Reading and Math Class
We are excited to announce the addition of reading and math classes starting in February 2025! Perfect for home school students ages 6-9, these small group classes will be taught by Susie Stillwell, a certified Texas teacher with over 12 years of teaching experience. Susie is confident in teaching children reading, writing, and math. Each lesson will be personalized to meet the needs of every student, ensuring a tailored learning experience.
After each class, students will go home with a supplemental activity to reinforce their learning. The program will consist of 12 classes: reading on Wednesdays from 10am to 11am and math on Fridays from 10am to 11am. Prior to the semester, each student will have an individual Zoom session with Susie to assess their current reading and math levels.
Class Dates:
Reading: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14
Math: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14
Forest Class
Forest Class at the Learning Gardens embraces the magic of nature as our classroom. Join us on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for enriching outdoor experiences. Forest class is best for kids aged 4 - 12. Parents are welcome to stay or drop off kids 6 and older. Kids under 6 must have an adult stay during the class.
On Wednesdays, our focus is on creating a herbarium, where students press plant specimens, documenting their unique features and specific details to encourage curiosity and botanical exploration.
Fridays are dedicated to creating a nature collection, which we house in recycled egg crates and record in our journals.
Our philosophy is to provide a safe space for kids to explore, play, and learn valuable lessons in permaculture, sustainability, and native species. Mixed-age learning promotes mutual growth, where everyone learns from each other. Our day begins with a full group circle, setting intentions, character building using the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, and ends with reflections on the day’s adventures and recognizing the Explorer of the Week. Each week, we focus on conservation topics, garden projects, and free play on the Learning Loop. Join us in nurturing a love for nature and lifelong learning!
The Learning Loop and Learning Tree
The Learning Loop is a 3-minute easy walking path in the woods with engaging activities. Highlights include the Fairy Tree, the Clay Kitchen for sculpting with natural clay, painting rocks for the Rock Snake, Nature Weaving with sticks and flowers, and games like Tic Tac Toe and Chess. Additional features include Knot Tying Trees, an Early Learning Area, the Caddo Language Learning Center, and the Learning Tree space with a forest theatre and a nature identification station.
The Learning Center
The Learning Center is the heart of our structured activities. It features a vibrant makerspace with various materials to inspire creativity in kids, a dedicated area for herbarium and nature collections, and an array of games and books. It's our dynamic classroom where hands-on learning and exploration come to life.