We will use the same Zoom link for all calls.
Topic: Cedarsong Conversations
This is a recurring meeting.
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Meeting ID: 275 036 1510
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Meeting ID: 275 036 1510
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All of the calls will follow the same 60 minute format:
1. Check-in and tech issues/norms:
* Participants are welcome to join late or leave early as needed to fit their schedule. We welcome all efforts to connect with community.
* We may experience internet connectivity issues. If so, please just hang in there, internet usually resolves itself. Should the call get disconnected, stay on the line and the host will simply call back in.
* People have different capacities with Zoom as well as varying internet capability. We will practice patience and radical inclusivity with all participants.
* Please limit use of “chat” function. This function tends to distract the facilitator, and we want to hear from everyone – if you want to share, please share with the group!
* Please raise hand to speak. We will use the “move forward, move back” paradigm. This means if you’re someone who tends to not speak a lot, please move up into a role of speaking more. If you tend to speak a lot, please move up into a role of listening more.
* If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please type your name and email into chat directed to Cedarsong Way.
* These conversations are meant to be collective “hive mind” offerings to build community connections. They are not classes or lessons. Please speak from your own direct experience and wear your hat of community member rather than teacher.
* Please be aware of the number of people on the call and the 60 minutes we have scheduled and gauge your responses and input accordingly.
2. Brief introductions simply to include your name, where you are calling from – please let us know the indigenous land you are on. If you don’t yet know it, that’s no problem, now is a great time for you to look into for next time! – the pronouns you use, (let’s not use the term “preferred”) and this simple prompt question to be answered in 1 – 3 words: “What aspect of the natural world is most present for you today – perhaps a bush in front of your house, a tea you are drinking, a new bird at your feeder….”
3. Conversation host frames conversation
4. Community responds – Think of the conversation like a “picnic” in the grass; it’s a flowing conversation with the intention to connect and build community around common interest.
5. Closing
We are thrilled to offer this series of 60 minute community conversations based on The Cedarsong Way. They are free and open to anyone who would like to join in.
These conversations will be every Tuesday afternoon/evening at 4:30 pm Pacific Time, 6:30 pm Central Time, 7:30 Eastern time.
If you are unsure of your time zone, check the conversion here. You can use 6:30 pm Puerto Vallarta time for the conversion from your own city.
Below is a list of all scheduled topics.
| Date | Host | Topic |
| June 29 | Nicole Corbo |
De-Centering Whiteness & Challenging the Privilege of Forest School (while building on TCW Foundational Principles) |
| July 6 | Lori Whipple | Unstructured free time and timeless play |
| July 13 | Nicole Majewski | Mud Play through the ages and why it is so important |
| July 20 |
Molly Lannon Kenny
|
Nature Therapy: what’s the difference between “therapy” and “therapeutic? |
| July 27 | Nicole Majewski | Lessons from the Birds: Practices and reflections around bird watching and how healthy it is to integrate them into our lives and educational spaces. |
| August 3 | Molly | Erin’s birthday ~ Who are our nature mentors? |
| August 10 | Susan | Wild Edibles |
| August 17 | Nicole Corbo | Water-play Through the Seasons |
| August 24 | Emily | Engaging parents in forest school |
| August 31 | Stacey Gummey | Big Feelings and Learning How to Communicate Kindly |
| Sept 7 | ||
| Sept 14 |
Barbara Sheridan |
Creating Community in Nature School |
| Sept 21 | Nicole Corbo | Literacy & Math in the Outdoors |
| Sept 28 | Laura Whittaker | Filling Our Cups: Self-care as a New Year Begins |
| Oct 5 | Barbara Sheridan | Individualizing Inquiries in a group |
Other possible up-coming topics:
Privilege of Forest School, especially two of the foundation principles; student to teacher ratio and the permanent location.
TCW pedagogy as a way of thinking about teaching and learning rather than a dogmatic set of rules
Place based education
Getting the kids into play (morning drop off routine etc)
Talking to parents, community member and donors about the benefits of this type of education/ movement
Social and Emotional Development, Self-Regulation
Literacy and math in the outdoors
The Future of Outdoor Education
Racism, sexism, and income inequality
More on inclusive language, compassion scaffolding and challenging behaviors.
The business of a Forest Kindergarten: liability, location choices
Routines during the day (drop offs, beginning circles,etc)
Parent/nature program contracts
Building forts and hideouts, water play, fire play, using tools, risky play
Cultural appropriation and racial inclusion/decolonization
Art and Nature
Nature Journaling, or specific curriculum practices that we can implement in our program
Teachers role in play, facilitating problem solving
Engaging parents
Approaches to classroom management and discipline in the forest school setting.
Defining what a Forest school is
Respect for and knowledge of indigenous people of the area we are teaching
Different learning approaches and play that is seen in nature and how nature play is different than indoor
Getting my feelings hurt or accepting the other child has the right to express their feelings
Activities for children to develop core body strength, mindfulness in nature
Whiteness and the outdoors
Gender spectrum repeat
Wild Edibles
Medicine in Nature
Therapeutic Benefits of Nature Immersion
Hideouts and Wild Building
Full Weather Immersion
Ways to Integrate water in play
Value/power of play
Learning in play
Place based education
Unstructured free time in nature – what it means, how to foster
Getting the kids into play (morning drop off routine etc)
Natural teachers