tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622301314207933975.post4592635278967267407..comments2023-05-03T00:36:34.453-07:00Comments on The Jumping Bean: Getting Back to NatureMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01064645653840767072noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622301314207933975.post-86242621471188495902010-09-20T17:23:45.176-07:002010-09-20T17:23:45.176-07:00A great way we incorporate the outdoors as a compl...A great way we incorporate the outdoors as a complement to academics at my school is through gardening. I teach at a primary school (grades pre-k through 1st) and we receive a grant through Real School Gardens (http://www.realschoolgardens.org/). We are able to use it as we have time and for the early grades it's a terrific science lesson. We weed, plant, make predictions, compare and contrast, and write in our science journals each week about what we observe. There are MANY grants out there to help schools get kids outside and learning for schools like mine who would otherwise have a difficult time funding these endeavors. For anyone who can't seem to shove some nature time into a busy elementary schedule, try to find a way to coordinate it with academics and it will not only get kids more involved with nature, it will strengthen their understanding of what you're studying inside the classroom.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18013344171217725900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622301314207933975.post-85534631487237332702010-09-20T15:16:07.021-07:002010-09-20T15:16:07.021-07:00Isn't it funny the "miracles" kids c...Isn't it funny the "miracles" kids can find in just about any setting? I really think the trick is to give enough time for exploration. Most children have a natural curiosity to explore if given the opportunity!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01064645653840767072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622301314207933975.post-68485030236143998782010-09-19T20:47:10.556-07:002010-09-19T20:47:10.556-07:00This for some reason might seem a daunting task fo...This for some reason might seem a daunting task for some parents and teachers. Teachers bound by their time constraints and parents with a plateful of other things to do and think about. I find though that children (especially young ones)don't need much. Any small gathering of trees, dirt and branches if a place of hidden wonders. The children at the daycare I used to work at loved visiting "the wilderness", which was a small patch of trees across the street. My son recently spent an hour hiking the wilderness and building structures for animals in a strip of trees just behind the hair salon!Jeanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552050760791028405noreply@blogger.com