The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast is the podcast for teachers and parents and anyone interested in cultivating learning gardens and nature-based curricula for children. It’s a show that will help you transform your outdoor space and will offer “seeds of inspiration” for playful learning outdoors. Each week, Victoria Hackett and her guests will share tips and actionable strategies that you will need in order to set in motion, manage and grow your Outdoor Classroom. You’ll learn how to implement ...
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108: Unlock the Secrets of Summer Teaching Gardens: FREE 5-Day LIVE Event
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Episode Summary Welcome to an exciting episode of Outdoor Classroom Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to announce a special opportunity for all garden enthusiasts, educators, and nature lovers. Join us for the "Unlock the Secret of Summer Teaching Gardens" - a FREE 5-Day LIVE Event designed to immerse you and your children in the beauty and wisdom of …
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107: Outdoor Classroom CIRCLE Book Club: #2 Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom
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Have you heard? I have just announced our second Outdoor Classroom’s CIRCLE Book Club selection! It's Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela Hanscom. Book description: Today's kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. Bu…
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106: Tuning in to Outdoor Play with Meagan Duncan from Connected Kids Thrive
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Today I'm chatting with Meaghan Duncan about how effective communication increases cooperation and elevates connection. She believes, with the right tools, it is possible to turn moments of contention and correction, into moments of quality connection outdoors in nature. Listen and learn her tips and tricks for both parents and educators. MEET MEAG…
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105: Equitable Access to Nature: Breaking Barriers with Mandy Slavik from the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network
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Mandy and I discuss the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network's Forest Days Program in this episode. From there, we talk about how important it is for everyone to have equal access to nature, how to start a nature program in the city, and how to connect nature to curriculum! Pour yourself a cup of tea and listen. I promise you, this conversation will mo…
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104: Releasing the Artist Within: A Children's Outdoor Art Show with Laura Delgado from The Montessori Tree
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Have you ever heard a two year old child announce to you, "I am an artist."? This is exactly the result of Laura Delgado's tireless effort to create an all inclusive art show for young children. Do you want to host an art show, but don't know where to start? Laura discusses her experiences with the Outdoor Classroom Art Show as well as success stra…
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103: The Future of Outdoor Learning: Adapting to Change
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There has to be a good reason for the change because it is difficult. Usually, change is reactive. A scarcity attitude is one of the main obstacles I hear from educators who are reluctant to switch to an outdoor teaching paradigm. Not Enough Time Why does it lack? The response from the students The anticipation of out-of-control behavior Absence of…
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102: Revitalizing Tradition: A Journey with The Secret Garden That Feeds
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Have you been keeping up with my stories on Instagram? This year, I decided to try something entirely different after nearly giving up on planting and maintaining my edible garden. In this episode, listen to the story that inspired me to test out a new system in my Secret Gardens that Feeds. I've been using photos to record the process so far, but …
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101: Therapeutic Forest School: Perspectives on Nature-Based Wellness with Tamara Wineland from AdventureME & Trek Outdoors
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This episode is an Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talk with Tamara Wineland from AdventureME and Trek Outdoors. A licensed micro-forest and nature school serving children ages 3-5 in Black Forest, CO. Their approach is not an unsupervised free-for-all, but a behind-the-scenes facilitation of exploration and learning. They use a blended pedagogy that a…
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For most schools, the 100th day falls sometime in February or early March. Many teachers use the countdown in their lessons by having children tally the days on a whiteboard or by filling a countdown chart with numbers or stickers. Many wear special t-shirts to celebrate the 100th day of school. In looking back at the most listened to Outdoor Class…
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99: Starting a Nature School with CIRCLE Member Katie Minor from Wonderforest School
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In this Outdoor Classroom Tour and Talk we are talking with CIRCLE Member Katies Minor about her how her family childcare program evolved into the Wonderforest School. In this episode, we learn about Katies start-up journey, and how she brings adventure, fun, and learning outdoors. Not matter where you are in the process of creating an outdoor clas…
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98: Exploring Nature in Spring: A Masterclass
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Due to the overwhelming success of the winter course, I have made the decision to virtually unlock the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classrooms and share my detailed method for bringing the learning gardens back to life in time for spring. Are you an educator who adores using your outdoor space as a teaching tool? Are you interested in knowing more about …
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97: Inquiry-Based Learning in an Outdoor Classroom with Edwina Cottino
