Summer has officially ended. Welcome Fall and the magnificent colors it brings. We love the cooler weather and the opportunity to reflect on the great Marbles Farm experiences we have had this summer.
Our most memorable activity was sharing information about Marbles Farm with Wasatch County families at the Heber Valley Market. We had an impressive response to our nature preschool opening Fall 2018. During our conversations the most often asked questions were: What is Marbles Farm and what teaching methods will you use? Here's what we shared.
At Marbles Farm we have the same child development goals that more traditional preschools have, but we are committed to accomplishing those goals through experiences in nature.
We are a developmentally-appropriate, play-based, nature preschool that will provide children with a strong cognitive foundation in preparation for future school success. Children will develop problem-solving skills and approach challenges with innovation and creativity. Inquiry and self-direction will be modeled so students can nurture their capabilities. Children will be taught to develop a sense of belonging and contributing through relationship-based experiences and social interaction. Marbles Farm teachers will demonstrate and allow children to develop literacy and numeracy skills with hands-on experiences.
A few days ago we observed a dragonfly in our backyard. We were fascinated by its color, beauty, and ability to hover in the air with ease. This dragonfly observation is a perfect example of a Marbles Farm lesson plan. The experience encompasses the study of:
Biology (find a book about dragonflies in our library and we will learn more about them)
Mathematics (calculate the wingspan and find the same measurement somewhere else in nature)
Environmental stewardship (what can we do to provide habitat for dragonflies to flourish)
Art (draw the dragonfly and find the color blue that matches its body)
Drama (pretend to be a dragonfly - grab a silk scarf and fly, fly, fly)
Literacy (write a fairy tale about the dragonfly or create a mini book about our experience today)
A simple observation allows children to look at their surroundings and see possibilities. Henry David Thoreau said,
"It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see."
Marbles Farm empowers children first to observe, then to see what matters, which inspires creativity, supports intellectual curiosity, and most importantly connects them with nature.
We loved hearing about your enthusiasm for Marbles Farm this summer, and we hope you'll share our message with your neighbors and friends.
Happy Fall -
Marty and Marjan Oakeson