Exploring the Natural World - A Forest Kindergarten Circle Time

When children have regular opportunities to experience nature they grow a better understanding and appreciation of how to healthily interact and live within the natural environment. Time spent outdoors allows them to develop their coordination, motor skills, and better assess their own abilities when taking risks - which leads to greater self confidence and self awareness. 

Observing and interacting with nature in gentle ways also teaches empathy and self control, and fosters a sense of wonder.

In preparation for this class, students are encouraged to spent at least an hour each week outside (with a parent, as needed) exploring in their backyard, a local park, or other natural setting. This doesn't need to be the same day as class, and the space doesn't need to be large - even just a small patch of earth and some open sky will do, if that's all that's available... but the more room and diverse terrain they have to freely explore, the better!

While outdoors, students should first be encouraged to find a "sit spot." Here they should take several deep, calming breaths, and spend 5-10 minutes sitting quietly: to listen, observe, and then make a record in their nature journal (a pdf will be provided.)

This journaling is intended to be a positive, creative exercise... it can include drawings of what they see, rubbings of textures found nearby, pressed flowers and leaves, writing about what they see, feel, and *feel* (on their own as able, or dictated to an adult), etc. Parent's don't need to stress about how much journaling is done or how "well" students doing are making their entries... simply encourage them to do their best and allow them to find their creativity for the practice. 

Students should spend the rest of their outdoor time exploring, collecting (no living creatures, please - let's leave them outdoors, where they will be happiest!), wondering, imagining, and playing. This should be a time for students to experience time outdoors as a whole person - body, mind, and spirit. 

When we gather together online for class each week, students will each have a turn to share their journal entries, show items they've collected, ask questions, and practice listening and sharing in respectful ways as we discuss their explorations. 

Some days will include stories, poems, or songs, or a simple craft or group activity. 

There will be no formal "weekly schedule" as classes will be inquiry and sharing based, and follow a model of student-lead exploration... But the class will follow the following format as a means of guiding students in some of the ways we can experience nature:

Week 1 - What did you see? 
Clouds? A squirrel? A sprouting plant? 

Week 2 - What did you hear? 
The wind? A bird? A trickling stream?

Week 3 - What did you touch?
A smooth stone? Mud? A fuzzy leaf?

Week 4 - What did you smell?
A flower? Fresh earth? The rain?

As teacher I'll act as a guide for students - encouraging collaborative virtual exploration of each other's finds, supporting kind and caring social interactions, and offering supportive responses to their creative sparks and idea sharing.