"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 »Be snow detectives this winter! A snowy landscape can look pretty empty, but animal signs are everywhere. Help your students use their super sleuth eyes to spot activity outside. Looking for animal tracks can be a springboard to all types of curriculum-related activities. A great place to find tracks is […]
It’s never too early to start thinking about how to use parent volunteers in your outdoor learning program. Site enhancements like flower beds, gardens, paths and bird feeders need more time and attention than you or the school maintenance staff can provide. Recently a parent pointed out to me that […]
When is the best time for outdoor learning? Any month will work, but the start of the school year is ideal! “But, what should I do first?” I strongly encourage folks to begin by locating a suitable staging area near the school. I like to call it the “Teaching/Meeting Area.” […]
May and June are amazing months! There is no greener time of the year! Here in Ohio I look outside every day and see an ever changing palette of green on the landscape. It’s breathtaking to see the gentle green of tender buds change quickly into leaves that almost shimmer […]
Although change always occurs in nature, the shift from winter to spring is for me one of the greatest shows on earth! From a curricular standpoint, this amazing spectacle of renewal provides a great backdrop for teaching the critical skill of careful observation. The process skill of observation is integral […]
