As you can see, it was CHILLY and a little windy. Good gloves (mine were not as good!) and a hood made a huge difference for my son.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A Winter Walk At Wellfield
The other day when it was about 14 degrees out, my son and I went for a walk at Wellfield Botanic Gardens on "Pay What It's Worth" Tuesday. It would have only cost about $5 to go; however, Tuesdays are special days. I hear next Tuesday is 0 degrees. While we're all about getting outside, we might try for this "warmer" weekend instead.
As you can see, it was CHILLY and a little windy. Good gloves (mine were not as good!) and a hood made a huge difference for my son.
As you can see, it was CHILLY and a little windy. Good gloves (mine were not as good!) and a hood made a huge difference for my son.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
First Day Hike 2014
We really enjoyed our First Day Hike last year at Pokagon State Park. However, we were under a winter weather advisory and needed to drive about an hour in possibly inclement weather. Instead, I took the older boys to Lieber Nature Preserve, which is close to our home.
Nature Preschool at Chippewa Nature Center
In mid-December, I was able to visit the Nature Preschool at Chippewa Nature Center. I've been involved in nature preschool programs and natural playscapes for the last year, so it was fun for me to see what they are doing in their area!
The preschool building is situated near the visitor center at Chippewa Nature Center, which makes it easy for families to hike the trails or visit the interpretive center after preschool. There is a shared parking lot and families take a short walk to get back to the building. Just those few minutes of walking outside can do a wonder for the soul!
Read About Nature
Day 17: Read About Nature
I started a Nature Book Group with some friends from Indiana Master Naturalists at the beginning of 2013. It's been fun to meet monthly and learn more about nature related topics. I'm including a rather passive activity of reading in 31 Days of Nature Kindness because knowledge is power. Reading books about nature helps us understand how she works!
When we read Never Cry Wolf we were introduced to the misconceptions and then actual observed behavior of the wolves. Knowing and understand the wolves helps us know how to best provide habitat for this animal and to live amongst local animals. Our discussion looked at how we currently have few, if any, natural predators for deer in our area (as wolves no longer are in the area). Now the deer population is booming! We talked about different methods used to control deer populations.
Upcoming books include Walden, Alone: Journey of the Boy Sims, and The Bluebird Effect.
What good nature related books have you read? Reading about nature could take the form of a book group. I enjoy these as I learn from our discussion and can revisit the topic. I find the people in our group often will bring in additional insight and resources. I have been going to one at Woodlawn Nature Center. Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve also has a book group. Reading about nature could just be reading a book on one's own and applying principles learned and/or sharing information with others. As we learn more about nature, we can be kinder to nature.
By the way, Never Cry Wolf was 3 weeks late to the library. Oops! That will be a hefty fine!
Winding Down the Year: 2013 Top Ten Posts
Looking back over 2013, I appreciate you all joining us for the journey! Our family has enjoyed being out in nature over the last year. It always makes my heart sing when friends of Inside Outside Michiana share a resource or tell me your family was inspired to get outside by one of our posts.
In case you missed some of our posts from 2013, these were the most viewed:
1. Wellfield Botanic Garden Spring Marketplace--This is a beautiful botanic garden! We actually took a chilly winter walk there yesterday. They had several community gatherings there this last year, bringing together many natural resources and vendors in the greater area.
2. Potato Creek State Park Nature Center--We enjoyed this last winter and went sledding after! We have several great nature centers in the area, each with unique characteristics.
3. Nature Study, Soccer Mom Style--This is one of my favorite posts of the year, too. During soccer practice, I followed my preschooler around with the baby, discovering what the schoolyard had to offer in regards to nature. What a great learning and nature study opportunity!
4. Strawberry Picking--I can almost taste them now! We picked strawberries at Yoder's UPick in May and then went to the park. I included tips for picking strawberries with children and nature study applications.
5. Made in Michiana--This is a fun store in Downtown South Bend with many natural elements included in the artwork down by local artists. I just saw they are relocating, but will still stay in the downtown area. Watch for their new location on Facebook!
6. Maker Faire: A Tinkerer's Dream--What an inspiring festival in Fort Wayne! I truly was amazed with the creativity present. Plenty of nature present as well. I hope we all are exploring our creative sides a bit.
7. Bluebird Houses and Bat Boxes--As part of Third Fridays in Middlebury, I took the boys to the library to make a bluebird and bat box. The price was right, the materials were precut, and there was help when we ran into any snafus. Thanks to Middlebury Parks!
8. Places to Walk for Free or Low Cost in Elkhart--Elkhart has so many green spaces that are easily accessed for free.
9. Labor Day at Cobus Creek--We had fun at a church activity at Cobus Creek. While we had a picnic and recreational activities, the natural setting allowed us to explore the creek with other families. Beautiful natural space!
10. Meet New People Monday: Artist Grow--I started a new series last year that didn't go very far. I would like to bring it back in 2014! I started with Artist Grow, a unique natural artist. Read about him in the post!
Did you have any favorite Inside Outside Michiana posts in 2013? We've had great nature fun in 2013--here's to more great experiences in 2014!
Thinking of my own "favorites", I've enjoyed great training through Flying Wild, Hoosier Riverwatch, Project Learning Tree (a high ranker as well), Environmental Educators Association of Indiana, Indiana Master Naturalists (another high ranking post), Family Nature Clubs, and Outdoor Classrooms. I also enjoyed being involved with Nurturing Acorns (or "nature preschool" as my son calls it) at Woodlawn Nature Center and many other programs at Elkhart County Parks. I've enjoyed doing nature studies with inspiration of the Handbook of Nature Study and Outdoor Hour Challenge. I also just enjoyed exploring the Michiana area with the family. We also went to all the nature centers we could find! It's been great to explore my grandparent's property more and help serve them as an extended family. I also had a blast preparing classes for Children, Art & Nature. I started 30 Days of Nature Art and 31 Days of Nature Kindness as well. I'm looking forward to finishing both of these up in 2014! Our Town Elkhart was also an interesting experience! What a great nature filled year!
