A typical day
begins with a hearty breakfast at 8 AM followed by a chance to
clean up and get ready for the day. Students will spend the rest of the
morning with their Field Groups, exploring the site and experiencing new
challenges and discoveries. After lunch, students have a little free
time for rest and recreation and then get to choose two Special
Interest classes. There is a little more free time after dinner
and then a variety of evening activities.
Morning
Field Group
Students will learn and explore with the same "field group" every morning during their stay at Nature's Classroom. During the morning field group, students will gain a better understanding of dynamic interactions in
the natural world, as well as interpersonal interactions among themselves.
The classroom teachers assign each child to a Field Group, and each group is assigned to one Nature's Classroom teacher.
...are served family style, with an unlimited supply of good food.
Mealtimes provide a chance to interact and to share experiences with
others. The diversity within Field Groups, classes and other activities
facilitates conversation among the students and adults allowing them to
share their excitement. Community awareness and group cohesiveness are
important goals of the Nature's Classroom program. To be of service to
the community, students take on the responsibility of helping as
servers.
Evening
Activities...
...may be academic or social.
Large group academic activities may include an Environmental
Hearing, a Science Exposition, or an Underground Railroad activity.
A
Folk Dance, a Mingle, or a Campfire are examples of social experiences.
A Night Hike may be taken by the Field Group. Not all of these
activities are done consistently at every site.
Working with the Nature's
Classroom Program Coordinator, classroom teachers can select those
activities which best suit the goals they have for their students.
