Teach Outdoors

In this episode, I sit down with Monica Wiedel-Lubinski, a passionate leader in nature-based education. As the founding director of the Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) and cofounder of three forest and nature preschools in Maryland, Monica has spent over two decades helping educators bring learning outdoors. She’s also the coauthor of the award-winning book Nature Play Workshop for Families and is currently writing a new book on nature-based early childhood education.

Together, we dive into:
🌿 How Monica first connected with nature-based education and what continues to inspire her.
🌱 Why nature is essential for childhood development—and what happens when kids don’t get enough time outside.
🚧 The biggest barriers teachers face when bringing learning outdoors—and actionable ways to remove them.
📚 Must-have resources for educators looking to deepen their understanding of nature-based learning and play.

Whether you're new to outdoor education or looking for fresh inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice to help you get outside with your students.

🔗 Listen now and explore how we can nurture a lifelong love of nature in the next generation!

Welcome to the Teach Outdoors Podcast! I’m your host, Lauren MacLean, and today we’re diving into the magic of winter with special guest April Zajko. Despite it being the end of January and winter feeling a bit delayed in my corner of the world, we’re getting ready to embrace all that the season has to offer for outdoor learning.

April Zajko, M.Ed., is an early childhood educator with nearly 25 years of experience, a keynote presenter, college instructor, and the founder of the vibrant Nature Inspired Teacher community with over 19,000 members. Her passion for connecting nature, art, and wellness shines through as she inspires educators worldwide to bring outdoor learning into their classrooms.

In this episode, April shares her expertise on winter outdoor education, including:
 The unique learning opportunities winter provides.
 How to keep students warm and comfortable.
 Tips for overcoming common winter challenges.
 Must-have materials for outdoor winter learning.
 Activities, subjects, and safety tips for winter exploration.

We also discuss accessibility, inclusivity, and why winter is a season worth celebrating in outdoor education.

Finally, I share updates about my online coaching program, Thrive Outside: Grow Your Teaching Space, starting February 12, 2025, and upcoming workshops across BC. For more details, visit teachoutdoors.ca or reach out to me directly at [email protected].

Bundle up and join us for this inspiring conversation!

In this episode, we’re joined by Maxine Panchuk and Brianna Aubin, two inspiring nature-based elementary school teachers from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Maxine, a kindergarten teacher with a passion for gardening, land-based teachings, and experiential learning, shares how she infuses these elements into her place-based pedagogy. Brianna, a Grade 1 teacher with an inquiry-driven approach, highlights how she incorporates outdoor adventures and place-based learning into her literacy-focused classroom.

Together, Maxine and Brianna discuss:

• The importance of having a “go bag” to make outdoor learning seamless.
• How to bring the outside in, creating nature-inspired indoor spaces.
• Routines and rituals that make outdoor learning (and all learning) meaningful and manageable.
• Classroom setup and organization tips to facilitate outdoor learning.
• Their favourite outdoor projects and field trips that bring learning to life.

Tune in to hear their practical tips, creative ideas, and heartfelt stories as they inspire educators to embrace outdoor learning and soak up the sunshine with their students.

In this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, we dive into the powerful connection between nature and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is about nurturing essential skills like self-awareness, managing emotions, building relationships, and making responsible decisions—and there’s no better place to support these skills than in the great outdoors.

Join Lauren as she shares practical, nature-based activities to help foster resilience, mindfulness, and empathy in your students. From sensory walks and sit spots to bird language skits and cooperative games, these simple yet impactful strategies bring SEL to life in your outdoor classroom. You'll hear how activities like comfort scavenger hunts and nature breaths help students tune into their emotions, reflect on their choices, and build meaningful connections with each other and the environment.

Whether you're new to outdoor learning or looking to enhance your existing practices, this episode will offer valuable insights and inspiration to support your students’ social-emotional growth in nature.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How nature supports self-awareness and self-management
• Activities for developing social awareness and relationship skills
• Simple ways to foster responsible decision-making in an outdoor setting
• Tips for scaffolding outdoor experiences for all students

And don’t miss Lauren’s exciting updates about her books, professional development programs, and upcoming events!

Tune in and discover how nature can be your most powerful partner in supporting SEL. 🌱

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Me and My Sit Spot for Early Learners
• Nature’s Path: A Year of Monthly Parks
• Finding Common Ground
• Sitting With Nature: An Educator's Guide to Sit Spots

Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for Lauren’s books and programs to help others discover these valuable tools!

