Nature in the Neighborhood
Nature in the Neighborhood invites students to explore and connect with the natural world right outside our school. Each week, students embark on guided nature walks through our immediate neighborhood, learning to slow down, look closely, and notice patterns and changes in the environment. Through these experiences, students develop the habits of careful observation, curiosity, and respect for the natural world.
Throughout the year, students engage in hands-on, seasonally inspired activities such as bark and leaf rubbings, seed sorting and collages, and scavenger hunts for colors, shapes, and textures in nature. As the seasons shift, students document what they notice, how the same tree, patch of grass, or corner of the playground changes over time.
Each class also “adopts” a Special Spot within a short walk from school, a familiar place in nature that becomes their outdoor classroom. By returning to this spot week after week, students develop a sense of stewardship and belonging, deepening their understanding of seasonal cycles, weather patterns, and the interconnectedness of living things.
Nature in the Neighborhood nurtures scientific thinking and inquiry skills that serve as the foundation for later science learning. Students learn to ask thoughtful questions, make predictions, record observations, and share discoveries — all while cultivating wonder and appreciation for the natural beauty in their own neighborhood.