In case you missed some of our posts from 2013, these were the most viewed:
1. Wellfield Botanic Garden Spring Marketplace--This is a beautiful botanic garden! We actually took a chilly winter walk there yesterday. They had several community gatherings there this last year, bringing together many natural resources and vendors in the greater area.
2. Potato Creek State Park Nature Center--We enjoyed this last winter and went sledding after! We have several great nature centers in the area, each with unique characteristics.
3. Nature Study, Soccer Mom Style--This is one of my favorite posts of the year, too. During soccer practice, I followed my preschooler around with the baby, discovering what the schoolyard had to offer in regards to nature. What a great learning and nature study opportunity!
4. Strawberry Picking--I can almost taste them now! We picked strawberries at Yoder's UPick in May and then went to the park. I included tips for picking strawberries with children and nature study applications.
5. Made in Michiana--This is a fun store in Downtown South Bend with many natural elements included in the artwork down by local artists. I just saw they are relocating, but will still stay in the downtown area. Watch for their new location on Facebook!
6. Maker Faire: A Tinkerer's Dream--What an inspiring festival in Fort Wayne! I truly was amazed with the creativity present. Plenty of nature present as well. I hope we all are exploring our creative sides a bit.
7. Bluebird Houses and Bat Boxes--As part of Third Fridays in Middlebury, I took the boys to the library to make a bluebird and bat box. The price was right, the materials were precut, and there was help when we ran into any snafus. Thanks to Middlebury Parks!
8. Places to Walk for Free or Low Cost in Elkhart--Elkhart has so many green spaces that are easily accessed for free.
9. Labor Day at Cobus Creek--We had fun at a church activity at Cobus Creek. While we had a picnic and recreational activities, the natural setting allowed us to explore the creek with other families. Beautiful natural space!
10. Meet New People Monday: Artist Grow--I started a new series last year that didn't go very far. I would like to bring it back in 2014! I started with Artist Grow, a unique natural artist. Read about him in the post!
Did you have any favorite Inside Outside Michiana posts in 2013? We've had great nature fun in 2013--here's to more great experiences in 2014!
Thinking of my own "favorites", I've enjoyed great training through Flying Wild, Hoosier Riverwatch, Project Learning Tree (a high ranker as well), Environmental Educators Association of Indiana, Indiana Master Naturalists (another high ranking post), Family Nature Clubs, and Outdoor Classrooms. I also enjoyed being involved with Nurturing Acorns (or "nature preschool" as my son calls it) at Woodlawn Nature Center and many other programs at Elkhart County Parks. I've enjoyed doing nature studies with inspiration of the Handbook of Nature Study and Outdoor Hour Challenge. I also just enjoyed exploring the Michiana area with the family. We also went to all the nature centers we could find! It's been great to explore my grandparent's property more and help serve them as an extended family. I also had a blast preparing classes for Children, Art & Nature. I started 30 Days of Nature Art and 31 Days of Nature Kindness as well. I'm looking forward to finishing both of these up in 2014! Our Town Elkhart was also an interesting experience! What a great nature filled year!
31 Days of Nature Kindness
In this season of giving, why not take a break from the hustle and bustle to be kind to nature? Being kind to nature can be much more than just "hugging a tree", doesn't have to add much to one's to do list, and is often free! Join us as we look at ways to be kind to NATURE in December!
Day 1: Pick up Trash
Day 2: Share Nature with Others
Day 3: Give a Membership
Day 4: Feed the Birds
Day 5: Share Nature Art with Others
Day 6: Bird Watches
Day 7: Wish Lists
Day 8: Service Projects
Day 9: Indiana Master Naturalists
Day 10: Join INPAWS
Day 11: Recycle
Day 12: Say Thank You
Day 13: Be Kind with Snow Fights
Day 14: Composting
Day 15: Remove Invasive Species
Day 16: Give Cold Weather Gear
Day 17: Read About Nature
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The Stanley Clark School: An Inspiration to Nature Education
In December, I was privileged to tour Fannin Hall, The Early Childhood Center at the Stanley Clark School in South Bend. It is a private, Reggio inspired learning atmosphere. It was a chilly day (5 degrees) when I visited. Most schools in the area have a policy of staying inside if the temperature is below 20 degrees. While I didn't see much outdoor play, I saw plenty of nature inside with very intentional views of the outside. It's obvious the students are often outside when it's not so chilly!
Are you familiar with the Reggio Emilia approach to learning? This article gives a brief introduction. Learning is visible and student led. Community and the environment are powerful teachers and learning tools--they are part of the process, not just the setting for learning. Parents, teachers, and the child work together in the learning process. I attended a couple of sessions on the Reggio approach a few years ago at the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children's state conference. I was struck with the natural materials, community connections, and authentic learning.
Are you familiar with the Reggio Emilia approach to learning? This article gives a brief introduction. Learning is visible and student led. Community and the environment are powerful teachers and learning tools--they are part of the process, not just the setting for learning. Parents, teachers, and the child work together in the learning process. I attended a couple of sessions on the Reggio approach a few years ago at the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children's state conference. I was struck with the natural materials, community connections, and authentic learning.
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