What is Independent Learning and Why is it Important? Independent learning refers to the ability of a child to take charge of their own educational journey, exploring topics, solving problems, and acquiring knowledge without constant supervision or instruction. It is characterized by self-motivation, curiosity, and the ability to set and achieve personal goals. Unlike traditional […]
Wildlife Education
The Benefits of a Natural Curriculum in Modern Education
What is a Natural Curriculum? A natural curriculum is an innovative approach to education that prioritizes experiential, student-centered learning and integrates real-world contexts into the classroom. Unlike traditional education models that often rely on rigid structures, standardized testing, and rote memorization, this approach emphasizes flexibility, creativity, and relevance to students’ lives. It seeks to align […]
Why Nature-Based Learning is Essential for Children
The Foundations of Nature-Based Learning at Earthschooling Nature-based learning is an educational approach that emphasizes outdoor, experiential, and hands-on learning. Unlike traditional classroom education, which often relies on structured lessons and standardized testing, nature-based learning encourages children to explore, observe, and interact with the natural world. This method is rooted in the belief that children […]
Transforming Free Public Worksheets into Waldorf Inspired Lessons
How to Plan an Earthschooling Educational Excursion: Part Two All photos copyright Kristie Burns On our recent educational excursion (see part one here) we visited many wildlife preserves. One of the preserves, the Lee County Manatee Park, had a great website with a lot of “downloadable” educational documents. These documents were your typical “coloring sheet”, […]
How to Plan an Earthschooling Educational Excursion
Part One: Choosing a Location All Photos Copyright Kristie Burns When we first started Earthschooling we chose the name “Earthschooling” because we wanted to emphasize that education does not just happen at home. In fact, one of our favorite ways to learn has always been to be outdoors or to take what I call “Earthschooling […]
Nature Walks in The Upper Grades
Nature walks are a much talked about feature of early childhood programs in Waldorf inspired schools. They are also an important part of the educational day for children. However, nature walks can and should continue into the upper grades and even high school. This essay by my student Sunii, illustrates one way in which nature […]
Winter Snack for Wildlife Guests
While the kids were out sledding yesterday I thought I would prepare them a surprise. I popped popcorn, sliced up some oranges and some apples, put some dried cranberries in a bowl and cut up bread into squares and put out a knife with a big jar of peanut butter. Then I started to string […]
How Do You Know if You Are Qualified to Homeschool?
Monday Meditation After 19 years of taking nature walks with my children, self and friends I felt like I was a bit of an expert. I had learned how to forage and find herbs and had even taken two years of tracking classes so I could see animal signs. We experienced nature walks amazing ways! […]
Wildlife Rescue and Education
Springtime is here and at the wildlife center we have baby opossums! They are so adorable! The even better news is that all of our baby animals come from captive breeding facilities (these facilities are set up around the country to support a diverse population of wild animals in captivity and prevent extinction of a […]
Wildlife Education in the Waldorf Classroom
Wildlife Education in the Waldorf Classroom A class I taught about skunks at a local library was featured in the Des Moines Register. You can see some photos HERE. The caption reads: Lisa Fernandez/The Register Kristie Burns, of Red Rock Wildlife Education Center, talks about Flower the skunk during a furry friends program at the […]
Taking Care of Baby Bear
If you are a parent or have been a parent or caregiver I am sure you can understand my excitement when I find that I can do something enriching for myself that I love that ALSO enriches my children! My ongoing work at The Red Rock Wildlife Education Center has been such a wonderful experience […]
Sweet Sue and Snuggly Thumper
A new arrival at the wildlife center left Sofi and I wondering what to do. We didn’t have any information about skunks in our Earthschooling curriculum! We had studied mammals and animals in general and we had touched on information about skunks. We had also read a number of fables and fairytales that had a […]
Earthschooling – an Award Winning Curriculum
