As a part of my work as a school designer, I’m able to visit and walk through many flavors of schools. My role is to help leaders and design teams to resee their buildings, help them to notice what has moved to the background, and ask questions that promote actionable...
Our school year started with teachers returning for staff team-building and professional development August 1, about three and a half weeks before students were scheduled to start. Returning for our second year as a school, with a new grade level added, as well as...
When playing outside, children enter into an enchanting world where they develop a deep connection to the earth, and their imagination, creativity, and sensory exploration are all ignited. Children build strong foundations while exploring, investigating and...
Natural Pod is honored to have our work highlighted by Metropolis Magazine in their featured article showcasing the wonderful Mi Casita Preschool and Cultural Center and the celebrated Brooklyn-based architectural firms that created their built environment, Barker...
Why does Natural Pod do what it does? – A conversation with the founder and CEO of Natural Pod and Alex Van Tol from Douglas Magazine. Natural Pod started out as a natural toy company in 2007 by co-founders Bridgitte Alomes and Allan Alomes. From the very...
Bridgitte Alomes, our founder and CEO, had the opportunity to share more about the impact Natural Pod is committed to making in the world, with the support of local partnerships. ~ Article by Rebecca Keillor, published by the Vancouver Sun, BC, Canada....
Our very own Tree Branch Blocks have just been named one of the Top 10 Eco-Toys in North America! Judged on their affordability, age appropriateness, level of creativity and socialization engaged, eco-friendliness and child-initiated interactivity, the Tree Branch...
As an educator, you may be wondering how to transform your classroom or play space into an enchanting learning environment that children love. Studies show that children of all ages benefit from natural play. As an educator, you are in an exciting position. You have...
Inspiration is all around. It can come from the people we spend time with, the books we read, the music we listen to…it can be found all around us. At Natural Pod, these influences shape the work we do every day. Our inspiration comes from… Our customers....
The definition of the Expeditionary Learning (EL) philosophy is ‘Learning by Doing’ and it places a strong focus on student personal responsibility. The EL VisionWhen students and teachers are engaged in work that is challenging, adventurous and...
At what point does ‘having a good education’ even get measured? Is it once high school is over and the results are in? Or is it an ongoing assessment during one’s education? It certainly used to mean going to a ‘good school’ and a ‘good school’ meant achieving good...
Take a moment to pause and look at the tree outside your window. Notice its expansive branches, the delicate sway of its leaves, and the texture of its bark. In the presence of nature, we often feel a deep sense of calm and connection to the world around us. As...
What does it mean to be healthy at school? There’s the physical space to consider – ensuring school buildings are clean, safe, and conducive to learning and teaching – as well as occupant health and well-being. However, in the context of a global pandemic and a racial...
On one level, the “Spidey Senser” project is about engaging the public in science. Community members, young and old, seek out, monitor, and then harvest the filter-like webs of funnel weaver spiders, bagging and labeling them before sending them off to be...
As another calendar year end comes to a close, it’s a perfect time of year to begin preparing for a smooth restart for next year. Taking the time now, while your ideas from this fall’s education journey are still fresh in your mind, is one of the best...
Thankfully more and more institutions and organizations are embracing environmental responsibility and becoming advocates for sustainability. This is fantastic, and not a moment too soon. But how, as educators, can we inspire and motivate our students to take action...
When sustainability and education are mentioned together, it’s about more than just educating students about sustainability and environmental responsibility. It’s also about the need to create educational practises that are sustainable and equitable – practises that...
With our virtual bags packed, my colleague Kelly Rosensweet and myself have headed to the Green Schools Conference along with the Green Schools National Network team. The conference is taking place today and tomorrow – June 28th & 29th, both as half days....
Wishing you a happy, kinder, and more joyful new year. We hope you found time to rejuvenate over the holiday season, connect with loved ones, and had the opportunity to reflect on all there is to be grateful for. In the spirit of offering some hope and inspiration to...
This year’s Green Schools Conference and Expo I’ve found to be the most impactful. There was a strong acknowledgement between all attendees that furthering the green schools movement is imperative in helping to address the climate crisis we’re in, and it’s only...
Sprig, the last classroom table you’ll ever need
