November 2024
Dear Columbia Crest Families,
As we've wrapped up the first quarter of our nature-based learning pilot year, we’re excited to share the progress we’ve made in creating outdoor learning opportunities for our students. This year is all about discovery—determining the resources we need, designing effective systems, and developing engaging outdoor lessons.
While our original goal was to spend an average of two hours outdoors each day, please know there are various factors that can impact this, such as assemblies, special events, and inclement weather. During the winter months, when the weather may be especially challenging, we are also planning to bring nature-based learning indoors by creating engaging lessons that reflect the values and principles of outdoor education.
We are thrilled to share a significant update on a key project: sit spots for outdoor learning! Thanks to a generous donation from Majestic Log Homes, we now have 30 fir logs cut to 18-inch lengths with rounded edges, perfect for student use. A huge thank you to Troy and Jason for helping transport the logs and to the families who have supported this effort. We’ll be sealing the logs with materials generously supplied by Arrow Lumber after Thanksgiving and anticipate having them ready for use before Winter Break. This is a fantastic step toward creating more sustainable and functional outdoor learning spaces for our students.
Another major milestone is the purchase of an outdoor education shed, arriving soon! This space will house student rain gear and outdoor teaching supplies, ensuring our students are prepared and equipped for learning in any weather.
Additionally, we’ve been collaborating with our curriculum director and the associate director of the Pacific Education Institute to enhance our teaching strategies and integrate nature-based learning into our curriculum. Their expertise has been invaluable as we refine our three-year plan and clarify our long-term vision for outdoor education at Columbia Crest.
Most importantly, we are incredibly proud of our students for their enthusiasm and engagement with this new approach to learning. Their curiosity and excitement fuel our efforts to create meaningful experiences—both outdoors and indoors.
Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this exciting journey. Together, we’re creating something truly special for our community.
Sincerely,
Allison Burslem
Principal, Columbia Crest Academy
Preschool - 2nd Grade
As we wrap up the first quarter, we are thrilled to share how our Little Explorers teachers (Preschool–2nd grade) have embraced nature-based practices to make learning engaging and meaningful for our young learners. Here are some highlights from the first quarter:
🌱 Outdoor Math and Science: Students practiced measurement and data skills by going outside to measure and explore their surroundings, connecting math concepts to real-world experiences.
🌳 Sit Spots for Observation: Children participated in “sit spots,” where they quietly observed nature, developing mindfulness, focus, and a deeper appreciation for the environment around them.
🍂 Nature-Based Centers: Classrooms featured centers incorporating natural materials, such as leaves, sticks, and rocks, inspiring creativity and hands-on exploration during play and learning.
🧘 SEL Learning Outdoors: Social-emotional learning was taken outdoors, allowing students to connect with their peers and practice emotional regulation while surrounded by nature's calming influence.
📚 Reading in Nature: Teachers brought storytime outside, creating a fresh and inspiring environment for literacy and storytelling activities.
👃 Exploring the Five Senses: Nature was the perfect setting for students to explore their five senses, engaging in sensory-rich activities like smelling flowers, listening to bird songs, and feeling different textures in their environment.
✍️ Journaling Descriptive Words: Writing time became an adventure as students ventured outdoors to gather inspiration for journaling, using descriptive words to capture the sights, sounds, and sensations they experienced.
These activities have sparked curiosity, encouraged exploration, and reinforced the connection between learning and the natural world. Thank you for your continued support as we nurture a love for learning and the outdoors in our Little Explorers!
3rd - 5th Grade
Our Junior Explorers (3rd–5th grade) have had an exciting first quarter filled with opportunities to connect their learning to the natural world. Here's a snapshot of how our teachers have integrated nature-based practices into their routines:
🌳 Morning Circles Outdoors: Each day starts with outdoor morning circles, fostering a sense of community and grounding students in a serene, natural setting.
📒 Observation Journals: Students keep detailed observation journals, recording their sensory experiences using prompts like “I see, I hear, I feel, I smell.” This activity builds awareness and enhances descriptive writing skills.
🌿 Sit Spots Exploration: Sit spots encourage mindfulness and reflection. Students use prompts such as “I notice, I wonder, This reminds me of…” to deepen their connection to nature and inspire curiosity.
🚶 Hikes to Sahara Creek and Tahoma Woods: Regular hikes to these beautiful outdoor spaces allow students to explore, observe, and engage with their environment in meaningful ways.
☔ Rainfall and Environmental Data Collection: A rain gauge setup has turned weather tracking into a hands-on learning experience. Students collect data on rainfall, temperature, and water quality, connecting science lessons to real-world applications.
🌳 Tree and Plant Identification: With the help of parent volunteers, students have focused on identifying local trees and plants, combining biology lessons with practical observation skills.
📚 Outdoor Lessons in Core Subjects: All 3rd–5th grade teachers have taken advantage of the outdoors by substituting traditional classroom settings for nature-based learning environments during math, reading, and science lessons.
These activities have enriched our students’ learning experiences, helping them to better understand and appreciate the natural world while applying key academic concepts. We look forward to continuing these meaningful practices as the year progresses!
6th-8th Grade
Our 6th–8th grade Wilderness Explorers have had an enriching quarter filled with hands-on learning, inspired by the natural world. Here's how nature-based practices have been woven into their learning across subjects:
Science
🌍 Energy Transfer and Cycles in Nature: Students explored how energy is transferred and transported in the environment and studied the natural cycles that sustain life.