Music Credit: "From the Trees" by Brandon Grant.

Welcome back to Teach Outdoors, the podcast that inspires educators to take learning outside! In this episode, we chat with Leila Mireskandari, a Gardening Coach for teachers, founder of Kids Growing City, and host of the School Gardens with Ease podcast. Leila shares her journey from software developer to school garden expert, driven by her passion for growing food and teaching children crucial life skills. We dive into her Oasis programs, designed to help teachers create thriving school gardens that are fully managed by students and integrated into the curriculum. Whether you’re new to garden-based learning or looking to overcome common challenges, Leila’s insights offer practical strategies and inspiring success stories.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• 🌱 How Leila transitioned from a corporate job to leading school garden programs.
• 🌱 The driving factors behind her passion for food-growing education.
• 🌱 An overview of the Oasis suite of programs and how they empower teachers and students.
• 🌱 Challenges teachers face when starting a school garden and how Leila’s programs provide solutions.
• 🌱 Highlights from Leila’s work, including her experiences growing school gardens and overcoming obstacles.
• 🌱 Tips for maintaining a sustainable garden year-round, even through summer breaks.

Key Takeaways:

1. Gardens as Classrooms: Leila’s Oasis programs are designed to be easy for teachers to implement during the school day, connecting directly to the curriculum and allowing students to lead the way.
2. Skill Development: Beyond gardening, students gain valuable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and an understanding of food systems and sustainability.
3. Overcoming Obstacles: Leila shares her lessons from running gardens in various settings, helping teachers bypass common pitfalls.
4. Sustainability Tips: Practical advice for ensuring school gardens thrive, even when school isn’t in session.

About Our Guest: Leila Mireskandari is a certified Permaculture Designer, Landscape Designer, and holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on food-growing education. She has been running school garden programs full-time since 2013, helping schools create abundant, educational food gardens with ease.

Connect with Leila:

• Website: Kids Growing City
• Podcast: School Gardens with Ease
• Instagram: @kidsgrowingcity

Resources Mentioned:

• The Oasis Series Programs (Lesson plans, student booklets, and support for teachers)
• Tips for garden sustainability and student-led projects

Welcome back to the Teach Outdoors podcast! I’m Lauren, and today we’re diving into Outdoor Literacy—exploring ways to take reading and writing outside to deepen students' connection with nature while enhancing their literacy skills. I’ll share my favourite mentor texts, engaging outdoor literacy activities, and effective routines that support reading and writing in nature. From using Sit Spots and nature journals to storytelling with stones, this episode is packed with ideas to help you make literacy come alive outdoors.

Plus, I’m thrilled to share updates on Nature’s Path: A Year of Monthly Parks, now in its third year and used by schools across North America. This program offers monthly videos and resources designed to inspire outdoor learning with seasonal activities, book recommendations, and circle reflection prompts, linked to the curriculum. You can find more information on my website here or connect with me on Instagram.

Lastly, don’t miss out on my latest content across platforms—Instagram for quick tips, and YouTube Shorts for student-friendly activities you can play in class. And if you haven’t picked up a copy of my second children’s book, Finding Common Ground, it’s available on my website, Amazon, and major bookstores. Reviews help new readers discover it, so please leave one if you can! Until next time, keep exploring, writing, and reading in the wild!

In this episode of Teach Outdoors, “The Power of Play: How Free Play in Nature Builds Foundational Skills,” we explore the incredible impact of outdoor free play on students of all ages. Often thought of as a preschool or kindergarten activity, free play is actually a powerful tool for learners from elementary through high school. Research shows that free play helps build essential skills like problem-solving, resilience, and executive function. This episode dives into how free play enhances learning across age groups, supporting mental breaks, creativity, and social-emotional growth.

We’ll cover practical strategies for incorporating free play into busy school days, discuss overcoming challenges, and provide ideas for setting expectations and routines to make outdoor play effective and safe. Tune in for ways to create space for free play in nature, support foundational skills, and bring joy and exploration back into learning.

