As scientists, the children have been observing, researching, collecting and recording data on our year long journey to new understandings about the interconnectedness of living things. Regular time spent learning in beautiful natural spaces in our wider community has invited…
All posts filed under “Nature”
A Fairy Garden Surprise
A Project in an Early Years Setting working with 4 and 5 year olds in Zurich, Switzerland A Where We Are in Place and Time Unit of Inquiry Central Idea: Spaces can be used in creative ways. Lines of Inquiry:…
Interpretations and Representations of Mushrooms and Fungi found at the Wald
The children visit the forest each week in our Waldkinder sessions. These encounters form the basis for building knowledge and making links to our How the World Works Unit of Inquiry. This is a yearlong unit in which we explore…
How The World Works: Developing Theories About the Winter Forest Through the Arts
The children in Early Years 1 have a strong relationship with the nearby forest as we spend weekly time exploring there. This natural ever changing setting provides countless opportunities to develop and explore theories connected to our unit of inquiry’s…
International Schools in Host Culture Contexts: Supporting exploration of the PYP learner profile through outdoor learning
“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to…
Den Building
Connecting Threads of Learning in Different Spaces As our class groups develop a growing sense of community, we intentionally plan learning provocations based on children’s interests which promote connections among our environments both indoor and outdoor. We aim to have threads of…
Arts Fest: Exploring our Group Identity, Creating and Exploring with Found Natural Materials
The forest is a special place which has become deeply rooted in the identity of the Early Years Centre learning community. Each class spends weekly time dedicated to exploring the outdoor environment where children are able to learn with and…
Listening to Children’s Theories and Ideas About Our World
How do you know the wind is there? Frequently perceptible, but often invisible, the wind can be a fascinating weather phenomena. Its mysterious nature can bring the languages of science and imagination together. When thinking about the question, ‘How do…
Snow as a Natural Resource for Joyful Learning
As teachers, we spend a lot of time and thoughtful consideration when choosing learning materials. This week, however, nature did the planning for us. We were all delighted to arrive to a schoolyard covered with snow. Snow is the ultimate, natural,…
Listening and Wondering on a Sound Walk
Music is a source of great joy, inspiration and learning opportunity in the Early Years. Integrated music enables our students to experience music as an integral component of many aspects of our program. We have been learning new songs, engaging…