ECO – Educating Children Outside

“Children live through their senses.  Sensory experiences link the child’s exterior world with their interior, hidden, affective world.  Since the natural environment is the principal source of sensory stimulation, freedom to explore and play with the outdoor environment through senses in their own space and time is essential for healthy development of an interior life…” explains North Carolina State professor Robin Moore, director of the National Learning Initiative (Louv 2005).

Your child’s class will be using the outdoors as their classroom this year to learn how to care for themselves, others and the environment.  Amy Butler from the North Branch Nature Center, will be spending    3          hours every other week with the class outside.  This time will enrich and support classroom learning as well as:

-        Immerse students in the natural world

-        Allow students to make observations over a sustained period of time

-        Foster stewardship of Vermont's natural communities

-        Develop of community citizenship

-        Provide students with experiential and place-based learning opportunities 

-        Support current curricular themes

-        Meet Vermont’s Framework of Standards

The focus of our work revolves around teaching students to care for themselves, to care for each other and to care for the environment.  When children care for themselves, they participate in the classroom community and care for others.  Practicing empathy for people often leads to the empowerment of caring for the environment and community.  In order for children to care for the environment they need to have direct experiences in nature to connect to. Our program aims to create that balance.

  Activities and Lessons

Students will explore standards-based themes that will include (depending on the grade level): animal adaptations, life cycles, ecosystems, rocks and soil, scientific method, physical geography, mapping, cultural diversity, Vermont history (including native Vermonters), Vermont geography, and citizenship.  This content will be presented through skill-based games, observing, journaling, building, drawing, writing, spending time at a sit-spot, tracking, sharing stories, and singing.

Dealing with various weather conditions

This program is a half-day outdoor experience, as long as the weather permits us to be outside.  If the weather presents uncomfortable or hazardous conditions, such as lightning, heavy and persistent rains, cold and wet weather, wind chill factor at or below zero degrees Fahrenheit or high winds, we will hold the program in the classroom. 

In the instance of very cold winter days or cold wet weather, we may go outside for only short periods of time, making sure to keep the students dry and warm. We will be outside in light rain as well as on a typical cold winter day, so helping your child to be prepared is important!  Please read the “Being Prepared” section for a list of clothing needs.

 Being Prepared / Clothing List

The following list of clothing is necessary for every student to have.  We are requesting that children have rain pants and jacket by September 26th and all the other cold-weather clothing no later than November 1st. If you find it difficult to obtain any of these items, or if you have extra at home to give, please contact your child’s teacher. 

-       Rain pants

-       Rain jacket with a hood

-       Long underwear bottoms (moisture wicking is preferred)

-       Long underwear top (moisture wicking is preferred)

-       Wool sweater or fleece top

-       Snow pants

-       Snow jacket

-       Socks (wool or fleece, no Cotton!!)

-       Boots (insulated and warm!)

-       Hat (wool or fleece)

-       Gloves or mittens (please no cotton) 2 pairs

-       Neck warmer or scarf

LAYERING is the key, as we are sometimes very active outdoors and sometimes sitting. Whatever your child is not wearing, they can carry in a backpack. On wet and cold days, pay close attention to the layers close to their skin. If possible, choose a “wicking’ material (i.e.; poly-propylene or capilene, fleece, or wool), this wicks moisture off of the body, rather than soaking through. Cotton is not the best choice because it will hold moisture close to the body and can make a person chill. Hats and/or hoods are required on wet and cold days.  Again, please contact your teacher if you need assistance acquiring the necessary clothing!

Food

On the day of the program, we require each student has:

-       A hearty snack

-       A full water bottle

Volunteer Opportunities

          We need parent/ caregiver volunteers on any Wednesday that we head outside to learn. Please come and explore with us! This a unique learning experience for your child and we would love to share it with you. Below is a list of possible ways that you can be involved and help us have a great year outside.

-       Volunteer parent for the day (join the class for the morning)

-       Guest speaker (a skill to share, games to teach, a story to tell, or local history to pass on)

-       Financial contributions (for warm and dry clothing)

-       Parent donation group (work with a few other parents to solicit local business donations for clothing purchases)

-       Firewood donations (a few split logs from your home supply would be great!)

 If you have any questions about ECO, please contact your child’s teacher.  We look forward to all the adventures we will have with you and your child this year!