OUTDOOR LEARNING 

“se ascolto dimentico, se guardo capisco, se faccio imparo”

L’aula verde nasce come spazio di apprendimento, per una nuova esperienza didattica e ricreativa a disposizione dei ragazzi e della scuola, ma anche della cittadinanza e delle realtà associative presenti sul territorio.

Sperimentare contesti e metodologie nuovi, favorire il contatto con la natura e il territorio, l’esperienza concreta, il rinforzo del gioco spontaneo, l’autonomia e la partecipazione attiva di alunne e alunni, ma anche incentivare la definizione di percorsi integrati orientati all’inclusione.

Praticare l’educazione all’aperto significa rispondere ai bisogni delle nuove generazioni; rigenerare e rinnovare le pratiche didattiche ed educative utilizzando l’esterno come ambiente di apprendimento privilegiato; favorire la crescita di cittadini attivi e responsabili verso il proprio ambiente di vita; praticare e far esplorare quotidianamente i principi di autonomia, democrazia e responsabilità; sviluppare un senso di appartenenza al contesto di vita; favorire la sensibilizzazione delle famiglie; costruire collaborazione ed alleanze; nutrire i legami con il territorio.

Queste le linee guida racchiuse nella nozione di apprendimento all’aperto:

imparare facendo - uscire dai libri di testo, ma anche fare movimento, giocare, sporcarsi le mani, dare voce alla creatività, socializzare.

Gli spunti educativi sono molteplici, tra innovazione e sperimentazione di nuove metodologie. In uno spazio aperto possono incontrarsi la più moderna ricerca didattica e la migliore tradizione pedagogica.

Valorizzare e qualificare i giardini e le aree verdi pubbliche,

migliorare il contesto urbano, coltivare un senso estetico, prendersi cura dei luoghi che abitiamo, rappresentano da sempre i punti cardine dell'impegno di Italia Nostra, nella consapevolezza che dalla qualità dei beni comuni dipende la qualità della nostra vita.

Ringraziamo tutti coloro che ci hanno sostenuto, condividendo l'idea che una comunità che investe nelle nuove generazioni è una comunità sana, nella certezza che questa esperienza rappresenti il primo passo verso idee e percorsi ancora in erba!

Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Mindfulness & Ecological Literacy for Regenerative Education

Nature journaling invites children to slow down, observe, and make personal connections with the world around them. The attached “How to Keep Your Own Nature Journal” graphic shows a simple framework for this: Observations (“I notice…”), Questions (“I wonder…”), and Connections (“It reminds me of…”). Encourage kids to explore each prompt – for example, “I notice the moss feels soft like a sponge,” or “I wonder why the trees grow in a spiral here?”, or “It reminds me of the veins in my hand.” These prompts help young learners focus their attention and imagination on nature, building their curiosity and observation skills.

Journal Prompts:

• Observations (“I notice…”): Ask children to use all their senses. E.g., “I notice the moss feels soft like a sponge,” or “I notice the squirrel’s tail is flicking in the sun.” These simple notes of what they truly see, hear, smell, or touch train them to really pay attention.

• Questions (“I wonder…”): Support their natural curiosity by framing questions. E.g., “I wonder why the trees grow in a spiral here?” or “I wonder if ants can see in the dark?” There’s no “wrong” question – encouraging wonder helps kids feel like young scientists exploring the “why” and “how” of nature.

• Connections (“It reminds me of…”): Invite them to link what they notice to their own lives or other subjects. E.g., “The pattern on this leaf looks like the veins in my hand,” or “These ripples in the pond remind me of sound waves from music class.” Making connections across nature, art, and everyday life sparks creativity and deeper meaning.

• Mix it up with words, pictures, and numbers: Kids can write notes, draw sketches, and even use numbers (count petals, measure leaves, chart bird songs). In fact, teachers encourage adding words, pictures, and numbers to journals to build skills. Using writing, art, and simple math gives children many ways to express what they notice. For example, a student might write “3 mushrooms,” draw the mushroom caps, and note their height – engaging multiple senses makes the journal richer and more personal.

Why It Matters:

• Curiosity & Observation: Nature journaling “builds creativity, curiosity, and observation”. By focusing on “I notice” moments, children learn to see details (colors, textures, behaviors) they might otherwise miss. This habit of careful observation lays the foundation for asking deeper questions and developing critical thinking skills.

• Mindfulness & Focus: Journaling is a mindful practice. It encourages kids to slow down and really be present – feeling the breeze, listening to birds, observing light on leaves. Studies show that this kind of focused attention in nature calms the mind and enhances awareness. In other words, nature journaling is a form of active meditation: kids learn to pause, breathe, and truly connect with the moment.

•     Connection & Stewardship: Over time, keeping a journal of the same woods, garden, or park helps children develop a sense of place. They notice seasons change, plants grow, and wildlife appear. This sustained attention builds a strong bond with the environment: journaling “fosters connection by cultivating sustained attention and personal investment in local ecosystems,” so kids feel like caretakers of the places they know. When children care about a place, they are more likely to want to protect and conserve it.

•     Ecological Literacy: Recording observations in words and drawings reinforces science learning. Schools that integrate journaling find students gain a deeper understanding of ecological concepts (food chains, plant life cycles, weather patterns) and retain scientific vocabulary better. In this way, a simple drawing of a leaf or notes about a rainstorm turns into an interdisciplinary lesson – blending art, science, math, and language arts into a hands-on exploration.

• Nature journaling is more than just note-taking – it’s a warm, experiential way for children to fall in love with the Earth. By guiding them to notice details (“I notice…”), to wonder out loud (“I wonder…”), and to make personal connections (“It reminds me of…”), we nurture their natural curiosity, creativity, and care for the world. Give kids a journal (even a simple notebook) on your next outdoor outing, and watch their sense of wonder grow. These journaling moments – words, sketches, or numbers in the dirt – can spark lifelong curiosity, mindfulness, and ecological literacy. Happy journaling and happy exploring!

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                              BUTTERFLY SPOTTERS !