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Teaching outdoors fosters natural opportunities for inquiry-based learning as it involves open-ended investigations into the wonder of children. In this episode, all the way from Australia, we have Edwina Cottino from Edslessons.com sharing her insight on advocating for outdoor play, nature pedagogy and inquiry-based learning outdoors. We discuss e…
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96: Five Ways to Introduce Poetry into the Outdoor Classroom
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Nature is a great resource for inspiration, especially when getting children to write. Inspired by Episode #95, today’s mini-episode digs deeper into simple ways to introduce poetry to children in your outdoor classroom. They include: 1. Share and discuss poetry 2. Recite and act out poems outdoors 3. Write poems in a sit spot outdoors 4. Integrate…
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95. Legacy Of Impact: Changing The Face Of Public Education Through Outdoor Classrooms with Jodi Simpson
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After the pandemic, many teachers began teaching outside. The woods, trails, playgrounds, and parks near their schools became their classrooms. Educators happily discovered that nature provided new academic and social-emotional learning opportunities. Nature-based learning, which can be as simple as bringing natural materials into the classroom or …
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94: Massachusetts Environmental Education Conference
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This month I presented at the MEES (Massachusetts Environment Education Conference). In this episode, I am sharing highlights from my workshop and the overall conference. I am also reflecting on the importance of gathering in person with like-minded educators. becoming an advocate of environmental education sharing our outdoor classroom stories. CO…
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93: Ignite Outdoor Learning & Try Something New Everyday
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Have you ever tried something new and felt like you were writing with your non-dominant hand? Do you ever hear the monkeys in your mind singing, “You can’t do that!” “You are crazy for even trying!” BUT you go ahead and do it anyway…. Are you an educator thinking about moving your classroom outdoors despite the uncertain and vulnerable feelings of …
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92. Seven Tips to Harvest a Connection to the Natural World
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Are we doing enough in our outdoor classrooms to harvest a connection to the natural world? In this mini-episode we discuss 7 tips for connecting children with nature in your outdoor classroom. 1. Start with Curiosity as it is the first step to active learning. Ask yourself: What am I curious about in nature? What are the kids curious about in natu…
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91: Connect with Nature in a Disconnected World with Robyn Broudie from Roots 2 Rise
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Today we have an Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talk with Robyn Broudie from Roots to Rise. Roots 2 Rise Outdoors offers year-round nature-based exploratory programs for children ages 2 to 10 throughout Toronto, Canada and surrounding areas. Offering an alternative approach to education, they believe that by facilitating opportunities for children to …
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90: Five Steps to Grow Holistic Development, Health and Well-Being in your Outdoor Classroom
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In this episode, we not only look at the steps to grow holistic development, health, and well-being in your outdoor classroom; Victoria also breaks down each step into mini-how to steps. They include: 1. Drink more water and less sugary drinks. Require children to bring water bottles 2. Watch less screen time. Send home outdoor activities for famil…
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89. Explore, Create and Play with Charlotte Ellis from Seasons: A Tour and Talk
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Today we have an Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talk with Charlotte Ellis all the way from the UK representing her program called Seasons. In this episode, we discuss, the mission of Seasons and how their programs are reconnecting people with nature to benefit holistic development, health, and well-being. In our discussion, we talk about the importanc…
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In this mini-episode we explore the upcoming Exploring Nature in Spring Masterclass that will be featured inside the CIRCLE Membership community. Inspired by Episode #85 with Author Janet Fox and her book Wintergarden, in our masterclass, we explore how the world of seeds and plants cultivates wonder for children! From the tiniest sesame seeds to t…
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“With a little bit of love and care, a few seeds nestled in pots, and a good windowsill, there’s no better time to make an herb garden with mom than in the dead of winter. Together, a young girl and her mother can grow everything you find in a spring herb garden, from oregano to parsley and baby greens, carefully tending their plants to watch them …
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86. Growing a Forest School with Bianca Hagen from Hidden Valley Forest School
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In this episode we are traveling to the Hidden Valley Forest School with CIRCLE Member, Bianca Hagen, to learn why her school is so uniquely set up to instill a lifelong love of learning in children. Bianca Hagen is sharing how her forest school is growing into a Preschool through Second Grade (with plans to include 3rd-4th grades in 2025-2026)! Hi…
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85: Lessons Learned from the Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass
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“Don’t Be Pushed by your Problems. Be led by Your Dreams.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson In this episode, Victoria shares reflections and lessons learned from the 2024 Exploring Nature Winter Masterclass. The mindset shifts around spending time outdoors during the cold-weather months are always refreshing and rejuvenating. Come listen to what teachers lear…
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84. Eight Ways to use Technology in Nature?
