Nature as Mentor
Outdoor Classroom Design
Naturalizing the Playground
"In this process of unlearning, in the process of feeling and hearing the plants again,
one comes to realize many things."
- Stephen Harrod Buhner (https://www.stephenharrodbuhner.com/about/)"
Nature mentors diversity
Planting native medicinal polycultures to diversify the elementary school playground's outdoor classroom.
Articles:
Inside Ottawa Valley: 'Restorative practice in schools includes nature connection'
https://www.insideottawavalley.com/opinion-story/9181898-restorative-practice-in-schools-includes-nature-connection/
UCDSB Outdoor Classroom:
ucdsb.on.ca/u_c_d_s_b_news/archived_news/2018-2019/drummond_central_school_outdoor_project
Restorative discussions in the circle classroom...
Restorative Communication Circle Discussions in the outdoor classroom
Gather in a circle, practice eye contact and active listening, empathy and respect for the speaker.
Identify the importance of Nature as a Mentor and her ‘purpose’ of providing a home for living beings.
Gratitude Sharing. The land grows medicine. Identifying and foraging. Intuitive communication with plants.
Child led discussions: Following the child's curiosity, inclusive listening and learning together, asking authentic questions.
Restore the Soil: The importance of building soil: Is topsoil a renewable resource or a nonrenewable resource? Introduce the wonderful world of mycelium.
Restore the Planet:
Why plant trees?
And it’s not just people who benefit: trees provide habitats for hundreds of species of insects, birds and small mammals. A tree-planting scheme offers teachers the opportunity to discuss biodiversity and gives pupils the chance to engage with a tangible example. It’s a real-life science experiment and will provide you with amazing habitats to study in science lessons for years to come.
Research References:
i. Stephen Harrod Buhner
ii. Henry Dicks, Philosophy of Biomimicry
Being like Gaia: Biomimicry and Ecological Ethics
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331952254_Being_Like_Gaia_Biomimicry_and_Ecological_Ethics
