Project Wild & Below Zero
My Personal Reflection
Learning the material was very hands on and that is what made me feel most like a child, playing the games outside. The class was divided into group then each group presented a game, this way of learning the material was hands on and a lot of fun. Playing the games were so much fun, they also all had an important message about the environment. While the class was playing I noticed people were starring at us. There was even a few that stopped to get a good look at what was going on. In my opinion I think they were jealous and wanted to join the fun because they would see all our smiles and hear the laughter!
Playing outside reminded me about the "nature kindergarten" in Denmark that kept the students outside all day despite the weather that Last Child in the Woods talked about. It was found that children in the nature kindergarten versus traditional kindergarten students were more alert, better at using their bodies, and more likely to create their own games. The Project Wild and Below Zero are both excellent sources to get any discipline or age outside and the class can remain outside to do the evaluation.
Sangster Elementary School in Victoria, BC, started a nature kindergarten in 2012. The kindergarten class, 21 students in 2012, utilized the Royal Roads University forest for 2.5 hours each morning while following the traditional kindergarten curriculum. The pilot program had amazing results as to why a nature kindergarten is beneficial including: healthy child development, fitness, cognitive-development, self-dicipline, mental health, and support for ADHD diagnosis. With the success of the pilot program, 2012-2013 school year, Sooke School District , continues to offer nature kindergarten and is currently accepting applications for the 2014-2015 academic year.The success of this kindergarden class reminds me how valuable of a resource the Project Wild and Below Zero because they have have lesson plans completed. A teacher could easily take any activity from the books and be able to implement them will minimal preparation, cost, or knowledge on the subject.
Nature Kindergarten Year one report 2012-2013 |