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Lost Words: Nature Literacy for Educators
ABOUT THE COURSE
This day course explores nature through the curriculum using literacy, art and pictures. Participants will discover the natural world through sensory observation, sketching and wordsmithing using the ‘Lost Words’ book and other nature poets and painters as inspiration, in order to bring nature back into lesson planning.
The book ‘Lost Words’ (Jackie Morris & Robert Mcfarlene, 2018), stands for a wild childhood; a childhood where words such as Acorn, Otter, Lark and Dandelion are still part of the rich landscape of discovery and imagination that every childhood should embrace. It is a book of the British countryside and celebrates the poetry of nature words and the magic of nature and language for all.
‘Lost Words’ has been issued to schools up and down the country but many educators, though inspired, remain unsure of how to share the themes of the book with their children. This ‘literacy’ day will look at how we can reinvigorate a love of nature through words, and even make up our own through the medium of sketching, creative writing and oral wordsmithing.
We will explore our emotional and natural literacy using simple techniques applicable to any class. Through sensory activity and observation we will look at narrative of story, prose and poetry. When this is combined with simple sketch and painting techniques in the outdoors a deeper connection is made with the natural world. ‘Lost words’ is also being made into song and we will look at simple ways of turning the prose into song.
The day will also embrace other nature poets, such as Ted Hughes and Mary Oliver, to literally journal our way into nature. As we move into the start of spring, this time is ideal to plan for our literacy, art and science subjects in school, and to integrate a more holistic way of working outside. We will explore some simple sensory sketching techniques as well as various story, poetry and song forms.
The book ‘Lost Words’ (Jackie Morris & Robert Mcfarlene, 2018), stands for a wild childhood; a childhood where words such as Acorn, Otter, Lark and Dandelion are still part of the rich landscape of discovery and imagination that every childhood should embrace. It is a book of the British countryside and celebrates the poetry of nature words and the magic of nature and language for all.
‘Lost Words’ has been issued to schools up and down the country but many educators, though inspired, remain unsure of how to share the themes of the book with their children. This ‘literacy’ day will look at how we can reinvigorate a love of nature through words, and even make up our own through the medium of sketching, creative writing and oral wordsmithing.
We will explore our emotional and natural literacy using simple techniques applicable to any class. Through sensory activity and observation we will look at narrative of story, prose and poetry. When this is combined with simple sketch and painting techniques in the outdoors a deeper connection is made with the natural world. ‘Lost words’ is also being made into song and we will look at simple ways of turning the prose into song.
The day will also embrace other nature poets, such as Ted Hughes and Mary Oliver, to literally journal our way into nature. As we move into the start of spring, this time is ideal to plan for our literacy, art and science subjects in school, and to integrate a more holistic way of working outside. We will explore some simple sensory sketching techniques as well as various story, poetry and song forms.
THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU
- Toolbox of ways of working outside that will build students’ journaling abilities
- Understanding and experience of sensory activity and observation in nature
- Knowledge of how to transpose inspiration from nature into story, prose, poetry, sketching and song
- Simple sketchbook making techniques and own sketchbook
- Sensory activities for capturing the essence of natural world features
- Various writing techniques for creating narrative and poetry for distilling the characteristics and features of natural world features
- Booklist and various sources of inspiration for engagement with and knowledge of the natural world
THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR
This is a CPD course for anyone wanting to enrich Literacy, Art, Nature Connection and Outdoor Learning opportunities through words, pictures and poetry in the outdoor environment.
It is suitable for Primary Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Early Years Practitioners, Outdoor Educators and Forest School Practitioners, Home School Educators.
It is suitable for Primary Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Early Years Practitioners, Outdoor Educators and Forest School Practitioners, Home School Educators.
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR
- Suitable clothing for spending the day outside
- Sturdy footwear
- A camping chair if you have one
- Packed lunch or lunch can be purchased from the Beech Café
ABOUT THE TUTOR
Jon Cree has over thirty years’ experience as an environmental earth educator and trainer. He is a Forest School trainer, practitioner and director for the Forest School Association. His passion is helping others ‘get in touch’ with the natural world through dynamic learning programmes and hand-on learning experiences. He has been part of the institute for Earth Education for almost 30 years and a trainer for 20. For many years, global learning has underpinned his education work, working particularly with Teachers in Development Education (TIDE).
Check Out Accommodation
You can get 20% discount on our eco lodge or main campsite when you stay with us during your course. Use the discount code: stay-with-us
