Hosting a NatureBlitz Nature-based learning activities in the schoolyard By Jill Sturdy
screen-based. A growing body of research is sounding the alarm about the amount of time children are spending sitting in front of screens. All this time spent on screens — video games, smartphones, tablets, computers, and television — is having a negative impact on children’s physical, mental, and social health. At the same time, we know that time spent in nature and
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being active outdoors is beneficial to children’s health and overall well-being, and helps improve their resiliency, aca- demic performance, and social skills. When children spend time outside in nature, they find opportunities to learn, explore, discover, and understand the natural environment. Time in nature helps to build a strong connection to and life- long love and appreciation of the natural world. It also helps get kids away from screens and learn about the beauty of
E HAVE SEEN A dramatic shift in the way chil- dren spend their time, with less time playing out- side and more time spent indoors, sedentary and
nature right where they live. Teachers can play a vital role in this learning as it can be done without leaving their own schoolyard. When educators of any age group take their classrooms
outdoors, it provides opportunities for students to learn about natural history and science through observation and species identification. Students can engage in hands-on learning about local species and habitats through a lens of curios- ity with the confidence to connect with nature on their own terms. One activity that has been proven to be successful among many educators is to engage students in self-directed learning in nature. It’s about working collaboratively together on a common objective. A great way to accomplish this is to do a nature inventory of your schoolyard via a NatureBlitz.
Nature in the schoolyard A NatureBlitz (or BioBlitz) is a time-bound event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a given area. Simply put, it’s a way to help students observe, learn, and connect with nature where they live — or in this case — in their schoolyard. It can provide students (and
Green Teacher 119 Page 21
Photo credit: Ian Shanahan
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