Junior Nature Explorer: (Flex) Outdoor School Autumn
Your junior nature explorer will have a new lesson each week as we take learning outside as we learn about autumn from an acorn and squirrel's perspective in this flex class! If you want your kids to get dirty, this is the class for them!
Erin Girard, M. Ed
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(940)
What's included
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Each Monday and Wednesday a new class video will be uploaded to the classroom with activities.Class Experience
US Grade Preschool - 1
Is your student an avid nature explorer? Or would they like to become one? Do they want to become adventurous in the great outdoors? Do you want an alternative way for your student to learn? In this four week flexible schedule course of the Junior Nature Explorers series, students will be given different nature challenges in the areas of science, math, and reading (challenges will rotate between subjects during the weeks) while learning about the natural world around. Activities will be introduced through teacher-created videos. It doesn't matter if you live in a city or in a rural community, outdoor learning is anywhere and everywhere! In addition to the challenges in the different areas, students will also receive two pages a week to create their very own "Hungry Squirrel" book which students will present in the classroom by uploading pictures or a video. Why take learning outside? There is much research that supports take learning outside. Benefits include increased self-confidence, communication skills, problem-solving skills and so much more. *A note on how I teach a flexible schedule class: -In a flexible schedule class, there are class video lessons, discussion questions and activities, posted on a schedule. All material and interaction will be posted within the platform. -Students can post videos, copies of their work and or photos and respond to each other. -My goal is to respond within 24 hours to each student's post -My FAQ on my approach is also in this video: (http://bit.ly/WhatisFlex).
Learning Goals
Week 1
-A Little Acorn: Let's follow an acorn's journey through our story. This story will be shared in our first class and a copy given as a PDF in the classroom. We will talk about the weather and how the seasons change.
-Hear a Hoot: Let's investigate the outdoors by practicing mindfulness! Students will also discuss in class how to use their senses to notice the changes in the season.
Week 2:
-Woodland Watchers: What treasures are in the woodlands/outdoors? Let's investigate who and what you might find in an autumn treasure hunt.
-Nature Homes: Let's investigate who may live in the trees in your habitat. Can you create a home for a creature?
-Students will also be introduced to the idea of "Mud Kitchen" and will be given a "Mud Kitchen Recipe Book."
Week 3: Lovely Leaves: Autumn brings about a rainbow of color in nature! Let's look at the life cycle of an oak tree and a variety of leaves one might find.
Week 4: Celebrating Autumn! Let's celebrate the end of our class by sharing about all our adventures, re-visiting our topics from the previous 3 weeks and completing our "Hungry Squirrel" books
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental guidance will be need for the nature walks and the nature activities as well helping student with material presented in the class videos. Parents will need to assist learners in uploading their class activities, photos and or videos to the classroom.
Supply List
Each week any videos and necessary activity sheets and directions will be posted in the classroom. Students will need access to trees, leaves, sticks, dirt, water, pinecones, acorns (or similar type nature materials), old bowls, spoons, paper, and crayons or colored pencils.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
- YouTube
Erin Girard, M. Ed
4.9
940reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
As an avid nature lover, my children and I spend a majority of our time in the outdoors, observing and learning from Mother Nature. I also lead our homeschool nature group in the activities that you will find in the Nature Explorer series. I am firm believer that children need to spend time outdoors, learn how to get dirty, discover the peacefulness nature brings and so much more!Reviews
Live Group Class
$25
for 4 weeks4 weeks
Completed by 7 learners
No live video meetings
Ages: 3-7