🌿 Structure and Function in Nature: Investigations focused on how nature's structures are uniquely designed to support their functions, connecting biology concepts to real-world phenomena.
🔬 Biomimicry: Students learned how nature inspires innovative solutions to real-world problems, encouraging creative and critical thinking.
☀️ Weather and Climate: Lessons examined seasonal changes in nature, enhancing students' understanding of weather patterns and environmental shifts throughout the year.
English Language Arts (ELA)
🚶 Weekly Hikes for Inspiration: Weekly hikes allowed students to immerse themselves in nature, gathering real-world sensory details to enrich their creative and narrative writing.
📒 Nature Journaling at Sit Spots: Students selected “sit spots” in the woods to observe, reflect, and journal about their surroundings, fostering mindfulness and storytelling inspiration.
🎨 Sensory Details in Writing: Journals captured sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the outdoors, helping students enhance the realism and depth of their narrative settings.
💡 Creative Exploration through Nature: Outdoor experiences sparked imaginations, encouraging creative thinking and the development of vivid descriptive language.
📖 Building Narrative Skills with Nature: By using observations from hikes and nature journaling, students crafted immersive settings and dynamic narratives enriched by authentic details from the natural world.
Math
📏 Mapping the School Yard: Students applied measurement and geometry skills to map the school grounds, including key features such as:
- The track
- Our weather station
- The fire circle
- The teepee
This engaging project combined math concepts with real-world applications, fostering spatial awareness and critical thinking.
We are excited to share the Columbia Crest Academy Nature-Based Skills Progression guide, which outlines the developmental goals we are working toward in our nature-based education program. This progression serves as a roadmap for fostering safety, skill-building, and environmental stewardship in our students as they grow through their outdoor learning experiences.
The guide highlights our key focus areas, including:
- Safety and Boundaries: Teaching students to navigate natural spaces safely, manage risks, and adhere to outdoor learning rules.
- Shelter Building: Encouraging teamwork and creativity as students progress from building simple structures to constructing more complex shelters.
- Using Tools: Introducing tools safely and gradually, enabling students to build confidence and skill as they take on more responsibility.
- Fire Skills: Providing hands-on opportunities to learn campfire safety and outdoor cooking, fostering independence and cooperation.
- Environmental Science: Helping students connect with nature by exploring habitats, identifying plants and animals, and understanding ecosystems.
This progression reflects the long-term goals of our nature-based education program, and we are dedicated to helping every student move through these stages at their own pace. It is a journey of growth, curiosity, and connection to the natural world, and we’re excited to share this vision with our community!
Please download the progression chart below to learn more.
In our recent Nature Art classes, students have been exploring the intersection of art and the natural world through various engaging activities:
Leaf Printing: Students collected leaves and used them to create intricate prints, learning about patterns and textures found in nature.
Nature Journaling: Through guided outdoor sessions, students sketched and documented observations, enhancing their connection to the environment and honing their artistic skills.
Environmental Sculptures: Utilizing natural materials such as twigs, stones, and leaves, students crafted sculptures, fostering creativity and an appreciation for sustainable art practices.
These activities aim to deepen students' understanding of nature's beauty and inspire them to express their creativity through eco-friendly art forms.
Over the past several weeks, our G.R.O.W. (Growing Real Organic Wonders) Environmental Education program has engaged students in hands-on activities focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Worm Composting Initiative: Students collaborated to construct and paint worm bins, aiming to reduce food waste and produce compost for our garden. This project not only fosters teamwork but also imparts practical skills in sustainable practices.
Pumpkin Seed Saving and Mulching: After a field trip to GRITS Farm, students saved pumpkin seeds for future planting and mulched garden beds with collected leaves. These activities emphasize the importance of resource conservation and garden maintenance.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Partnership: We initiated a partnership with the DNR, featuring guest speaker Clare Sobetski, who educated students on land management, responsible recreation, and stewardship through interactive sessions. This collaboration enriches our curriculum with expert insights into environmental conservation.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Education: Students conducted a school-wide waste sort to analyze waste trends, leading to the development of strategies for reducing waste. This exercise highlights the significance of the 3 Rs—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—and encourages students to implement sustainable practices within the school community.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to providing experiential learning opportunities that empower students to become proactive environmental stewards. We look forward to continuing these projects and fostering a culture of sustainability at Columbia Crest Academy.
We’re looking for passionate families to help our school garden thrive! Whether you have a green thumb or are just eager to lend a hand, we’d love for you to be part of this rewarding project that benefits our entire school community.
Our first Garden Club Meeting will be held on Monday, December 2nd, right after the PTO Meeting at 2:30 PM.
Click the link below to sign up and become a member of our Garden Committee. Let’s grow something beautiful together! 🌿
We are excited to invite you to join your child’s closed class Facebook group! These groups offer a wonderful way for parents to connect with one another, share tips, and stay up-to-date on important class updates.
Each class group is managed to ensure it remains a safe and positive space for our school community. Teachers and staff will post reminders, event details, and other helpful information, making it easy to stay informed about what’s happening in your child’s class.
To join, simply click the link below for your child's class group, request to join, and answer the membership questions. We look forward to seeing you there and building stronger connections within our community!
Principal Burslem
Email: communications@eatonvilleschools.org
Website: https://www.eatonville.wednet.edu
Location: 24503 Washington 706, Ashford, WA, USA
Phone: 360-641-1700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaCrestASTEM
Twitter: @CC_STEM_School
