Hello!
Happy summer! Our time with students this year was so gratifying–so many moments, excitable interactions, and AHAs with students we missed when everything was remote.
Thanks to a grant from Metro, we rolled out a new activity, Introduction to the Land, created in conjunction with Wisdom of the Elders and The Wetlands Conservancy. Students engaged with the land in new ways by physically introducing themselves to the habitats they would be working and learning with over the school year. The lesson encourages students to view the land as a living entity they are in a relationship with. Many students appreciated the space to connect more deeply with each other and the nature around them.
We also tested our new Climate Action lessons with Cedar Park Middle School students. It was an invaluable experience as we continue to develop, improve, and expand our climate literacy curriculum. Early reports show enthusiastic teachers and students!
"We are so grateful to the ECO team! Your joy and passion for what you do, inclusive practices, and love of learning are contagious!"
The teaching power of nature was as evident as ever. All types of learners benefit from exploring outdoors, especially those who struggle to focus in the classroom. This past spring, Kelly Elementary fourth graders dispersed to make sensory-based observations in the schoolyard. One student spent 20 minutes quietly sitting in front of a lavender bush humming with bee activity. Her teacher was amazed to see her captivated and her attention fixed for so long. The student remarked, “I could watch bees all day.”
With the school year wrapped up, most of us here will be enjoying the extra time outdoors at a slower–and quieter–pace. We will pause and use this time to continue to improve our programming for the students, teachers, and nonhuman beings we share this corner of the planet with.
Go, connect with nature!
đź’š Your ECO Team

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