Yesterday, we talked about closing some loops in our homes and I mentioned that today I’d be talking about sheet-mulching in a covered raised-bed. I should probably stop saying what I’m going to talk about tomorrow as I keep changing… Read More
Blogs
Love of Learning
We’re going to take a break today from talking about composting and growing plants to talk about what we as caregivers need to do to nurture our children’s love of learning and living. I have heard and read many stories… Read More
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Today’s tip includes a nature scavenger hunt customized for the mountains of southern CA that should, maybe with minor tweaks, work elsewhere as well. While I generally prefer more sustained tasks like gardening and building as a context for nature connection… Read More
Natural Building
Building things with natural materials is a great way to connect with nature that provides many opportunities to learn science. And it’s an activity that children from toddlers to teens can joyfully engage in at their level with appropriate scaffolding… Read More
Observing, Categorizing and Naming Trees
Using our senses to observe what’s going on around us is a very primary activity. It is primary in at least two ways: (1) It is one of the first activities we engage in as we come to be, and… Read More
Sheet Mulching
We’ve talked some about closing loops at home, composting and structural patterns. Last week, I also shared the assignment that is due tomorrow for my upper-elementary nature-based science class, which was to come up with a design project that can… Read More
Six Parts, Six Parts, Six Plant Parts that Plants and People Need
Generally speaking, there are six main parts that most plants have that help them perform their life functions. Humans eat different parts of different plants. Today’s activities including learning the words to a great song by Banana Slug Dirt Band… Read More
Play with Your Children and Ask Them Questions Based on Their Direct Experiences in the Natural World
Today’s tip includes a specific activity for those of us that live where it snows. We just got about eight inches here in Pine Cove with more to come. But keep reading even if it’s not going to snow where… Read More
Grow Something!
I think one of the most important activities any of us could engage in right now, is growing food. Growing our own food is good for us in so many ways: it connects us with nature, homegrown food is more… Read More
Teaming with Microbes to Create a Sourdough Starter
Microbes, those invisible creatures we need a microscope to see, get a bad rap in general and are even more unpopular during our current pandemic. Indeed, I have little positive to say about viruses! But their equally maligned microbial buddies,… Read More