Take Root’s Homeschool Forest School, a part of the learning community, uses an all-outside, place-based approach to learning – providing classes and instruction in, but not limited to: ecology, natural and cultural history, science, math, the arts, outdoor skills, yoga, movement, mindfulness, leadership, entrepreneurship, and stewardship.
Forest Homeschool meets Monday-Friday in a variety of ways…supporting the needs of young learners (ages 5 and up) and their families.
Some examples of what may be on offer throughout the school year, September-June for ages 5 and up (must be 5 in September):
- Literacy in Nature
- Active Math & Live Science
- Natural History & Florida Ecology
- Art History through Nature
- Nature Journaling & Sensory Awareness
- Mapmaking for Kids – Sense of Place
- Ethnobotany in the Forest
- Mindfulness & Movement in Nature
- Social & Emotional Navigation
- Outdoor Games for Teamwork & Relationship Building
- Fine Arts in Nature: Handwork, Crafts, Art Projects
- Music in the Forest
- Forestry Skills: knots, shelter-building, survival
- Woodworking in the Woodland
- Community Building: Entrepreneurship & Stewardship
In the Homeschool Forest School, the kids gather to explore and learn during the forest school year, September-June. The seasonal, place-based programs take place outdoors and are facilitated using Take Root’s unique approach – combining the experiential earth-based principles of Forest School, the holistic ideals of Waldorf, the child-based methodologies of Montessori and the flexibility of Agile Learning. The kids and their teacher guides come together to explore, discover and learn.
Take Root Forest School’s multi-subject approach to learning – integrating wider subjects while focusing on exploration, play and discovery allows for development of the whole child…Head (through transformative experience and reflection), Heart (through relating and or connecting on a deeper level) & Hands (through hands-on engagement).
Every morning, after arrival and play, the kids and teachers gather to sing and welcome the day during the Community Circle and Morning Meeting. This gathering time brings everyone together and sets up the day – starting with Focused in the Forest time. During Focused in the Forest time, the kids and their guides gather for community learning – exploration and discovery based projects, activities, and lessons. After a morning of experiential learning, the afternoon opens up to allow for Free Range in the Forest time: an outdoor space for self-directed exploration, play and socializing, reading, game-playing, project-completion, and resting.
At Take Root, students have the unique experience of learning in an oasis of trees – in parks and natural areas, away from the fast-paced sprawl of the S. Florida urban jungle. Outdoor experience develops a sense of wonder for the natural world – creating a love and respect that will develop with the child as they grow, inspiring a healthy eco-literate culture. It is every person’s right to find their place in nature and their sense of self.
