The Nature Explore Classroom at
New Horizon Academy East Apple Valley
Our Nature Explore classroom brings the magic of learning and nature together. Our classroom helps the teachers and children use nature as a tool for learning, allowing them a chance for open ended discoveries in their play. Nature-based learning sparks creativity in children. Children engage in imaginative play when immersed in nature, transforming objects into magical elements. The beauty of nature inspires artistic expression, inviting children to explore their creative abilities and tap into their imagination. We will enhance our classroom learning areas seasonally, helping create and inspire a love of nature.
One of my favorite areas to explore in our classroom is the Nature Art Area, the fun the children have using natural elements to create art is magical. This area is filled with tree stump chalk boards, twigs, branches, chalk, flowers, pinecones, moss, so many pieces of nature that can be used to create. Recently one of the classrooms found dandelions and added them to their art creating yellow lions. When you use nature to create the opportunities are really endless. We change the items in this seasonally for their artistic expression.
Our building area is a huge favorite, it’s also messy which is a bonus. This area comes alive with wooden roads, cars, and even big dump trucks. We have dirt and different sized rocks for the children to use in their play. The children can build and dig with a variety of natural materials.
A highlight for all of the children is our mud kitchen. In our mud kitchen we have kitchen equipment, running water, tables and kitchen tools. There are even different mud recipes for them to explore and try. It’s filled with endless opportunities for sensory exploration.
We have a wonderful gathering area which is located under large trees that provide a wonderful, shaded canopy. We hold our group times in this space, but children also enjoy puzzles, books, games, it’s always a time they can sit and connect with their friends.
Our garden area is currently blooming, and we will be harvesting our “pizza” and “salsa” garden soon. This part of our classroom has been an amazing experience for our children. They have loved being able to plant, water, and take care of our gardens. We have also planted pumpkins and sunflowers which are really starting to grow. The pumpkins should be here right in time for our Autumn learning enhancements.
In our “Musical Space” you will find some fun instruments from a xylophone to musical flowers, a drum, a curtain, streamers and scarves. We love to create music. One of our activities this year is to create classroom windchimes to hang from the trees above so we can listen to the music from the wind as it moves the tree branches.
There are so many really magical spaces in our Nature Explore Classroom, complete with a secret fairy garden that is there for the children to play with and interact. We invite everyone to join the magic of nature.
