Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and STEM education. Interacting with natural environments allows children to learn by doing and experimenting with ideas. In nature, children think, question, and make hypotheses — thereby developing inquisitive minds. Ever wonder what is living under a tree, or a log or even just laying in the dirt? Have you ever just wanted to know what creepy crawler is in the dirt or what bird just flew by? How about bees? We often think of bees as possibly stinging us and we run and get scared, but did you know that bees are great for our environment? Maybe we will even see some butterflies!
Let’s spend some time outside and learn about nature together. I wonder what we will find? After we discover some things on our walk we can then go back and do some arts and craft projects. Nature is calling, let's see what we discover!
Michele Morey is an elementary school teacher with the Long Branch School District. In addition to teaching second grade, she is also the head Green Team leader at her school. Her passion for the environment has been extended to the children that she started a Green Team with with teachings of environmental issues. Children are taught about their environment, nature around them, native plants, birds and insects, what they can do to not waste food, how to reuse and recycle and to simply install a love to this beautiful earth! Students are encouraged to use their voice and are taught at a very young age how they can make a difference in our world. Students are also informed of the climate change topics and how they too are leaving a footprint.
