Nature in our backyard
I started thinking about how nice it is to connect to nature in our immediate surroundings. In fact we don't really have to travel so far.
Nature is always there "in our backyard."
Recently I have taken an avid interest in stargazing. I am enjoying spotting the planets and constellations and the movements of the stars. This is something we can do on clear nights just by stepping out of the door and looking up and if you have a pair of binoculars it is even better.
When teaching children I like to use picture books showing some aspects of nature and have the children observe and describe their surroundings as well. For example, Patty's Hot Day by Amy Uehara is a lovely, heartwarming story that features some prairie dogs looking at the shapes in clouds. They can see a snake, a tornado, a sunflower seed... After reading the book to children they go outside or look out of the window and observe the clouds.
After that they draw pictures or tell me what shapes they saw in the clouds.
Another classic and simple English picture book is The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss. This book was written over 60 years ago but conveys the joy of planting a seed and growing a carrot to children. Children can try to grow something simple (cress is always a good starter!) as homework.
Children always have so many questions about the world around them and Why do stars come out at night? by Annalena McAfee gives imaginative and humourous answers to many of those questions with wonderful pictures.