Shows
Teach OutdoorsNational Outdoor Learning Conference: Stories and Lessons from BanffIn this reflective episode, Lauren shares her experience at the 2025 National Outdoor Learning Conference in Banff — a gathering filled with powerful stories, emotional connections, and inspiring practices in outdoor education.From sitting in circle with Elders to trying blind contour drawings and engaging in climate action conversations, Lauren takes us inside the sessions that moved her — and the unexpected feedback that left her feeling deeply humbled.She unpacks her own workshop on Sit Spots and how educators can weave UDL, inquiry, and land-based learning into these simple yet profound routines. You’ll also hear about:Why...2025-05-1616 min
The Lonely ChapterWhat are the Biggest Benefits of Reformer Pilates? - Lauren ChapelhowIn this episode, we sit down with Lauren Chapelhow, a skilled Reformer Pilates instructor and host of the podcast 'No Springs Attached'. Lauren shares her expert insights into the world of Reformer Pilates; what sets it apart from traditional mat Pilates, the key benefits it offers, and how it can transform your fitness routine.We also explore Lauren’s personal journey of returning to the UK after a decade living in Sweden, diving into the culture shock she experienced and how it shaped her perspective on life and wellness. Alongside this, Lauren discusses the lessons she’s learned from podc...2025-05-051h 10
Naturally Teaching Elementary: A Podcast for Teachers and Homeschool Families41. Teaching Elementary Math Outside with Lauren MacLeanIf you've been wanting to take your elementary math outside but you're not sure where to start, then this is the podcast episode for you!In today's episode, Lauren MacLean explains a typical day in nature with learners, the benefits of learning math outside, activity types for teaching math in nature, a realistic view of using math manipulatives outside, documenting learner progress, SO MANY examples, and more.Make sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode because today's Teaching Tip is a list of 11 nature-based picture books that are all about...2025-02-2436 min
ML Chat: Conversations with Multilingual EducatorsLauren MacLean: Community Care and CollaborationEducator Lauren MacLean has found a powerful community-based approach to teaching multilingual learners. In this week’s ML Chat podcast, Lauren shows us the importance of building meaningful connections with students and their families, playing to a student’s strengths, and how teachers can learn from their students in return.2025-02-1247 min
Plants Always WinEp.9 Garden Classrooms with Lauren MacLeanHave you learned to read your garden? This week we sit down with Lauren MacLean, a teacher, author, and podcaster from Richmond, British Columbia. She’s a big advocate for how outdoor classrooms help kids learn better, but a few years ago she had a learning experience of her own when her school built a new garden classroom. In this interview she shares with us her background as an outdoor educator and explains the magic of “sit spots” for creating a relationship with our environment—something we should all do in our own gardens. Lauren explains how even though she was...2025-02-0444 minTeach OutdoorsSnow Much Fun: The Magic of Winter Learning with April ZajkoWelcome to the Teach Outdoors Podcast! I’m your host, Lauren MacLean, and today we’re diving into the magic of winter with special guest April Zajko. Despite it being the end of January and winter feeling a bit delayed in my corner of the world, we’re getting ready to embrace all that the season has to offer for outdoor learning.April Zajko, M.Ed., is an early childhood educator with nearly 25 years of experience, a keynote presenter, college instructor, and the founder of the vibrant Nature Inspired Teacher community with over 19,000 members. Her passion for connec...2025-01-2854 minTeach OutdoorsBuilding Resilience: SEL Strategies in our Outdoor ClassroomIn this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, we dive into the powerful connection between nature and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is about nurturing essential skills like self-awareness, managing emotions, building relationships, and making responsible decisions—and there’s no better place to support these skills than in the great outdoors.Join Lauren as she shares practical, nature-based activities to help foster resilience, mindfulness, and empathy in your students. From sensory walks and sit spots to bird language skits and cooperative games, these simple yet impactful strategies bring SEL to life in your outdoor classroom. You'll hear how...2024-11-2619 min
School Gardens with Ease26: Outdoor Education, School Gardens, and Finding Common Ground with Author Lauren MacLeanSend us a textLet's welcome Lauren MacLean, a passionate children's author, educator, and outdoor learning consultant. Lauren’s books, including Me and My Sit Spot and Finding Common Ground, inspire young readers to connect with nature, and her work as an educator brings hands-on outdoor experiences into the classroom.Lauren shares insights on integrating school gardens into the curriculum and offers practical tips for teachers looking to overcome common barriers, such as finding time for outdoor education. She explains how she creatively weaves subjects like math, science, and social studies into outdoor learning, making th...2024-11-1532 minTeach OutdoorsOutdoor Literacy: Bringing Reading and Writing to Life in NatureWelcome back to the Teach Outdoors podcast! I’m Lauren, and today we’re diving into Outdoor Literacy—exploring ways to