Birmingham Schools October 2024 program
We were thrilled to welcome Birmingham second graders for a two-hour immersive experience in nature. Students explored three engaging activities:
Field Netting: Students will use tools to observe bugs and plant parts up close, discovering the wonders of the natural world.
Wild Edibles Hike: By engaging their senses of taste, smell, and touch, students will learn to identify and safely taste various plant parts.
Being a Part of the Land: Through mindful practice, students will ask permission from plants before observing or tasting them, fostering a respectful connection with the environment.
This hands-on experience nurtures curiosity, respect for nature, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Students will be able to independently use their learning to...
Develop a long-term sense of stewardship by understanding how learning about forests fosters connection with the land.
Cultivate self-awareness by recognizing their personal relationship with nature and their emotions.
Describe the different parts of a plant and explain the function each part provides to the plant's survival.
Students will understand that...
Recognizing emotions and connecting with nature contributes to personal well-being and self-fulfillment.
The natural world, particularly plants, plays a crucial role in life cycles, providing food and gifts, and connecting us to the land.
Plants support us in countless ways, and we, in turn, have a responsibility to care for them as part of our shared ecosystem.
As Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us in Braiding Sweetgrass:
"Never take the first plant you find, as it might be the last—and you want that first one to speak well of you to others of her kind."
