Our current compulsory schooling model was created at the dawn of the Industrial Age. As factories replaced farm work and production moved swiftly outside of homes and into the larger marketplace, 19th century American schooling mirrored the factories that most...
When you hear the phrase “student-centered classroom,” what immediately comes to mind? Do you envision a classroom erupting into chaos, students doing what they want without a clear curricular goal to guide them? A true student-centered classroom is anything but a...
As an educator it’s highly probable that one of your top wishes is to have your students meaningfully engaged in their learning. It’s probably the reason you went into teaching, to experience that sense of fulfillment that comes from witnessing a child’s mental and...
Winter in the higher latitudes can feel like an unending story of short days, long nights, and relentless storms that keep us huddled indoors. It's easy to feel disconnected from the natural world during this time, but at Natural Pod, we believe that connection is...
This is a personal story. One which I thought I might never get to write. It's about being inspired to do great work for others and also wanting those close to you to benefit from that great work. Three years ago I started working with Natural Pod, who are based on...
We’re thrilled to share that Bridgitte Alomes, founder of Natural Pod, is back for part two of her conversation as a special guest on the “BC’s Path to Universal Child Care Podcast” (Season 4, Episode 7). In this episode, CCRR podcast host Gyda guides Bridgitte and...
A. has been showing a lot of interest in princesses lately. She talks about them and often says that she is a princess and rather than going by the name A., she will only respond to “Ola,” “Ola Snow White” or “Tinkerbell.” I was not surprised then when the loft was...
We’ve been greatly saddened to learn of the logging of old growth forest that’s been taking place, particularly at Nahmint River watershed and Fairy Creek on unceded Pacheedaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in Canada. Natural Pod is...
What we love most about our work are the people we work with. We’re very proud of our natural play community here at Natural Pod and to celebrate some of the people in our community, we’ve started a short series we’re calling our Natural Play Community People...
We always enjoy showing some of our work in progress. We recently did an install of some new pieces of Natural Pod kindergarten and preschool furniture at Sir Wilfred Grenfell Elementary School in Vancouver. Just in time for new school year. "ONCE AGAIN...THANK YOU SO...
This year Natural Pod will be teaming up with Green Schools National Network and heading to the Green Schools Conference! It's taking place virtually over two half days on June 28 and 29th, and there are some fantastic speakers and interactive sessions and events...
We are emerging from a year that presented new learning challenges and opportunities. While learning did not cease to take place, it shifted to new topics and new locations. Looking ahead, the value of learning outdoors and true outdoor learning will continue to hold...
Learning during a pandemic has spotlighted concepts that have always been involved in some education conversations, but now seem to dominate the media, talk in the community and future planning. These concepts include synchronous and asynchronous learning,...
This week, a project that I know well and is close to my heart won an Education Facility Design Award. Presented by the AIA (The American Institute of Architects) and its Committee, the benefactor is LPA Design Studios for the creation of the Environmental Nature...
We’ve been greatly saddened to learn of the logging of old growth forest that’s been taking place, particularly at Nahmint River watershed and Fairy Creek on unceded Pacheedaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in Canada. Natural Pod is...
It seems decision time has come a little early this year, with many of you being called upon to make choices now that will shape the new school year in September. Though these decisions will impact students long past a school year, they have the power to positively...
Welcome back, Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Five is available to watch! This was a really uplifting episode; full of discussions of what’s possible when you think big and aim big while leaving lots of room for trying out new things and seeing what happens. This week...
COVID-19 has directly impacted students through widespread school closures, loss of learning, and widening disparities. It has also had consequential indirect impacts on students. A troubling rise in child neglect (Thomas et al., 2020), stress related to food...
During the pandemic, learners have experienced emotional and psychological stress to varying degrees. Some of the effects represent themselves in depression, challenges to self-esteem, fear, and emotional and psychological anxiety. Each learner’s experience is unique...
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Raised by a single mother alongside four other children. A dedicated mother, who pursued quality education and care for each of her five children, no matter the costs. Ashanti continued on to pursue an education in early childhood...