"Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives" - Thomas Berry.
At Ruch Outdoor Community School (ROCS), we realize the important and the magic of providing hands-on, intimate contact between children and nature as a larger part of a child's education. Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and, therefore, for learning and creativity. By grasping, moving, counting, and manipulating, children learn more about the world around them.
At Ruch Outdoor Community School (ROCS), we realize the important and the magic of providing hands-on, intimate contact between children and nature as a larger part of a child's education. Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and, therefore, for learning and creativity. By grasping, moving, counting, and manipulating, children learn more about the world around them.
Source: https://experientiallearninginstitute.org/what-is-experiential-learning/
Brain research can give educators a firm footing in explaining why "hands-on" or experiential learning is effective. Professor Leslie Own Wilson, professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin, offers a list of descriptors for children who are "nature smart":
1. Have keen sensory skills, and use these skills to notice patterns in nature.
2. Like to be outside, or like outside activities like gardening, field trips, or nature walks.
3. Are interested in and care about animals or plants.
4. Create, keep, or have collections, scrapbooks, logs, or journals about natural objects.
5. Are very interested, from an early age, in books or videos from or about nature, science, or animals.
6. Show heightened awareness of and concern for the environment.
7. Learn characteristics, names, and information about species or objects found in the natural world.
What does this look and feel like at ROCS? Below are snapshots of experiential learning that has already occurred during the 2024-25 school year. Many memorable experiences are to come!
1. Have keen sensory skills, and use these skills to notice patterns in nature.
2. Like to be outside, or like outside activities like gardening, field trips, or nature walks.
3. Are interested in and care about animals or plants.
4. Create, keep, or have collections, scrapbooks, logs, or journals about natural objects.
5. Are very interested, from an early age, in books or videos from or about nature, science, or animals.
6. Show heightened awareness of and concern for the environment.
7. Learn characteristics, names, and information about species or objects found in the natural world.
What does this look and feel like at ROCS? Below are snapshots of experiential learning that has already occurred during the 2024-25 school year. Many memorable experiences are to come!
Students had a blast taking a good ole tractor ride around the greenfield, picking pumpkins and gourds while enjoying freshly pressed apple cider. Nothing like a traditional fall fun day in the country.
5th Graders make cob bricks as building material for an on-campus chicken coop.
Middle school students hiked to the top of Mount Ashland to meet a representative from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and check out the “soccer ball” Doppler Radar.
3rd Grade students visit White Oak Farm to cook a locally produce meal, participate in animal husbandry, and observe seasonal changes in farming practices.