Introduction:
http://www.mothernaturesmovie.com/the-film/
RESEARCH:
Stephen R. Kellert, School of Forestry and environmental studies, Yale University.
"The middle years - roughly six to twelve – is a time of greatly expanded interest, curiosity and capacity for assimilating knowledge and understanding the natural world. Rapid cognitive and intellectual growth occurs, including many critical thinking skills achieved through interaction and coping in the nonhuman environment. Intellectual development at this stage is especially facilitated by direct contact with nearby natural settings, where a world of exploration, imagination and discovery becomes increasingly evident to the child.
Texas Children in Nature (Texas Parks & Wildlife) Fact Sheets
Environmental Education Research Bulletin Winter 2013 Edition (Nature Bridge)
Review of Research on Outdoor Learning
Children & Nature Network Research
Helpful Resources (A Starting Place):
Junior Master Gardener Program
REAL School Gardens Resources
Learning & Teaching Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning
Stephen R. Kellert, School of Forestry and environmental studies, Yale University.
"The middle years - roughly six to twelve – is a time of greatly expanded interest, curiosity and capacity for assimilating knowledge and understanding the natural world. Rapid cognitive and intellectual growth occurs, including many critical thinking skills achieved through interaction and coping in the nonhuman environment. Intellectual development at this stage is especially facilitated by direct contact with nearby natural settings, where a world of exploration, imagination and discovery becomes increasingly evident to the child.
Texas Children in Nature (Texas Parks & Wildlife) Fact Sheets
Environmental Education Research Bulletin Winter 2013 Edition (Nature Bridge)
Review of Research on Outdoor Learning
Children & Nature Network Research
Helpful Resources (A Starting Place):
Junior Master Gardener Program
REAL School Gardens Resources
Learning & Teaching Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning
The Possibilities / Plan-in-Progress
The Big Picture:
* Infrastructure, Funding, sustainable practices and programming in place for long-term success of the program
*Full integration with classroom objectives and alignment with TEKS/district curriculum
* flexibility in operations and ability to evolve; not a 'fixed' entity
* 100% Student/Teacher/School Community Buy-in
* Student leadership roles/mentorship/continuity
*Collaboration with local/regional/national leading outdoor education programs
*'Extension' program designed by students for outreach to other interested schools
* Infrastructure, Funding, sustainable practices and programming in place for long-term success of the program
*Full integration with classroom objectives and alignment with TEKS/district curriculum
* flexibility in operations and ability to evolve; not a 'fixed' entity
* 100% Student/Teacher/School Community Buy-in
* Student leadership roles/mentorship/continuity
*Collaboration with local/regional/national leading outdoor education programs
*'Extension' program designed by students for outreach to other interested schools