Hands On Nature

This long-awaited revision of a popular book provides information and activities to assist educators and parents in exploring the local environment with children. Fact-filled essays introduce each subject, followed by field-tested, experiential activities that engage students in learning about the natural world. 115 illustrations.

In the early twentieth century, a curriculum known as nature study flourished in major city school systems, streetcar suburbs, small towns, and even rural one-room schools. This object-based approach to learning about the natural world marked the first systematic attempt to introduce science into elementary education, and it came at a time when institutions such as zoos, botanical gardens, natural history museums, and national parks were promoting the idea that direct knowledge of nature would benefit an increasingly urban and industrial nation. The definitive history of this once pervasive nature study movement, TeachingChildren Science emphasizes the scientific, pedagogical, and social incentives that encouraged primarily women teachers to explore nature in and beyond their classrooms. Sally Gregory Kohlstedt brings to vivid life the instructors and reformers who advanced nature study through on-campus schools, summer programs, textbooks, and public speaking. Within a generation, this highly successful hands-on approach migrated beyond public schools into summer camps, afterschool activities, and the scouting movement. Although the rich diversity of nature study classes eventually lost ground to increasingly standardized curricula, Kohlstedt locates its legacy in the living plants and animals in classrooms and environmental field trips that remain central parts of science education today.

Hands-On! Nature is designed with any classroom in mind, aiding teachers and students both in the school environment and the at-home classroom by educating children about the amazing subject of nature, and more importantly, giving young learners the tools they need to explore and learn about nature on their own. Each project in this book is specifically designed to place the ability to discover in the hands of young minds. Simple text provides an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to each project, a brief explanation to why it works and ideas for further activities. In addition, every single project is accompanied by colorful illustrations and appealing photographs, aimed to enhance children's understanding and engage the reader. Each book in the series also comes equipped with a comprehensive glossary and index, enriching and aiding the learning experience. We are sure our readers will finish these books with a new understanding of each subject matter, and newfound abilities to explore and discover their world on their own.

A guide for parents, outdoor educators, play rangers, forest school leaders and teachers, 'I Love My World' is full of practical ideas which can be used to rekindle the naturally playful spirit and develop a deep connection with nature from an early age.

The beloved host of PBS Kids' Dinosaur Train presents an activity-complemented guide for caregivers and teachers on how to alleviate common childhood challenges by forging strong connections between children and nature. 25,000 first printing.

Explores the outdoors and teaches about a variety of plants and animals with over sixty suggested activities.

“A wealth of ideas for adults to engage children and themselves in the wonders of the natural world with suggested activities for all seasons.”―Robert Bateman, artist and author of Life Sketches: A Memoir The Big Book of Nature Activities is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate, and connect with the natural world. This rich, fully illustrated compendium is packed with crafts, stories, information, and inspiration to make outdoor learning fun! The Big Book of Nature Activities features: · Nature-based skills and activities such as species identification, photography, journaling, and the judicious use of digital technology · Ideas, games, and activities grounded in what’s happening in nature each season · Core concepts that promote environmental literacy, such as climate change and the mechanisms and wonder of evolution, explained using a child-friendly, engaging approach · Lists of key species and happenings to observe throughout the year across most of North America