Thank you for your effort and openess. Learning. Curious. We homeschool our daughters 7 and 11. I wonder if you could, in a sentence, tell me why, from your perspective, Nature should be foundational in our learning? Take good care today, Matt
Hi! Apologies for the delay...was leading a retreat of educators from across Colorado who want to bring nature-based learning practices into their pedagogy.
Thank you for reading. And restacking. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your writing about homeschooling your daughters and learning with you. 1 sentence? Wow. Tough; concision has never been my strong suit. Here goes:
1) Nature should be foundational in our learning because human-nature connections support our -- and our planet's -- health and healing.
Or, here's another attempt:
2) Nature should be foundational in our learning because human-nature connections support mental and physical wellbeing, social-emotional skills, cognitive function, and love for the Earth.
I have so many more words about this, of course. But that's my attempt to honor your one-sentence request. Which do you prefer? What would you add?
Becca! Yep. That was hard. I spent 30 minutes on the task just now
And apologies for the delay on my end. The mama was away and the gals/we are learning this week, both in the garden (What is a Garden? 30 Days of Adaptive Action) and at a theatre camp (Matilda the musical).
I'll just make one attempt. Though I think I cut about 840 words from this sentence...
To match intentions to create a future we want in the Nhà - we assume an Evaluative Evolution is required - let Nature be a foundation of our deep praxis and teach us the values and wisdom of living sustainably: (e.g.) partnership, diversity, adaptability, networks, interdependence, cyclicality.
The direction I went with this very long sentence was inspired by words in your note like connection-wellbeing-love-Earth...thank you for making the effort to share something of your perspective here. Meaningful. Helpful.
On the Creating a Future We Want substack, I share something of the philosophy underpinning and driving our learning in an Evaluative Evolution. The Our Learning section of Creating a Future We Want will begin (next week) explicitly sharing, exploring, and starting a convo about the why, how and what of our homeschooling.
Have you read Sam Chaltain's https://samchaltain.substack.com/ substack, Letters to the Future of Learning? He has a 7-part feature that really connects with the values and wisdom of living sustainably that you mention above.
I haven't but will. Thanks for the tip. Some of the features of nature mentioned are discussed at length by Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi in A Systems View of Life
Hi Becca. Big fan of yours and not a fan of Betsy DeVos, but just a thought. School choice is generally aimed at charter schools, which are definitely public schools. I've worked with both traditional schools and charters (many of both) and the verdict is clear: You're much more likely to get nature based programs in charters. They are far more flexible and open to innovation. I know about the bad charters, but more are led by people who resonate with your goals. (I know a great one BTW, in Mt Pleasant).
Thanks, Thom! Agreed. 100% I've worked at two incredible charter schools - both public and both with nature connection either baked in or easily added due to the flexibility you describe. I think if we look to existing models, Camp Schools would be public charters. I just am acutely aware that at the moment, charters are being co-opted by Betsy and her cronies who are trying to privatize them even while they get public funding. Do you listen to the Have You Heard podcast? They are awesome and did an exposé on how charters are leaning increasingly private: https://www.haveyouheardpodcast.com/episodes/150-u-turn-charter-schools-go-private
Thank you for your effort and openess. Learning. Curious. We homeschool our daughters 7 and 11. I wonder if you could, in a sentence, tell me why, from your perspective, Nature should be foundational in our learning? Take good care today, Matt
Hi! Apologies for the delay...was leading a retreat of educators from across Colorado who want to bring nature-based learning practices into their pedagogy.
Thank you for reading. And restacking. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your writing about homeschooling your daughters and learning with you. 1 sentence? Wow. Tough; concision has never been my strong suit. Here goes:
1) Nature should be foundational in our learning because human-nature connections support our -- and our planet's -- health and healing.
Or, here's another attempt:
2) Nature should be foundational in our learning because human-nature connections support mental and physical wellbeing, social-emotional skills, cognitive function, and love for the Earth.
I have so many more words about this, of course. But that's my attempt to honor your one-sentence request. Which do you prefer? What would you add?
Becca! Yep. That was hard. I spent 30 minutes on the task just now
And apologies for the delay on my end. The mama was away and the gals/we are learning this week, both in the garden (What is a Garden? 30 Days of Adaptive Action) and at a theatre camp (Matilda the musical).
I'll just make one attempt. Though I think I cut about 840 words from this sentence...
To match intentions to create a future we want in the Nhà - we assume an Evaluative Evolution is required - let Nature be a foundation of our deep praxis and teach us the values and wisdom of living sustainably: (e.g.) partnership, diversity, adaptability, networks, interdependence, cyclicality.
The direction I went with this very long sentence was inspired by words in your note like connection-wellbeing-love-Earth...thank you for making the effort to share something of your perspective here. Meaningful. Helpful.
On the Creating a Future We Want substack, I share something of the philosophy underpinning and driving our learning in an Evaluative Evolution. The Our Learning section of Creating a Future We Want will begin (next week) explicitly sharing, exploring, and starting a convo about the why, how and what of our homeschooling.
Great to be connected.
Matt
Have you read Sam Chaltain's https://samchaltain.substack.com/ substack, Letters to the Future of Learning? He has a 7-part feature that really connects with the values and wisdom of living sustainably that you mention above.
I haven't but will. Thanks for the tip. Some of the features of nature mentioned are discussed at length by Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi in A Systems View of Life
Hi Becca. Big fan of yours and not a fan of Betsy DeVos, but just a thought. School choice is generally aimed at charter schools, which are definitely public schools. I've worked with both traditional schools and charters (many of both) and the verdict is clear: You're much more likely to get nature based programs in charters. They are far more flexible and open to innovation. I know about the bad charters, but more are led by people who resonate with your goals. (I know a great one BTW, in Mt Pleasant).
Thanks, Thom! Agreed. 100% I've worked at two incredible charter schools - both public and both with nature connection either baked in or easily added due to the flexibility you describe. I think if we look to existing models, Camp Schools would be public charters. I just am acutely aware that at the moment, charters are being co-opted by Betsy and her cronies who are trying to privatize them even while they get public funding. Do you listen to the Have You Heard podcast? They are awesome and did an exposé on how charters are leaning increasingly private: https://www.haveyouheardpodcast.com/episodes/150-u-turn-charter-schools-go-private