WELCOME TO THE NATURAL LIBRARY: The Essential Role of Libraries in Creating Nature-Rich

I was excited to see this post about "natural libraries" the day after I wrote about the importance of books and libraries. This is a positive approach to reading, learning, and connecting in all communities to nature.

Nature, Books and Summer

I just read this National Education Association article on the importance of summer reading in preventing academic slide.  The article reminded me how last summer I was very  disappointed that the Library Summer Reading Program in our city had turned into a Summer of Learning program where you wrote down experiences rather than books.  The reason I was disappointed was because while experiences are very important I feel the library should promote books to extend and expand learning experiences as well as give us a common language and reference. 

As a mother I regularly pay attention to what my children are interested in. Then I reserve books on the library website so that we can read them at all times of the day and night.  If the rock collection on our front porch becomes of interest again - I look for books that we may read to raise questions and inspire wonder.  Quiet times of reading are cozy and fun. We just delight in holding the books in our hands.  A few books we own, but mostly we check out books a dozen at a time.  Some make a rotation in our lives as I order them again and again from the library at different seasons of the year and during different years in my children’s lives. 

I have made a few book lists with the Seattle Public Library (see side bar), but I encourage everyone to make their own.  You and your children will discover your own favorites.  The goal is that everyone loves reading and learning happens.

Throughout early childhood it is fine to just have experiences and read books.  Kids might not realize they are learning, but they are!

This year it turns out the library does once again have a place for listing books.  It is in the back of a workbook of science and critical thinking activities.  I didn't think my kids would be into it, but they have truly enjoyed it.  Maybe there is a way for libraries to expand on the opportunity they providing for children.  I just hope that within that they don't leave behind books!

Family Camp

This past weekend my family had the privilege of attending the Nature Bridge Family Camp.  It was an amazing opportunity to get out of the city and into nature as well as get some environmental and science education.  The whole family loved it.  However it was the boys request to go again that made me thrilled!

Our weekend was embedded in the theme of the Elwha River which is now running free!  We were able to see the now dry lake beds that are now being restored as the Elwha finds its natural pathway again.  We were also able to go to the mouth of the river to see the delta- where the river meets the ocean. We searched for macro-invertebrates and did other water quality tests as well.  Back on campus the kids did land and water models- all this leading to a rich understanding of the topic!

The educators were fabulous and led a multi-generation experience fabulously.   Our educator connected with all the children within minutes of our arrival and by the end of the experience our group of three families had all connected to one another and to several of the unique ecosystems on the Olympic Peninsula.

Flickers in the neighborhood

Last week I saw four Northern Flickers within one block and on a bike ride today I saw two on one block.  I have since been trying to learn more about them.  Flickers make cavity nests and also love ants- so you often find them on the ground.

I am thinking that it is nesting time. I heard one busy flicker pecking aways at a telephone post. One pair was doing a 'dueling dance' making a cacophony of calls and fluttering their wings and tail feathers as they danced in around the wires extending from a telephone pole.

Urban nature exists and it is a joy to watch it and learn from it.

Outdoors Before School

Every morning I am thankful that my children walk to school.  I know that whether or not there is indoor recess all day- my boys will have experienced the outdoors for a few (15 minutes) and that by the end of the day they will get another opportunity. We talk.  We play and sometimes we dawdle.  But, overall we check in and transition from the world of our home to the world of school.

I have written about this before & even provided links to research that show the benefits of walking, but reading an article about a boys before school gardening club, has me really excited.  I love knowing that other children are getting this out of door experience, nutrition, and bonding.  My bet is that they are having more success in school as well.

It has been many many years since I ran cross country or track, however it was the 6 a.m. runs, four days a week, that I remember most keenly from high school.  It was during those times that in tired delirium my teammates and I shared joys, fears and dreams.  It was a time when we connected even if during the day cliques and class schedules kept us apart.  I remember the bliss of seeing a gorgeous sunrise and the curious awakenings of the city.  We even were able to run to a bakery on Thursday mornings where they would give us hot out of the oven fresh donuts.   A garden club is different, but to greet the morning, each other and a garden- what a wonderful start!

Reflections on Hiking with Big Groups

Leading 25, 5-6 year old, students and their chaperones on a nature hike has many  joys and challenges.  One challenge is finding the right noise level. Hiking the majestic forest of Seward Park we do a few quiet listening activities but we also explore with glee.  If the students are quiet they may hear a woodpecker and yet it is hard to stop the students from merrily counting out…”18 , 19…20  slugs!” 

The goal is not just what we can discover in a single day, but rather a connection to the forest for life.   We do this by engaging our senses in myriads of ways.  Besides listening and pointing in the directions we hear I also have students touch  and hear stories about the numerous plants along the paths.  I remind them to look up look, down and all around.  I also try to have them compare and contrast different plants and  trees and I incorporate pair share as often as possible. 

Nonetheless at the end of a hike it is sometimes hard to know what each student has experienced in the forest.  Reflecting on this makes me realize that I should ask:  What was one thing that was most exciting for you as we experienced the forest?  Maybe I could make it a ritual goodbye as each child leaves the forest have them say, “thank you forest for …”

Quick Notes on a May Toddler Tales and Trails

Today’s theme was birds and their nests and how to watch for signs of birds nesting.  At this time of the year slow down and watch around you.  Do you notice birds flying back and forth to one tree, a bird house or to nest you may have just noticed in the eave of a house?  Use your ears: Listen.  Are little birds tweeting?  Are the parent birds and perhaps supporting family members busily bringing food back to their babies? 

I was unable to get a hold of the story I had planned on reading today Have You Heard the Nesting Bird however we did read a few fun non-fiction stories  Birds by Kevin Henkes and Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton.  We also looked at pictures of birds nests in the book Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City by Barbara Nash. Then as we hiked we did a short nest making activity and game where we made paper bag nests.  We hid them in nearby bushes and pretended they were our nests and we needed to feed our babies- gathering pretend worms and insects.  Finally we went on a hike looking for bugs. We looked in the bark of several trees.  We shook the low branches of a fir tree onto a sheet.  

So many books.  So many trails. So many birds.  So many songs.  So many activities. I am looking forward to next month already!