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Children need direct exposure to nature. In today's episode, we are answering the question," Can we use technology to enhance direct exposure to the natural world given children's increased access to screens and statistics around technology use? The answer is yes, and in this episode, we are sharing ten user-friendly tools that can enhance your chi…
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83: Delivering Technology to Assess and Promote Nature Exposure with Jared Hanley from Nature Quant
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What if you had a personalized nature prescription in the form of a mobile app? In this episode, we are talking with Jared Hanley and learning the Nature Quant story. We discuss the importance of quantifying time in nature to help us in making decisions about our communities. We tap into the research his company has done around how the brain and na…
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82. Love is Everywhere! Let's Find Hearts in Nature
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When a heart is found in nature, you might feel an overwhelming sensation of love and wonder. In this episode, we are pondering the following question on our quest to find balance in our outdoor classroom. What is the meaning behind seeing hearts in nature? Can you create a balanced and inspired outdoor classroom environment by observing nature? Ca…
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81: Outside the Classroom Walls with Heather Bishop
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How can parents encourage outdoor play? In today’s episode, we have Heather Bishop sharing her perspectives of Outdoor Classrooms as both a parent and educator. Heather shares her journey as a teacher, raising two boys outdoors, her family stories from the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom, and how she has taken lessons learned from an outdoor class…
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80: Cultivating a Daily Rhythm in your Outdoor Classroom
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Many Forest Schools and Nature-Based programs tap into natural rhythms that reflect the different seasons. What if we followed the needs of the children and their interests instead of standards and expectations? In this episode, we will explore the essence of cultivating a rhythm in your program and trusting children’s innate curiosity, wonder, and…
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79: Three Pillars of Outdoor Learning Adventures with Jessica Kagle from Kestrel Educational Adventures
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Kestrel is a natural science educational organization connecting young people of all ages with meaningful learning adventures. In this Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talk episode with Jessica Kagel, we learn the 3 Pillars of Learning Adventures: Sensory Awareness, Imagination, and Systems Thinking. Jessica shares her adventure stories, how we all can …
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78. Last Call! Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass
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Last Call! Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass The doors officially closed last night, but if you are still interested in joining us for the Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass, I am keeping the back door open for all my listeners. In this Masterclass you’ll discover: How to create a winter curriculum that gets both you and your kids jazzed a…
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77. Reflections from Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass Alumni
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In this episode, we have reflections from our Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass Alumni. Their reflections not only answer questions, but they also demonstrate how this course has impacted their mindset around teaching outdoors in winter. Learn how our alumni developed routines and systems for teaching outdoors in winter while also asking diffi…
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76: IT'S BACK! The Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass
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Did you know that the Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass is one of our most popular online classes? Did you know that the entire class is being revamped for 2024? What makes this course so great? Winter is a tricky month for getting kiddos outdoors, this masterclass will help you change your mindset with amazing winter lesson plans at the ready…
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75. Unstructured Child's Play Outdoors with Teacher Tom
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Teacher Tom writes in his blog, “The central purpose of every human community that has ever existed is to care for children.” In the same paragraph, he notes, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% of American children have been diagnosed with behavior problems, anxiety, depression or some other mental disorde…
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74. Tapping into Outdoor Classroom Icebreakers
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With the New Year upon us, are you setting your goals to spend more time outdoors with your kiddos? Are you thinking about starting with an outdoor circle time, but don’t know where to start? Finding the perfect icebreaker for your group is a wonderful way to warm up any group to spend more time outdoors. When done correctly, icebreakers, circle ti…
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73. Moving and Learning Outside with Author Rae Pica
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What if children had the option to get outdoors, and move their bodies to enable them to playfully learn? In today’s episode, we have Author Rae Pica who has penned many books on the importance of movement in early childhood development. In her book, “Preschoolers & Kindergarteners Moving and Learning,” she provides more than 80 developmentally app…
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72: NEW Book of the Month Inside the Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE Community
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In this episode, we are welcoming 2024 by introducing a NEW BOOK CLUB. Each month we will be embarking on reading/listening to a new nature-based book that will deepen our discussions within our monthly LIVE Roundtables and LIVE Q&A Sessions within the CIRCLE Membership Community. Books are chosen by CIRCLE members and a list will be determined for…
