Explore Nature and Science with Half Acre Woods

Marin Mommies presents a sponsored article from Half Acre Woods, a new outdoor enrichment class for kids ages 2 to 7 in Marin.

Bugs, birds, seeds, and science make up the wonderful world of Half Acre Woods! We are a new outdoor enrichment class designed to engage kids, from the ages of two through seven, in the skills and practice of science. Exploring the world with our senses we smell bay leaves and mint, listen to the crackling of madrone bark, watch for woodpeckers and fence lizards, and touch anything we can get our hands on! (Except for poison oak that is.) Based on the new Next Generation Science Standards that California adopted in 2013, we strive to provide a strong basis for success with science in the classroom while enjoying all the benefits of outdoor education.

The majority of our day is spent observing natural phenomena, like quail families scurrying along in a line, and discussing our findings as we explore. Our approach focuses on the fundamentals of observation, evidence based argument, and construction of explanations. Our dedication to science practice and skills is steeped in a deep understanding and appreciation for positive social emotional development. As we explore we discover opportunities to practice sharing, volunteering, and considerate communication as well as working to build an understanding of the connections between our feelings, our actions, and the natural world.

We currently offer classes at Sorich Ranch Park in San Anselmo, Phoenix Lake Park in Ross, and a Saturday class in the Presidio. Our two year old group meets from 8:30 am to 11:30 am Fridays, the 3 to 5-year-old group meets from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the 6 to 7 year olds meet 3:30 to 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. We also offer a Saturday morning class for kids in the city ages 3 to 6! Parents who can bring groups of four or more children together are encouraged to request alternative times and locations if the current schedule doesn’t work for them.

Founder and lead educator Danielle Diaz is the former director of camp programming for the Chicago Academy of Sciences. She earned her masters degree in environmental education after completing two bachelors degrees at Loyola University Chicago. She went on to study early childhood education and social emotional development with professors at Stanford, Harvard, and Walden. Danielle has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations modeling science teaching practices, leading teacher professional development, and training staff in the benefits of unstructured play and learning. She has presented at both the Chicago Wilderness Congress and Leave No Child Inside conferences on her methods for teaching and teacher training. Most recently she led teacher professional development institutes for the San Mateo Environmental Learning Collaborative, at the San Mateo Office of Education, on the Next Generation Science Standards.

You can learn more about our techniques for engaging children in Next Generation Science Standards on September 17 from 10 am to 11:30 am at the Women’s Club in Fairfax or from our website at www.halfacrewoods.com. You can see pictures and read articles on unstructured learning, environmental education, and science standards on our Facebook page as well.