FOREST PEDAGOGY 1 – DISCOVERING THE ENCHANTING SECRETS OF THE FOREST (LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA) FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
Forest pedagogy 1 – Discovering the enchanting secrets of the forest (Lake Bled, Slovenia) for PRIMARY SCHOOL
Location Lake Bled (Slovenia) Duration 5-day Trainer Urša Vilhar Target Teachers, experts, school staff teaching pupils in PRIMARY SCHOOL Audience |
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Course description
In this course, participants will learn about forest pedagogy and the benefits of learning in Nature. They will learn how it can be integrated into their own classroom curriculum.
The course format is a sequence of outdoor activities, games and workshop discussion, following the highly effective learning strategy, Flow Learning, designed by Joseph Cornell, founder and president of Sharing Nature Worldwide.
A range of fun activities offers a unique opportunity to dive into the forest with all senses and to adapt the learning process to the participants’ individual needs, considering excitement of enthusiasm, focus of attention, direct experience and sharing of inspiration. The sequence of four stages contains activities that are easy to play, joyful, intellectually stimulating, and highly engaging.
Through practical outdoor activities participants will learn about formal and informal outdoor education methods. Simultaneously, participants will learn about forest animals, most common trees and shrubs, as well as alien plants, pests and diseases that are invading European forests and changing their structure and dynamics. They will also discuss the pros and cons of alien species invasion.
The pedagogical methods that we use are based upon experiential training, group and peer activities, learning-by doing and best practices’ exchange. Participants will learn how to improve the wellbeing, engagement, and attendance of students by creating opportunities to discover their talents.
Participants will also exchange best practices and share experiences with participants and staff coming throughout Europe. They will network with individuals and organizations working in the education field in Europe through everyday cooperation and team-building activities.
Contact us
e-mail:
courses@bc-naklo.si
phone:
+386 4 6202 663
+386 41 499 936
Price: 400€
Outcomes and competences
In the course the participants will explore how to:
- Develop practical forest pedagogical skills and outdoor activities that you will be able to use in your everyday work.
- Explore outdoor hands-on approach and learning-by-doing methodology and experience practical outdoor workshop on Sharing Nature and Flow Learning.
- Master informal activities, working methods and tools.
- Look into sustainable development teaching skills and methodologies.
- Experience in practice how sustainability teaching and learning can be integrated into the daily school life.
- Make education more engaging and motivating.
- Find, focus on and maintain deeper connection with Nature.
Schedule of the contents
DAY 1: Forest pedagogy
- Welcome and introduction
- In the morning session participants will learn about forest pedagogy and the benefits of learning in Nature. They will learn how it can be integrated into their own classroom curriculum.
- In the afternoon, we will focus on the theoretical background of Flow Learning and experience practical outdoor workshop on Sharing Nature and Flow Learning.
DAY 2: Forest animals
- The morning session will explore the forest fauna biodiversity, focusing on game species, large carnivores, amphibians and birds. We will look into how to observe animals, present life cycles of certain animal groups, and talk about fun facts and trivia.
- In the afternoon, we will explore educational materials of game species to help with distinctions and experience sensorics and creative exercises. Group activities will provide opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration.
DAY 3: Tree and shrub species
- The morning session will explore dendrology, the scientific discipline that studies trees. We will talk about the characteristics of conifers and deciduous trees. Participants will gain insights into tree species, typical for Slovenia and that are also widespread in Europe.
- In the afternoon, participants will learn how to introduce a pupil to a tree and its parts such as cones, seeds and branches through different games and hands-on activities.
DAY 4: Invasive alien species
- Participants will delve into the realm of alien species and through interactive demonstrations and discussions learn, why they are problematic and what we can do about them.
- They will learn about different games, useful educational materials, and websites will also be presented to support pedagogues and learning process.
- In the afternoon, group activities with an explorational walk in the forest to find alien tree species and try to identify different species with a help of identification handbook.
DAY 5: Work in groups: Best practices’ exchange
- In the morning, participants will develop their outdoor forest pedagogy lesson through interactive group activities, based on their knowledge and newly gained knowledge and experiences from this course.
- In the afternoon, they will present their forest pedagogy lesson to all participants.
- In the final stage, the day will culminate with closing remarks and the presentation of certificates, celebrating the successful completion of the course.