WORKSHOPS

 

Nature Play SA is excited to be offering an inspiring range of professional learning opportunities for educators in 2020.

 

These new offerings will provide educators with the opportunity to explore outdoor learning and curriculum connections, the link between innovation, STEM and nature as well as developing the confidence to engage with Nature Pedagogy.

The ‘Wittunga Sessions’ are a series of after school or half day workshops to explore different focus areas for outdoor, nature-based learning. We have also developed a ‘Roadshow’ series of professional learning offerings that come to you. This is a product designed for communities who prefer to work on site or in their local area and can all be tailored for partnerships or school clusters.

 

 

 

 

Term 1 – Week 5

 

Nature Play Program Development for Child Studies and Outdoor Education Teachers

 

This workshop has been designed to support secondary teachers with the planning and implementation of units of work focused on nature play within a Stage 1 and Stage 2 context.

 

DATE: Tuesday 25th February, 2020

TIME: 4.30 – 6.30 pm

COST: $65 per person + GST (Afternoon tea will be provided)

LOCATION: Wittunga House, Corner of Sherbourne Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd Blackwood

 

This two-hour session will provide participants with:

• Background information and an understanding of the beginnings of the nature play movement.

• Contemporary issues relating to children and their development, including nature play pedagogies and global trends.

• Practical resources for program development – handouts, workbooks, research hubs and texts.

• Sample ideas and a framework for possible assessment tasks, including practical activities, group activities and investigations.

•Q and A session to explore ways to establish a student led nature play mentoring program and resources to support.

 

At the end of this session, you will have a thorough understanding of what nature play is and the global development of nature pedagogy, including challenges and opportunities within an education context.

This is a great opportunity to network with like-minded teachers and share practise, as well as leaving with resources to complement your own programs, including suggestions for set text and readings for students.

 

 

 

Term 1 – Week 7

 

Foundations in Nature – A practical session for parents and educators of birth to 5-year-old children

 

This two-hour session will provide parents and educators with ideas, inspiration and knowledge to develop nature play learning experiences for the youngest of nature players.

 

Practical sessions include working with whittling tools, fire steels and setting up for campfire sessions.

 

We will also share ideas for backyard nature play; making natural paint, sensory sculptures, loose parts play and an introduction to weaving.

 

Date: Thursday 12 March, 2020

Time: 4.30 – 6.30 pm

Cost: $65 per person + GST (Afternoon tea will be provided)

Location: Wittunga House, Corner of Sherbourne Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd Blackwood

 

Join us to learn how to lead with confidence in dynamic, outdoor environments

 

 

 

Term 2 – Week 2

 

Outdoor learning in a South Australian Context

 

This one-day professional learning event will explore contemporary and innovative approaches to teaching and learning using outdoor learning environments.

 

A series of small workshops will focus on;

  • Embedding the (ACARA) Outdoor Learning Curriculum Connection
  • Exploring all 3 dimensions of the Australian Curriculum through outdoor inquiry
  • Sustaining engagement through language and literacy in the outdoors
  • Creative approaches to maths – bringing concepts to life
  • Creating magical spaces for creativity and imagination
  • The potential for differentiation in the great outdoors
  • Loose parts play and more.

 

DATE: Tuesday 5 May, 2020

TIME: 9 to 3.30pm

COST: $155 per person + GST (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided)

LOCATION: Wittunga House, Corner of Sherbourne Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd Blackwood

 

This one-day workshop will provide teachers, leaders and educators with ideas, inspiration and knowledge to value add to any outdoor learning or nature play experience.

Join us to lead with confidence in outdoor environments and develop a dynamic approach to teaching within all three dimensions of the Australian Curriculum

 

 

 

Term 2 – Week 6

 

International Mud Day

 

International Mud Day is celebrated on 29 June and is becoming an annual event for many learning communities. This session will support your planning with practical ideas and resources to create your own mud day celebration.

 

This includes links to curriculum, types of mud and soil, parent and community handouts, history behind the ‘mud day movement’, health benefits of ‘getting dirty’ and learning theories to support your practise. Join us to learn about the ancient art of making a Dorodango and more!

 

DATE: Monday June 1, 2020

TIME: 4.30 -6pm

COST: $65 per person + GST (Afternoon tea will be provided)

LOCATION: Wittunga House, Corner of Sherbourne Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd Blackwood

 

This session is designed to support the planning of your muddy events this winter.

 

 

 

Term 2 – Week 9

 

Book Week – A practical session to create your own outdoor learning masterpiece

 

After a huge success with our 2019 Book Week excursion program, we are offering an evening for interested teachers, librarians and parents to join us and explore this year’s CBCA short listed books. Gain practical ideas and inspiration for outdoor learning and nature-based activities connected to the central themes for Book week, 2020.

 

This session will suit teachers and educators looking to plan inspiring book week activities within their school or community.

 

DATE: Monday June 22, 2020

TIME: 4 – 6PM

COST: $65 per person + GST (Afternoon tea will be provided)

LOCATION: Wittunga House, Corner of Sherbourne Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd Blackwood

 

 

 

Term 3 – Week 5

 

STEM in Nature Based Early Learning Environments

 

Aimed at Early Learning Educators this session will explore what nature-based STEM inquiry looks like for early learners. Attendees will take away practical and inspiring ideas to engage children in deep and meaningful connections with their natural world.

 

Date: Wednesday August 19, 2020

Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Cost: $65 plus GST (Afternoon tea is included)

Location: Wittunga House, Corner of Sherbourne Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd Blackwood

 

This STEM inspired workshop will explore practical ways that nature-based learning environments encourage young children to investigate, create, inquire, observe relationships, make predictions and problem solve.

 

The practical and hands on outdoor workshop will give educators the opportunity to:

 

  • Apply critical and creative thinking skills to promote, capture and further explore children’s natural curiosity about the world around them and their place within it
  • Explore ways to incorporate routines and resources to promote STEM-rich learning environments
  • Design programs to embed STEM skills and thinking into everyday learning
  • Review current and leading STEM and Nature Play research and resources including NPSA’s ‘Learning Outdoors Benefits / Risk’ resource

 

 

Professional Learning Roadshow Opportunities

 

At Nature Play SA we value the opportunities to offer professional learning on site and within the context of your specific educational setting.  We are pleased to be able to bring our workshops, seminars and presentations to your site to explore:

  • STEM in Nature Based Early Learning Environments
  • Connected Curriculum: Outdoor Learning in a South Australian Context
  • STEM Back to the Future

 

Contact us to discuss possible dates to explore how we can bring this learning to you!

Roadshow #1

 

STEM in Nature Based Early Learning Environments

 

Explore what nature-based STEM inquiry looks like for early learners and take away practical and inspiring ideas to engage children in deep and meaningful connections with their natural world. In this STEM inspired workshop, we will explore practical ways that nature-based learning environments encourage young children to investigate, create, inquire, observe relationships, make predictions and problem solve.

Min-Max number of participants: 15-30

Cost: $45pp members plus GST (1.5 hr session), $50pp non members plus GST

*Additional costs may apply for sites outside metro area.

Location Requirements: Indoor and outdoor space

 

 

 

Roadshow #2

 

Connected Curriculum: Outdoor Learning in a South Australian Context

 

This workshop offers a practical examination of how outdoor learning environments can be used to deliver content of the Australian Curriculum. Throughout this session we will be connecting outdoor learning with all three domains of the Australian Curriculum.

Min-Max number of participants: 15-30

Cost: $45pp members plus GST (1.5 hr session), $50pp non members plus GST

*Additional costs may apply  for sites outside metro area.

Location Requirements: Indoor and outdoor space