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are needed to see this picture.A Presentation brought to you by Jennifer Wille

Dr. Myers’ Lessons in

Learning from Nature

Are activities worth trying……

So, I retrieved some of his activities for your viewing pleasuring.

Please be advised: These activities are most suitable for Grades K-6.


are needed to see this picture.

“I believe that Learning from Nature is a

wonderful book for parents and educators

alike. There is an activity to use for every

season or reason.”-Jennifer Wille


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Here’s your host for this Here’s your host for this presentation…..presentation…..



Hi! I’m George. I don’t always look this muddy……..





Couple of reasons…….



Nature is my friend.



I’m creative and love to use my imagination.



& always make time to & always make time to observeobserve & & wonderwonder..



This is

Robert Myers.



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He has written over 30 books.



Not onroses…

……Mostly on how to encourage creative thinking.



Did I mention………

He won the

“Teacher’s “Teacher’s Choice Award”Choice Award”




www.amazon.com

GO

TO





Over 50 units for kids to Over 50 units for kids to explore natureexplore nature in grades in grades K-6K-6..



Math

Science

Language Arts

Social Studies

Creative Arts

(each containing 10 unit lessons)



Each lesson calls for students Each lesson calls for students to use one or more to use one or more creative creative

thinkingthinking skills. skills.

-(Myers, 2005)-(Myers, 2005)



& allows children to relate to the topics personally & unselfconsciously.

(Myers, 2005, p. xvii)

Each unit contains:

• Setting the Stage for the Unit• Administering the Unit• Following Through• Additional Activity Ideas

(corresponding to the theory of multiple intelligence)

Follow me….



These activities and lessons are These activities and lessons are just a few found in his book.just a few found in his book.



(insects, gems, grass, earthquakes, small mammals)

Activity: Mervin’s Mess

• Students explore the nature of ants & write about what they discover.



(ducks, rivers, ponds, seas, water beetles)



Activity: Fished Out

• Students anticipate the ramifications of over-fishing using a real-world example.



(bird habitats, bird songs)



Activity: Funny Bunnies

• Students explore the various methods animals use to defend themselves.



(fog, space, balloons, bubbles, music)



(fog, space, balloons, bubbles, music)

• Using fog as a theme, children write weather poems.



Activity: Fog

Using fog as a theme, children write weather poems.

(waking up, dreaming, flying, seasons)



Activity: What Comes Next?

• Children us logic to identify natural patterns & anticipate future outcomes.



If you’re a K-6 Teacher



Great supplemental resource

Excellent starter activities

Helps children use & develop their “thinking skills”

Motivator for learning



““Teachers using this book will encourage Teachers using this book will encourage further creative & critical thinking from further creative & critical thinking from students by providing hands-on students by providing hands-on opportunities to explore & investigate.”opportunities to explore & investigate.”

(Myers, 2005, p.17)





It is the flash of a It is the flash of a firefly in the firefly in the night.night.



It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.

What is life? It is the little shadow, What is life? It is the little shadow, which runs across the grass and loses itself in thewhich runs across the grass and loses itself in theSunset. -CrowfootSunset. -Crowfoot



It is the little shadow, which runs across the grass It is the little shadow, which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. -Crowfoot and loses itself in the sunset. -Crowfoot (Myers, 2005)(Myers, 2005)

YOUYOU are are

changing a life changing a life through the use of through the use of

this book!this book!

So what have we learned?



Besides I love nature?

Let’s Recap…

• Children interact with nature every day.

• The outside world is filled with thought-provoking phenomena.

• With age-appropriate activities, children will be able to creatively explore nature & think critically about our world.

Want to learn more?



Get the book

(You could……..)



Research the topic



Talk to your host, George…or your classmate Jennifer.

About these slides…..

www.flickr.com



Myers, R. (2005). Learning from nature: Cross-curricular activities to foster creative and critical thinking. Chicago, Illinois: Zephyr Press.

Don’t forget……It is our job to encourage children

to think more deeply about the world in which they live. (Myers,

2005)

