School Gardens with Ease
Discover how to effortlessly integrate school gardens into your elementary or middle school curriculum with the School Gardens with Ease Podcast. This podcast is your go-to resource for creating flourishing and productive food gardens that provide long-term educational benefits. Learn tips, strategies, and insights to help you grow and maintain a sustainable school garden that enhances your teaching and inspires students for years to come.
School Gardens with Ease
26: Outdoor Education, School Gardens, and Finding Common Ground with Author Lauren MacLean
Let's welcome Lauren MacLean, a passionate children's author, educator, and outdoor learning consultant. Lauren’s books, including Me and My Sit Spot and Finding Common Ground, inspire young readers to connect with nature, and her work as an educator brings hands-on outdoor experiences into the classroom.
Lauren shares insights on integrating school gardens into the curriculum and offers practical tips for teachers looking to overcome common barriers, such as finding time for outdoor education. She explains how she creatively weaves subjects like math, science, and social studies into outdoor learning, making the garden a year-round, interactive classroom. Lauren’s journey from a former field hockey athlete to a teacher passionate about outdoor education highlights her commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among young learners.
Lauren also introduces her new book, Sitting with Nature: An Educator's Guide to Sit Spots, a comprehensive resource filled with weekly prompts and lesson ideas to engage students in nature-based activities.
Topics Covered:
- Lauren’s inspiring transition to outdoor education and how mentors influenced her teaching approach
- Practical advice on using school gardens to meet curriculum requirements in various subjects
- Addressing teachers' common concerns, like scheduling outdoor time and managing behavior in outdoor settings
- The concept of "sit spots" and how repeated visits to natural spaces build deeper connections to nature
- How Lauren's books bring the magic of nature into classrooms and homes
- The upcoming virtual launch for Sitting with Nature on November 26th—an event for teachers interested in outdoor education
Resources and Links:
- Lauren MacLean’s Website: Teach Outdoors
- Me and My Sit Spot - Amazon
- Finding Common Ground - Amazon
- Sitting With Nature: An Educator’s Guide to Sit Spots - Outdoor Learning Store
Connect with Lauren:
- Website: teachoutdoors.ca
- Join the virtual book launch on November 26th to celebrate Sitting with Nature!
Subscribe & Follow:
Don’t forget to subscribe to School Gardens with Ease and check out more resources on bringing gardens and nature into the classroom!