Grab Your FREE Outdoor Learning Calendar Here

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Welcome to Season 3 of the Teach Outdoors Podcast! I'm your host, Lauren, and I'm thrilled to bring you new and exciting ways to support your outdoor learning journey. Each episode this season will dive deep into practical strategies, creative ideas, and actionable advice to help you take your curriculum outside. We’re also expanding across platforms—Instagram offers quick tips, and YouTube Shorts provide student-centred videos you can use in the classroom. In today’s episode, we’re exploring Autumn Leaf Art, where I’ll share creative ways to use nature’s vibrant colours for hands-on learning.

We’ll dive into fun activities like leaf rubbings, creating leaf wreaths, and making leaf prints with clay or salt dough. These hands-on projects not only spark creativity but also encourage observation skills and a deeper connection with nature. Plus, I’ve got some exciting updates on our growing Nature’s Path pro-d series and my new children's book, Finding Common Ground. Let’s get started!

Nature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks (Find here)

Me and My Sit Spot (Find here)

Finding Common Ground (Find here)

In this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, we feature Kyra Stephenson, who serves as a Nature-Based Learning Coach at Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School #12 within the Rochester City School District. Kyra has successfully integrated a comprehensive nature-based learning (NBL) program into a PreK-8th grade public school setting. You can follow Kyra on Instagram to stay updated on her initiatives and insights.

Email: [email protected] 

School website:  https://www.rcsdk12.org/12 

Instagram: kls_natureed

 Purpose – How Nature-Based Learning Started for Kyra

Kyra’s journey with nature-based learning is deeply rooted in her own lifelong connection with nature, beginning in her childhood and continuing through adulthood. Motivated by a personal health scare and an understanding of nature’s positive benefits, Kyra sought to make a bigger difference and create a lasting impact through her work. The NBL program at her school is built on three main pillars:

- Academic Growth

- Physical and Emotional Wellness

- Community Building, which includes fostering connections with the natural community.

Benefits of Nature-Based Learning

The program supports Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives, with data collected from Wellness Check-ins indicating significant benefits. Students exhibit awe, joy, and 100% engagement during nature-based activities, which positively impacts their overall well-being and readiness to engage in classroom learning. The program emphasizes learning outdoors, and its benefits are evident as students transition back into the classroom environment.

Outcomes of the Program

The implementation of NBL has led to a noticeable culture shift within the school. Behavior referrals have decreased, and there are initial findings of academic growth. The school has also established an outdoor classroom and developed lessons that integrate with the district's curriculum, enhancing the learning experience.

Goals for the Future

Kyra is currently awaiting final approval to conduct research on the impact of NBL at her school in collaboration with a professor from SUNY Brockport. The program aims to meet the needs defined within the City of Rochester’s Children and Outdoor Bill of Rights. Future goals include incorporating more teacher preparation programs with local universities, expanding the NBL program to other schools within the district and beyond, and creating a generation of Nature Ambassadors.

One of my favourite suggestions from Kyra can be found around minute 37 when she talks about Nature Portraits and Nature Names!

For more information about the Fall 2024 symposium, visit: Rochester Ecology Partners Event

Learn more about the City of Rochester’s Children and Outdoor Bill of Rights here: City of Rochester Article

Welcome to Moss and Lichen Unveiled: Nature’s Tiny Wonders Podcast! Join your host, Lauren MacLean, on a captivating journey into the enchanting realm of moss and lichen. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau's poetic musings, Lauren invites fellow nature enthusiasts to delve deep into the often-overlooked world of these remarkable organisms.

In this episode, Lauren shares intriguing teaching and learning experiences centred around moss and lichen, highlighting their significance in the ecosystem. From hands-on activities like estimation exercises and observation sketches to artistic expressions using natural materials, listeners gain insight into the diverse ways these tiny wonders can inspire curiosity and discovery.

Guided by Lauren's enthusiastic narration, listeners explore the distinctive features of moss and lichen, from their rhizoids and filaments to their unique growth patterns and habitats. Through engaging descriptions and educational insights, listeners develop a deeper appreciation for these silent sentinels of the natural world.

So grab your magnifying glass and embark on a quest to uncover the mysteries of moss and lichen with Moss and Lichen Unveiled: Nature’s Tiny Wonders Podcast! Don't forget to follow @teachoutdoors.ca on Instagram and @lkmaclean on Twitter for updates on ongoing explorations and inquiries. Until next time, keep exploring, keep wondering, and keep marvelling at the beauty of the natural world.