Camp Creek Press

[T]he California-based State Education and Environmental Roundtable, a national effort to study environment-based education, found that schools that use outdoor classrooms, among other techniques, produce student gains in social studies, science, language arts and math; improved standardized test scores and grade-point averages; and enhanced skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that time in natural surroundings also stimulates children's creativity. — Richard Louv

Art class this morning at a beautiful nature preserve/park. Cold, overcast, and 30% chance of rain. Not ideal? But who knows what we might see on this cloudy day. Pictures later today!

May is my month. Mothers Day, my birthday, and then my mom's birthday all in the space of two weeks. Plus, May has May baskets ... and the best weather.

We play it pretty cool on Mothers Day. Handmade cards. A joint present from my three guys — something for the garden.

Since my birthday quickly follows Mothers Day, and I lay claim to the whole month, I usually get a camping trip or a kayaking trip, too. My favorite present is a great memory.

So what are you guys doing this weekend?

Hi Lori,

What a wonderful interview! Thank you for the information. I have been doing some research on Reggio, homeschooling and other philosophies. I currently am a special education teacher in the public school system. For the most part I love my job; however, there are MANY things I don’t agree with. I have a almost 3 year old and 8 month old. I am reseraching my alternatives for them when it comes to education and I have a question for you. Everything I am reading seems to be art based, what if a child isn’t much into art? My daughter for example will paint, color, playdough, etc.f or about 10 minutes tops, but when it comes to running outside, dribbling a ball, or playing on a playground I can’t get her in! I guess I am wondering how she would fit into such models? Thank Eileen

Hi, Eileen - and thank you! While many people focus on the visual arts aspect of the Reggio approach, the Hundred Languages actually embrace kinesthetic learners - children do learn in different ways and can engage with a subject and express their knowledge by building, dancing, performing skits, dramatic play, and in many other active ways.

And while the visual arts (e.g., drawing, painting, collage) are important, an active child might be more engaged with building models, sculpting clay, creating large-scale dramatic play structures (e.g., child-size vehicles, buildings, rooms), etc.

The idea isn't to try to funnel a child toward visual arts, but rather give them a whole smorgasbord of choices - books about buildings and bridges and other structures *with* a fantastic array of blocks and other building materials, a great dress-up trunk *with* a stage to dance and perform on, an art studio with a quiet nook to draw in *and* an array of exciting things to build and scupt with. And when a child shows a particular interest, paying attention and providing them with what they need to take the work further.

If you are interested in the Reggio approach specifically, if you delve a little deeper you will find wonderful garden- and park-centered projects to read about.

Since you already know your child has a strong desire to be outside, you can meet her halfway and provide her with tools for learning outdoors - magnifying glass, binoculars, bug box, field guides, sandbox, outdoor building materials (rocks, shells, pinecones, etc.), a work area outdoors (perhaps a small table), scarves for running and dancing, a garden... We set up easels outdoors with pencils, oil pastels, and paint so that children can paint and play and draw and play - and there are so many exciting things to learn about outside!

You can read the whole interview and all of the comments here.

Really enjoyed this. Shirt by Wire & Twine.

Have a great weekend!

Today's art class and picnic had to be canceled due to thunderstorms.

Yesterday, we took a little hike. The woods were filled with bluebells.

Anyone else in the throes of intense spring cleaning?

We are doing an enormous space switch that involves me moving my office, my 11-year-old moving up to the loft to his very own bedroom where my office used to be, and my 8-year-old spreading out in his former shared space to get his own room and the whole desk to himself. (The latter of which is requiring a lot of Ikea construction.)

Remember those cheap plastic games where you would move the little tiles up, down, sideways trying to get them in numerical order? That's what I feel like right now. Except the little plastic tiles are heavy pieces of furniture, boxes of books, endless bins of LEGOs, and all my craft supplies.

We are all experiencing some intense emotions about this shift as well.

I am feeling just a tiny bit sad about losing my office under the eaves, especially since I had a tiny balcony with a view.

Younger son is feeling just a tiny bit sad about not sharing a room with his big brother anymore.

Older son is experiencing joy and exultation on getting his own space.

So, not only are there clouds of dust in the air, the arguments over what should stay and what should be donated, the constant background hum of vacuuming, but also a heightened emotional state. Sigh.

I know a couple people are likewise occupied. Anyone else have a big spring project under way?