Wild Learning

Learn how to leverage features of various outdoor environments to support early literacy skills in grades K-3. We will learn how outdoor learning can support literacy development and review a variety of lessons, activities, and games to support phonological awareness, phonics, and language comprehension skills. 

Includes a FREE book giveaway* for one lucky participant!

*Only eligible for giveaway if shipping within the continental U.S.

Monday, October 28th from 7-8:30  PM (EST)
Healing in Nature Soothes the Soul: Nature Involvement for Children in Transition

Presented by Jasmin Field of the Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom

The goal of this presentation is to provide Educators and parents with research-based facts and examples of how to help their child(ren) transition peacefully into a new season of life. As attendees learn unique facts about the reaction of the brain and heart to nature-based activities, they will also learn how to implement supporting hands-on activities for children. Lastly, attendees will have the opportunity to see through photo examples and explanations, a range of child responses to these "healing" activities and more, as they participated in The Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom this past July.

Monday, November 18th from 7-8 PM (EST)
Designing a Naturally Aesthetic Indoor/Outdoor Space

Presented by Jen Lewin of Flourish Nature

Discover the impact of classroom design on teacher and student well-being in our upcoming webinar, where we'll delve into personal reflection in creating aesthetically pleasing and inspiring spaces regardless of your design experience. Attendees will gain practical advice on selecting beautiful natural elements to enhance their classrooms and explore visual examples of thoughtfully curated indoor and outdoor environments. Additionally, we'll provide budget-friendly tips to help you transform your classroom into a vibrant, inviting space that fosters a positive learning atmosphere.

Monday, December 2nd from 7-8:30 PM (EST)
Death, Decay, and Decomposition: Learning Natural Cycles with Loose Parts

Presented by authors Carla Gull and Laura Wilhelm

Death, decay, and decomposition are normal parts of life cycles in the natural world, such as when leaves wither and drop, flower petals wilt, or we find a dead insect on a walk. What lessons are to be learned about, in, with, and for nature when we learn into death, decay, and decomposition in a natural context? Understanding death in a natural context can help build social and emotional skills and resilience as we get to know the natural rhythms of life in our settings.

Includes a FREE book giveaway* for one lucky participant!

*Only eligible for giveaway if shipping within the continental U.S.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This course is ideal for anyone who facilitates nature-based education and outdoor learning, which may include: teachers and administrators in preschool, childcare, or elementary school settings; naturalists, environmental educators, or outdoor educators; wilderness survival enthusiasts; and parents.

MEET YOUR PRESENTERS

Rachel Tidd, of Wild Learning

Rachel Tidd is passionate about leveraging outdoor and place-based learning to teach reading, writing, and math. She is the author of the book Wild Learning: Practical Ideas for Bringing Teaching Outdoors and the popular Wild Math® and Wild Reading® curricula series. Rachel gained extensive teaching experience as an elementary and special education teacher and holds a Master’s in Elementary and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. She is a doctoral student in Educational Sustainability at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, focusing on integrating sustainability into the language arts.

Jasmin Field of The Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom

Jasmin Field is the Founder and Program Coordinator for The Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom in Edgewood, Maryland. This classroom is the first of its kind in this area and serves as Edgewood's only natural play space that combines a range of academic practice through nature-based activities and projects. Since 2022, she has watched the program grow and welcomed more parents and children each July.  Featured in the July 2023 issue of the Baltimore Sun newspaper, Jasmin and the children in her neighborhood, as well as the Classroom's local Volunteers, had the opportunity to share nationally the goal of the Outdoor Classroom: a community space for ages 2-11yrs old promoting unity, learning and fun outdoors. Jasmin is married to her best friend, Justin, a Math Teacher and the Outdoor Classroom's STEM facilitator, and she is also a Homeschooling Mom to her three children: Noah (8), Lillian (5) & Evelyn (3).

Jen Lewin of Flourish Nature School

Jen is the director, lead teacher and visionary of Flourish Nature School, which is located at Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center in Johnsonburg, New Jersey.  Through the evolution of her own well-being, Jen has found solace in intentional and natural environments/ communities.  Jen hopes her passions for nature, early education, social/emotional learning, well-being practices, art and creativity touch as many hearts as possible.  "May all beings be happy, healthy, and free."

Carla Gull

Dr. Carla Gull is the coordinator of the masters of art of environmental education program and associate professor at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College. She hosts a podcast, Loose Parts Nature Play; facilitates an international group, Loose Parts Play; and presents workshops, presentations, and academic research around loose parts, tree climbing, STEM, outdoor classrooms, and nature education. She is co-author of the books, Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms and Loose Parts Alive: Inspiring Child-led Nature Explorations.

Laura Wilhelm

Dr. Laura Wilhelm has taught pre-k, kindergarten, and first and third grades in urban and suburban schools. She has been a lab-school director, a program director, and a professor of early childhood education and child development. She has served as a national validator for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and as a site visitor for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP). She enjoys speaking at conferences, leading study tours, visiting early education programs around the world, and being home with her family. She is the author of several books: Loose Alive: Inspiring Child-led Nature Explorations, Enticing Environments, Treasure Basket Explorations, and The Neglected Child.

*If you are unable to make a session, don't worry! We will record each session to share with all registered individuals.