100% Outdoor Kindergarten - 12th Grade Natural, Organic Learning in scenic Wildcat Canyon Regional Park- Students experience real life in real time!
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Extra! Extra! Read all about my Outside School student in the news!

I feel like a proud parent! My student has been involved in a public safety issue for awhile now, and he wound up in the paper! I was all set to write about it in this month’s blog anyway, but now there’s a link to the article to add on. I hope you enjoy reading the history of this and watching my awesome, amazing, force-to-be-reckoned with student:

“Civics”

The way I teach is about being a part of this world, not separated from it. We are all part of its physical and social ecology. My students and their families are free to pursue their interests. Posted with permission, here are videos of my student speaking at two Richmond City Council meetings (click the images and the links will start at the appropriate times):

Richmond City Council

2/27/2024

Richmond City Council

3/5/2024

The City did come out and survey the intersection, but has not yet put in a stop sign. To that end, when we saw a City of Richmond Signs and Lines department worker come to take his break in the park, we approached him and he said he’d bring the issue up with his supervisor. 

It turns out that there was an injury collision at one of the intersections, and my student’s comments and video are used for an article:

⭐️ Everyone has the chance to make the world a better place. ⭐️

💞 I would love it if you’d share this story, especially those who are considering alternative and/or outdoor education for their children. We’re here for badasses, current and future. 💞


Enrollment

We’d love to have you join our ridiculously tiny program and be one of the people in our neighborhood! We’re permitted to operate in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, which has been our home since 2019.

Sign up now for Outside School!

-2024 - 2025 School Year

-8 Week Peek (perfect for homeschoolers or those looking for a trial run)

-Summer Camp Session 1: Weeks of July 8 and 15, 2024

Be Outside School!

For more information and your application:


Nature News

Newt Report

I didn’t want to share his picture without asking, but my student got a couple nice shots of our neighbor and I in deep discussion about how many newts we’d recently seen at various locations. We were also concerned that the amount of sediment on the egg sacs would reduce the amount of oxygen available to the embryos.

So many newt egg sacs!!! We are still seeing a couple adults as well.

Teaching others about the presence of newts and their egg sacs seems like it’s an effective, non-confrontational way to ensure people and their pets steer clear of these delicate beings.


Inspiration and Resources

“NASA’s Voyager 1 Resumes Sending Engineering Updates to Earth”

Over 15 billion miles away, 22 ½ hours to send a signal from Earth, 22 ½ hours for a signal to come back to Earth. This information fills me with wonder, how about you?

“Don’t be that teacher!”

A letter from Edgar Rice Burroughs to a young Forrest J. Ackerman, who was to become the Editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland. If you know, you know.

“The Natural Histories Project”

I have been remiss.

There’s an awesome, beautiful, poignant series of short oral stories called “The Natural Histories Project." I have known about it for years and refer back to it frequently, but the only place I shared it before is on the resources page of my website. Every single story is moving. I will start you off with Harry Greene’s “Ambulance Driver.” Please do listen to as many as you can.

Photo from the web page.

Take care,

Heather

Heather Taylor, California Master Teacher, NREMT

Founder/Director/Teacher, Outside School (www.outside.school)

Founder, Teach Outside (www.teachoutside.org)

Feel free to forward to anyone you like!