Books

A new open-access book for educators focused on justice-first and place-based scientific inquiry, following best practices from the Next Generation Science Standards.

This book addresses the importance of making natural environments and nature-based activities available to all young children. It includes stories, recommendations, and research summaries focusing on nature engagement for young children with differing abilities. Many of the stories have been shared by parents, teachers, therapists, and program directors who know firsthand the power of nature for promoting the holistic development of children.

Wild Learning provides practical, easy-to-implement activities that bring core curriculum out of the classroom and into the outdoors. This book gives teachers practical activities that they can immediately implement, and helps educators overcome common barriers to outdoor instruction.

Authors Lea Ann Christenson, PhD, and Jenny James, MA, have created an easy to read, thought provoking book, complete with descriptive photos from a real outdoor preschool classroom, for teachers interested in bringing nature-based learning to their young learners.

Learn to teach outside even if you’re not outdoorsy! This eBook is written for teachers, parents, caregivers, and mentors who understand the value and importance of having their children spend time in nature but may not have the time, resources, or ability to dedicate a regular part of their schedule to outdoor education. No matter how much time you have or advanced preparation you’ve done, there are things you can do with your students outside that are fun, educational, and worthwhile. This book contains 20 detailed, Common Core-aligned, step-by-step activities that are categorized by grade level, time needed, materials needed, “readiness level,” and subject. They are designed to be accessible for everyone, regardless of your comfort level with the great outdoors. The activities are designed for children in grades Pre-K through 5 but can easily be adapted for other ages and stages as well.

Seek child tested and parent/teacher approved activities that capture children’s attention. Inside, find nearly 100 activities, creative projects, and games, as well as garden and outdoor advice and ample resources to set you up for being-outdoors-with-young-children success in all weather and seasons!

Intended to help early childhood educators shift their practice towards a more nature-based approach—wherever their starting point.

Awakening Creativity shows in gloriously illustrated detail how artist Lily Yeh guides a participatory process for teachers, students, and a community in transforming an abandoned factory into a beautiful school for the children of migrant workers on the outskirts of Beijing China. Yeh's open, joyful approach is a model for building healthy cultural esteem.

A comprehensive, color-photo-illustrated guidebook to creating living schoolyards. Case studies from North America, Scandinavia, Japan, and Great Britain demonstrate natural outdoor teaching environments that support hand-on learning in ways that nurture healthy imagination and socialization.

An illustrated, essential guide to engaging children and youth in the process of urban design.

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