"At a time when children's natural curiosity about the outdoors is eclipsed by the demands of busy schedules and the ever-present glow of video screens, schools may be the only place where they are encouraged to interact with nature."
"Herb Broda, a natural teacher for over forty years, offers this wonderful prescription for every school, a practical, inspiring guide to creating the outdoor classroom and giving children the gift of nature."
"Herb's done the fieldwork so we don't have to...he dismantles every roadblock and provides clever dynamics for motivating staff, parents, and students to connect with the outdoors and improve learning."
Herb is a professor of education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Ashland University...
Read more »Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning and Moving the Classroom Outdoors explore how the school grounds can become an enriching extension of the classroom...
Read more »Anyone that interacts with children and introduces them to the wonder and complexity of nature is a teacher!
Read more »Wildsnapping Author Richard Louv uses this term to describe children and adults taking pictures of the nature around them. Wildsnapping blends children’s attraction to technology with the richness of the outdoors. Since photography is free and handy with a phone, kids can experiment with all types of angles, subjects and […]
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there definitely are free schoolyard learning resources! One of the best sets of materials available is provided through the joint efforts of Green Schoolyards America and The International School Grounds Alliance. According to its website, the International School Grounds […]
Pinecones can predict the weather! No need for fancy equipment—pinecones are nature’s hygrometer. All you need are three or four pine cones. Have your kids line them up on a window sill, or use some sticky tack to hold them upright. In dry weather, the pinecones open, and in wet […]
Field trips are still one of the best ways to provide concrete examples of abstract concepts. They are effective at all grade levels and in every content area. Since shrinking budgets have reduced field trip opportunities, it’s critical to maximize the experience. Here are a few thoughts to consider: Pre-trip […]
Sometimes simple things can be the most memorable. One of my warmest and most vivid fall memories is of colorful leaves raining down from the trees in a gentle breeze. When our children were growing up we would take hikes on those glorious fall days, and challenge each other to […]