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71. How to Navigate Licensing a Fully Outdoor Program with Jess Labbe from Village Nest Cooperative
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How do you license a program without walls that is fully outdoors? Authorized by 2017 legislation, a limited number of pilot programs have been testing licensing standards to better adapt and fit outdoor early childhood education programs. In today’s episode, we have Jess Labbe from Village Nest Cooperative sharing her story about becoming the firs…
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70. Sustainable Living and Green Beverly with Julia Long and Shelley Lee
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In today's episode, we have Julia Long and Shelley Lee from Green Beverly talking about Sustainable Living. Green Beverly is a response to our climate change and the swift and immediate action we need to take to preserve our planet for future generations. Green Beverly is only one example of how a community can come together to respond to the effec…
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69. Be Prepared and Feel Confident Outdoors with Nicole Roma Thurrell from Wild Med
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From leading adventures on the water, on land, or in the air, Nicole has done it all. She has been an adventure racer, a raft guide, a high ropes facilitator, a clinician for kids with Autism, a Waldorf high school teacher, and a mom, Nicole shares her incredible journey into CEO and Director of Education of Wild Med. Discover how the desire for ed…
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68. How to Choose a Word of the Year for Your Outdoor Teaching Practice
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In this episode, we are talking about an exercise that we do in our CIRCLE Community every year at this time of year. The best part is, each month of the year, our CIRCLE members check-in and become each other accountability partners. Here are 5 ways to choose a word of the year. Reflect on the past year in your outdoor classroom and your outdoor t…
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67. Good Natured Learning with Becca Katz
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We are talking with Becca Katz and highlighting her amazing journey that led her to co-found Good Natured Learning. MEET BECCA: Becca has been a nature-based educator for over two decades. She has worked as a classroom teacher, administrator, and wilderness expedition leader in private and public schools. Becca’s many classrooms have included a str…
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66. Embrace Winter and Shift Winter Mindsets in Your Outdoor Classroom
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Do you desire for your children to be healthy during the cold-weather months? Do you seize the opportunities to get outdoors during inclement weather days? Or do you go into hibernation mode? In this episode we are Shifting our Winter Mindset Taking Action Exploring Nature in Winter Instead of saying and getting stuck with a negative mindset: “I do…
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65. Seven Essential Strategies for Leadership Buy-In For Your Outdoor Classroom
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Leadership buy-in refers to the authentic agreement and active support from your school's leadership team towards a shared goal or vision. In this case, your Outdoor Classroom. In this episode, we are defining a school's leadership team as Principals, Stakeholders, Community members, Parents….even educators. In this episode, we ask: Why is leadersh…
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64. Unpaved Paradise at the Garden School
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The mission of The Garden School is to pass on the essential skills of life to the next generation, starting with horticulture. Much of the experience of young people today is an abstraction—viewed through a screen. The Garden School seeks to remedy this by actual experience in the dirt. To plant a seed and watch it grow is an experience you will n…
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63. Getting to YES! Outdoor Classrooms In Our Public Schools
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In this mini-episode, we asking some really important questions about getting outdoor classrooms into our public schools. Why do educators opt out of teaching outdoors? What are the barriers to teaching outdoors? How can we support our public school teachers? In this episode, we are also talking about general words of advice and additional tips for…
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62. Playful Learning at Kind Roots with Annie Berres
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We are visiting Kind Roots Early Learning and Care with an Outdoor Classroom Tour and Talk with Annie Berres. Please note members can view the visual tour in our membership dashboard. Not a member? Join today. This episode is a conversation that includes: A peek into Annie's journey in transforming her backyard outdoor space into a nature-based pre…
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61: Celebrate the Seasons Change with a Lantern Walk
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When I was asked, "Who is hosting a Lantern Walk this year?" One of our members asked, “What is a Lantern Walk?” In this mini-episode, we are taking a look at: How the seasons change and losing daylight in Winter can lead us into hibernation not celebration. How meeting darkness with lightness is happening around the world. Tips for tapping into po…
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60. Healthy Ecosystems and Community Focused Outdoor Classrooms with Bridger Hahn
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We are visiting Wild Earth Wonder with an Outdoor classroom tour and talk with CIRCLE Member, Bridger Hahn. Please note members can view the visual tour in our membership dashboard. Not a member? Join today. This episode is a conversation that includes: A peek into Bridger's journey BEFORE becoming a Nature-Based Educator. How teaching outdoors has…
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59. The Link between Nature Education and Environmental Advocacy for Children
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“Never doubt that a thoughtful, committed group of citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead In this episode, we are asking the following questions: What does it mean to become an advocate for nature-based education? What is the purpose of nature advocacy? What is an example of environmental advocacy…
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