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Nature-Based Homeschoolers
Mission
Our program is designed to supplement the instruction you are doing at home. We intend to give children a space to explore and deepen their relationship with their natural environment, while having the opportunity to build relationships with peers. Through this program, children will also have the opportunity to grow in confidence and self-understanding. In addition, we will include activities that you can include in your homeschool portfolios!
Program Snapshot
Example
Themes
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Conservation/Nature Appreciation
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Local Plants and Animals- Winter Edition
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Outdoor Survival Skills
Highlighted Activities
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Mandala creations using natural materials
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Leave No Trace Principles
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Plant and animal tracks identification
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Seasonal produce snack creation
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Navigation using a map and compass
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Shelter building
Empower
Growth
Social Emotional
Guiding children to create an emotional "toolbox" is one of the most valuable things we can do to help them become responsible, compassionate, and independent individuals. At Open Air, we aim to guide students in practicing ways to identify, describe, and manage their emotions in real life situations. Through a variety of mediums and activities, students will have opportunities to grow in their collaboration and communication skills, as well as their independent problem-solving skills.
Example ODE Social Emotional Standard that this program meets:
Competency E: Responsible Decision-Making
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E4. 1.b Explore new opportunities to expand one’s knowledge and experiences
Meet Tiffany Ward
I'm Tiffany, the nature-based homeschooling program leader for this winter. Some of my favorite topics to teach children are: Leave No Trace principles; local plants and animals identification; and outdoor survival skills, such as navigation using a map and/or compass. Hosting a small homeschool group through Open Air Education will be the perfect culmination of my skills!
During the school year, I've been teaching at Open Air Village preschool, while I typically head to Colorado for the summers to be a backpacking guide/counselor for children. Passionate about experiential learning, I recently traveled to Australia to learn about the culture and to be a gardener/farmhand. I also just completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, where I gained a much deeper appreciation for the natural world around me, and I would love to provide children with a place to also experience that kind of immersive learning.
Education
2016 - 2020
BS Early Childhood Education
Minor, Deaf Studies
Wright State University
2020-2021
AA Psychology
Wright State University
My degrees in Early Childhood Education and in Psychology provided me with a better understanding of child psychology and brain development, classroom management skills, and differentiation techniques to reach more learners. Studying American Sign Language and Deaf culture gave me a new perspective as well as another tool to communicate with others, and I aim to pass on both of these to my students.
ODE Standards
Immersive outdoor education also meets the Ohio state standards for education. Examples of standards that your child can meet through this program include:
Math Strands
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1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
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5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
Science Standards
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EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (ESS)
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Topic: Daily and Seasonal Changes- K.ESS.1: Weather changes are long-term and short-term.
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LIFE SCIENCE (LS)
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Topic: Interactions within Habitats- 2.LS.1: Living things cause changes on Earth.
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ELA College and Career Readiness Standards
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INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS
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7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
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PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WRITING
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4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
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COMPREHENSION AND COLLABORATION
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1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
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Supplies List
We WILL be outdoors the entire session (with the rare exception of hazardous weather). Please make sure that your child has appropriate outdoor gear for the days' weather, including:
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Water bottle
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Closed-toed shoes
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Sun hat
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Rain boots
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Rain coat/pants OR rain suit
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Snow boots
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Snow pants
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Warm socks
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Winter coat
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Warm hat
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Mittens or gloves (NOT COTTON! They do not keep hands warm when wet!)
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LAYERS (i.e. long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, winter coat)
Please also have your child bring
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A nature journal (one can be found here).
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We will be using these journals every day as a reflection activity, as well as something that can be added to their portfolio.
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An extra change of clothes, just in case
FAQS
FAQ: Where will sessions take place?
Drop-off and pick-up will be at Open Air Village, 800 Livermore Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. We often take walks to nearby locations in the village during the sessions.
FAQ: How much is tuition and what are the times?
**Please see the following document:
Tuition/ Registration Request Sheet**
You may complete and email the form back to Nicole@openairvillage.com to secure your requested time/day. Once 6 students are enrolled, there will be a (no-cost) waitlist.
Enrollment is required for the entire term unless we do not reach max enrollment of 6 children per class.
HOMESCHOOL ADVENTURES TERMS
Winter Term C: Wed, February 7 - March 6, 2024
Rate: $35/session (x5 sessions) = $175 total*
*plus $50 registration fee for NEW ENROLLEES ONLY
Spring Term: Wed, March 20 - May 8, 2024 (OFF March 27)
Rate: $35/session (x7 sessions) = $245 total*
*plus $50 registration fee for NEW ENROLLEES ONLY
Times offered: Wednesdays
Drop-off: 8:45 - 9:00 am
Class: 9:00 - 11:50 am
Pick-up: 11:50 am
Billing: You may pay cash or check monthly for the term in advance. Online payments may be made through Brightwheel, our communication app for Open Air Education.
Please email nicole@openairvillage.com with additional questions
