Curriculum Materials/ Environments for Children November 12, 2013

Mackenzie Deane, Vassiliki Tsiantis, Juliene Jarencio

Overview

•  Our mandate

•  What materials would we use?

•  Our centers layout

•  Why do we need nature in the

classroom?

•  What will the children think?

•  Critical Reflection o  Summary

Mandate

ü Bringing natural resources into the city ü  Developmentally appropriate exploration

ü  Indoor and outdoor learning

ü  Bringing children closer to nature ü Adapting to natural environment ü  exploring their surroundings outside of the classroom

ü Drawing connections to in class material's/curriculum and linking it to nature.

What materials would we use?

q Promote recycling (reusable bags, materials, containers etc…) q  Activity: Beautiful Junk

q  Sensory exploration •  Using hands and motor skills •  Activity: playing with soil/sand

•  Connection to wildlife •  Activity: Classroom fish tank/ Terrarium

Allowing children to build empathy/ respect for their environment

o  Sharing information through books and pictures

o  Workshops- meeting professionals (ZooTeck, Mad science and Earth

Rangers)

Our Science and Nature Zone Layout

•  What’s in our environment?

Tools/ Materials to enhance the learning environment

v Plants, indoor garden and zen garden (Sprouts, flowers)

v Thermometers on windows

v Classroom pets (Fish, hamster, bugs…)

v Books/ pictures

v Magnifying glasses, insect models, nature recordings (music)

v Sensory: Sand box and terrariums for exploration

v Outdoors: Nature walks, caring for plants during walks

GRADE 1 CLASSROOM

What activities we added

Why do we need nature in the classroom?

-Nature is all around us

-Children need to understand the cause and effect of protecting the

environment

-Keeping a balance (Give and take from the environment)

-spreading awareness

-Giving children opportunity to explore

-creating emotional, spiritual connections with nature and animals.

Critical Reflection

•  Areas to improve?

u  Ensuring that all experiences are carried out to the fullest throughout the

school year.

u  Replenishing the center to keep interests high

u  Update educators knowledge by going to workshops and reading up on

current environmental information

Strengths

u  Center could be incorporated into other subject areas.

u  Area is placed in a natural environment close to resources (windows,

materials, and ample space for learning)

u  Allowing children suggest things they want in the center (their space)

u  Center available for children to self-regulate, explore and engage in all

areas of learning. (Math, science, art, literacy)