A Haiku of my Teaching Philosophy Haiku are so fun, it’s hard to write just the one so I wrote three more… question and reflect team-building, explore nature science and sharing welcome to nature show respect, unlock secrets science is so fun experiential questioning, fun, reflective inclusive teamwork To be a…
Why Bryophytes? These primitive plants are pioneers! They help colonize barren surfaces which can help create soil and reduce erosion. They contribute to the water cycle by absorbing water and slowly releasing it. They regulate nutrient cycling by altering pH and absorbing carbon. They are pollution intolerant since they absorb directly through their thallus (body)…
Inspiring Stewardship towards Plants through Social Marketing The scenario: While paused at a trail-head, students are listening to an instructor roll-out the next team activity and a student plucks a leaf off of a nearby plant, almost absentmindedly. As the instructor continues with the team instructions, that student briefly looks at the leaf in their…
Sprezzatura, what a wonderful word! It signifies a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make what one does or says appear without effort or thought. Embodying this word is easier said than done, yet with practice can be developed. In teaching environmental education, I attempt to exude sprezzatura when introducing students to…
Design-A-Leaf Arts Integration Lesson In this novel lesson, students will focus in on the details of leaves, gain botanical terminology and then get creative! The aim is to foster observation skills, use collaboration to create a group word bank of descriptive botanical terms and then ultimately the students are invited to design their very own…