Comments on the Taking Root Program

From Teachers

"In a world often filled with chaos in the lives of these 3rd graders, Taking Root affords them some quiet in their lives. They are able to connect with nature and ground themselves. It teaches them that all they have to do is step outside and listen and they will observe something beautiful."

~ Breanne Leeson, Bishop Elementary School

"Taking Root is an excellent program, and I am very grateful that my students can participate. Students are extremely engaged, and it provides an inquiry, hands-on based learning approach that is often overlooked in the public school curriculum. Thanks again for all you guys do to make this program happen. "

~ Deb Leyh, Bishop Elementary School

"The more research I've done on educational models and best practices in education, the more evidence I've found supporting the outdoor classroom. This is a concept that I intuitively believe to be beneficial and personally connect with, that I've also noticed to be a powerful tool in my 15 years of working with children, but it's wonderful to have compelling data to support what I've observed. I believe it is essential for the future of our planet and for the positive evolution of humankind to foster real connections between people and the natural world. Taking Root does just this. It puts children into a natural place and gets them to wonder, learn and connect. Once children develop this connection to the natural world, they will have intrinsic motivation and creativity to protect and heal it. Through the well-planned Taking Root curriculum, the children are guided to better understand their natural surroundings and begin to see their place within them. As a Taking Root guide and classroom teacher, I've watched the children become engaged in the outdoor classroom, and noticed that their engagement follows them back into classroom as well. This engagement translates to increased overall learning, higher test scores, motivation, better attendance.. It's a wonderful program and I whole-heartedly support it."

~ Tiffany Randall, Inyo County Office of Education

During the Pandemic:

Thank you for all the hard work to keep Taking Root alive. The kids are loving it all and I'm so thankful for the little bits of joy that we can continue to find in our crazy school days.

~ Breanne Leeson, Bishop Elementary School

Just wanted to "crow" a bit about the job Ms. Molly, Ms. Amy, and Ms. Maggie did for our Taking Root program. The students will benefit for years to come from this Outdoor Education program.

~ Liz Jones, Lo-Inyo Elementary School

From Docent Instructors

"We taught a small class at Edna Beaman Elementary of Third to Fifth Grade students. The "Taking Root" curriculum was perfect for the different levels. Fifth Grade students were more "professional" than the Third Grade student, but the Third Grade student provided unbridled enthusiasm, which was contagious.

Magic Spot was a favorite. Each student had a spot they used all year. Watching the seasons and listening to sounds, drawing/writing, or not, this part of the adventure was anticipated with joy.

I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of....as a "routine," as noted in the Student Activity Guide (BEETLES, Lawrence Hall of Science) was good for refocusing during a lesson. Having a routine, bags of tricks, is helpful in the moment of teaching.

The journals were also important. We did Haiku's which produced a finished project which we plan to display at Edna Beaman's Showcase."

~Ann Hoffmann, Taking Root instructor, and retired teacher at Edna Beaman Elementary, Benton, CA

"I would have to say that, for me, aside from Science Camp, the Taking Root is the most meaningful and delightful program offered to the students. It affords an opportunity for the instructors to get to know the children and to observe them grow and change as a result of their participation. Giving children a chance to enjoy and explore the natural world in their "backyard" is precious. And, the crown jewel in each lesson is the chance for each child to relax in and reflect on the beauty and wonder that surrounds them. There is plenty of learning and science in each lesson, but it reaches the students in a powerful way by utilizing all of their senses and curiosity and creativity."

~Jan Rhoades, Taking Root instructor, and retired teacher

I’m constantly surprised by how nature can change us. As an educator in the local “Taking Root” outdoor education program, I experienced this magic firsthand not long ago.

I had asked my group of third graders to go and find a ‘special spot’ where they could sit still for ten minutes. Then, to make quiet observations for ten more minutes. Knowing how squeamish kids this age can be, I prepared for the worst.

However, something unexpected happened. As those minutes passed, I didn’t hear so much as a whisper. In fact, when I called my group back, many students didn’t want to leave. There was a sense of calm that seemed to have washed over everyone. I couldn’t believe it.

Later on, I found myself thinking about that moment. Maybe there’s a lesson in this for all of us. Maybe we adults need to find our own special spots. Somewhere in nature where we can take ten minutes, sit quietly, and simply be present.

Rainer Rilke, the Bohemian-Austrian poet, once wrote that, “If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees… The future of education is in the outdoors.”

For Hillary Behr, who served as ESLT’s Education Coordinator & AmeriCorps Member back in 2011, these words hold a special importance. Hillary agreed that our schools and students could use more of nature’s teachings. She felt that the simple solution was to help students get outside.

After completing her AmeriCorps term with ESLT, Hillary moved on to work with the Bishop Paiute Tribe. There, she jumped at the opportunity to create a new youth outdoor education program for Bishop elementary students.

Finding the right location was simple. Just a short walk from Bishop Elementary is a natural refuge owned by the Paiute Tribe called the Conservation Open Space Area (COSA). With the Tribe’s support, Hillary was given permission to use this natural space for her program.

When designing her curriculum, Hillary focused on observation, curiosity, and place-based learning. Her goal was for students to spend an hour each month immersed in the natural world. With Rilke’s words in her mind, she decided on a name for the new program: “Taking Root.”

Today, Taking Root is growing strong. Although Hillary has recently moved on, the program continues to thrive under the guidance of a new team of passionate educators, and I am proud to be a member of this group. Although I’m new to Taking Root, I have already witnessed many wonderful moments that only nature can bring us. Before the school year comes to an end, I hope to share many more moments like these with my students – and perhaps with you, too.

Article by Ryan Delaney, Eastern Sierra Land Trust Education Coordinator AmeriCorps Member and Taking Root Instructor for 2018-19: https://www.eslt.org/2018/01/17/conservation-takes-root/