AGES 6-9

This class will gather on the trail to immerse ourselves in nature through crafts or games. The teacher will offer a craft or game that invites children to observe and explore their surroundings including the plants, animals, bugs, rocks, etc. Crafts might include collecting natural items along the trail; we will have many conversations about our impact on the environment to ensure we aren’t harming plants, artifacts, or animals and being mindful of the type and quantity of natural elements we use in our crafts. Sometimes natural elements will be brought from elsewhere. Crafts might include wands, crowns, air-dry clay sculptures, weavings, collage, etc. Games will be fun ways to explore concepts like camouflage, food chain, ecosystems, etc. Games will typically be collaborative instead of competitive. Concepts will be learned through conversation, creativity, and play.

 

Required skills: Only a willingness to move along the trail and receptivity to guidelines about mindful collection of natural objects.

 

Homework: Sometimes children will be invited to bring natural objects from home, but it's not required.

 

Lecture: Very little. Only introducing the craft or game.

 

Is fall semester required for spring semester? No