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Unschooling – Learning Is In The Living

Unschooling – Learning Is In The Living

Most of us are familiar with the idea of homeschooling, which involves parents educating their children at home rather than in a traditional school setting. Generally, these families are using less formal ways of imparting a traditional education and curriculum. A...
Feng Shui for the Classroom, Why Not?

Feng Shui for the Classroom, Why Not?

Children spend as much, if not more, time at school than at home, so shouldn’t our learning environments be given the same attention and care as our home environments? While recently reading this article about how to achieve Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of...
Are You Ready for 21st Century Learning?

Are You Ready for 21st Century Learning?

Throughout history, the learning structures put in place and their associated physical spaces have been a reflection of the needs in society at large. And even before there were schools, there was the master and apprentice model. Ironically, this method of learning...
Get Your Learning Environment Moving

Get Your Learning Environment Moving

The days of classrooms filled with rows of desks are becoming a thing of the past. One of the biggest trends schools are currently exploring are the different ways to bring more movement and energy into the classroom environment. There are truly an endless number of...
Back to Basics with Nature

Back to Basics with Nature

When we think of the latest trends in 21st century education, the first ones that probably come to mind are technology or STEM related activities. But there is another growing trend taking place across North America and around the world that brings children back to...
Loose Parts for Better Learning and Play

Loose Parts for Better Learning and Play

Interacting and exploring with loose parts, such as rocks and sticks, has always been a part of children’s play. In more recent years, these materials have become common tools in early childhood learning. In 1972, architect Simon Nicholson developed the Theory of...
Tech as a Tool

Tech as a Tool

In last week’s story, I proposed the idea that the use of technology in the classroom may not be the best solution to promoting innovation in a 21st century learning environment. I shared how some schools believe it detracts from learning and can even inhibit the...
Less is More – Simplify for Spring

Less is More – Simplify for Spring

Spring is coming and that’s always a good time to clean, refresh, and simplify your space. Follow these tips to create a space that is orderly, calming and, most importantly, inspiring to be in. First, take some time to assess what you actually need, what is used on a...
In Celebration of Trees

In Celebration of Trees

Take a look around-the world is beginning to fill with color again. The flowers are blooming, grass is growing, and the trees are starting to bud and bloom. This is the perfect time to appreciate the natural wonders that surround us. Around the world there are days...
Every Day is Earth Day

Every Day is Earth Day

Earth Day is a time to reflect and think about ways we can all lead more sustainable lives. It is the opportunity to take the time to come up with changes we can implement, both big and small, that will help preserve and protect our planet. At Natural Pod, children’s...
Better by Design – An Architect’s View

Better by Design – An Architect’s View

Collaborating to Create Better Learning Environments ~ At Natural Pod, we have the fortune of working with a wide array of stakeholders who aspire to create better learning environments. Recently, we worked with Dave Ferguson, Principal at ZMM Architects in West...
Classroom Creativity for 21st Century Learning

Classroom Creativity for 21st Century Learning

There is a common belief that today’s schools are moving away from the idea of creativity in the classroom due to new education standards. Yet it is possible for innovative thinking to be part of your students’ daily experience no matter the curriculum. The best...
Green Your Classroom – Series Part 2

Green Your Classroom – Series Part 2

Did you know that you have the tools to help ensure a learning environment for your students that is healthy and enhances academic performance? Did you know that almost everything you do that has a positive effect on personal health can also help protect the health of...
Green Your Classroom – Series Part 1

Green Your Classroom – Series Part 1

We know you want what’s best for your students. You want them to be healthy, happy, and in an environment in which they can perform at their best. Did you know that you already have many of the tools at your fingertips necessary to create the ultimate green classroom?...
Daily Experiences with Nature Empower Students

Daily Experiences with Nature Empower Students

Whether you realize it or not, every day you have the ability to empower your students to become stewards of our amazing planet. From modeling positive behaviors, to making curricular connections, to fostering a sustainable classroom environment, there are countless...
Creating Spaces for the Four Types of Learners

Creating Spaces for the Four Types of Learners

There are many different types of learners and your environment should, ideally, be able to accommodate them all. Scientists and psychologists have developed a number of different models to understand the different ways that people learn best. The VARK model,...