take reading and writing outside to deepen students' connection with nature while enhancing their literacy skills. I’ll share my favourite mentor texts, engaging outdoor literacy activities, and effective routines that support reading and writing in nature. From using Sit Spots and nature journals to storytelling with stones, this episode is packed with ideas to help you make literacy come alive outdoors.Plus, I’m thrilled to share updates on Nature’s Path: A Year of Monthly Park...2024-11-1421 minTeach OutdoorsAutumn Leaf ArtHere's the updated description with a paragraph about the key leaf activities:Welcome to Season 3 of the Teach Outdoors Podcast! I'm your host, Lauren, and I'm thrilled to bring you new and exciting ways to support your outdoor learning journey. Each episode this season will dive deep into practical strategies, creative ideas, and actionable advice to help you take your curriculum outside. We’re also expanding across platforms—Instagram offers quick tips, and YouTube Shorts provide student-centred videos you can use in the classroom. In today’s episode, we’re exploring Autumn Leaf Art, where I’ll sha...2024-10-1816 min
Teachers on FireTEACHING OUTDOORS with LAUREN MACLEAN🔥 How can I take my students and their learning outdoors? 🔥 How do students win when learning occurs outside the school building? 🔥 How do curriculum, feedback, and assessment appear in outdoor environments? Join me for this conversation with LAUREN MACLEAN as she shares her insights on these and other critical questions. About This Guest: Lauren is an elementary school teacher and the author of Me and My Sit Spot, Finding Common Ground, and Sitting with Nature: An Educator's Guide to Sit Spots. She is the host of the Teach Outdoors podcast where she shares her passion for outdoor learning and promoting environme...2024-09-2331 minThe Lonely ChapterLauren Callahan: Ultramarathons, Gut Health & Her Book Publishing JourneyToday we are learning from Lauren Callahan, she is a gut health expert, Reiki master, ultra runner, Ironman athlete and the owner of Goddess Health.Expect to learn about Lauren’s journey into ultra running, how we could all improve our gut health and what led to her decision to publish her first book.Thank you for listening, this one was made for your enjoyment.Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/2024-08-1250 minTeach OutdoorsNature as Your Teacher with Kyra StephensonIn this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, we feature Kyra Stephenson, who serves as a Nature-Based Learning Coach at Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School #12 within the Rochester City School District. Kyra has successfully integrated a comprehensive nature-based learning (NBL) program into a PreK-8th grade public school setting. You can follow Kyra on Instagram to stay updated on her initiatives and insights.Email: Kyra.Stephenson@rcsdk12.org School website: https://www.rcsdk12.org/12 Instagram: kls_natureed Purpose – How Nature-Based Learning Started for KyraKyra’s journe...2024-06-2851 minTeach OutdoorsMoss and lichen Unveiled: Nature's Tiny WondersWelcome to Moss and Lichen Unveiled: Nature’s Tiny Wonders Podcast! Join your host, Lauren MacLean, on a captivating journey into the enchanting realm of moss and lichen. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau's poetic musings, Lauren invites fellow nature enthusiasts to delve deep into the often-overlooked world of these remarkable organisms.In this episode, Lauren shares intriguing teaching and learning experiences centred around moss and lichen, highlighting their significance in the ecosystem. From hands-on activities like estimation exercises and observation sketches to artistic expressions using natural materials, listeners gain insight into the diverse ways these tiny wonders ca...2024-05-2813 minTeach OutdoorsExploring the Fungal Frontier: A Deep Dive into the World of MushroomsJoin us on today's episode as we delve into the fascinating world of mushrooms and fungi with our special guest, Carly Eirikson, Vice-Principal of a local school district in British Columbia, Canada.Carly shares her incredible journey with her grade 3 students, where a simple curiosity during nature walks blossomed into a captivating inquiry into the world of mushrooms and fungi. Utilizing the Walking Curriculum as her guide, Carly and her students embarked on a remarkable exploration, observing, and investigating the diverse fungi in their surroundings.What makes this story truly remarkable is the involvement of...2024-05-1446 minTeach OutdoorsBugging Out: Students Dive into the Fascinating World of InsectsIn this episode of Teach Outdoors with Lauren MacLean, we embark on an enthralling exploration of the insect world, inspired by E.O. Wilson's timeless quote, "Every kid has a bug period. I never grew out of mine." Join us as we delve into the captivating realm of insects and spiders, shedding light on their crucial environmental roles.Throughout the episode, Lauren encourages listeners to foster curiosity and understanding about these tiny creatures, often overlooked yet essential to our ecosystems. Beginning with observations of common species like butterflies, ladybugs, ants, and beetles, she guides us through their...2024-04-2917 minTeach OutdoorsLeaves Under Investigation: A Close-Up StudyIn this episode of Teach Outdoors, join host Lauren MacLean for a cozy exploration of leaves in "Leaves Under Investigation: A Close-Up Study." Dive into the spontaneous adventures of leaf inquiries, where students jump into piles, create leaf art inspired by "Leaf Man," and delve into leafy details. Discover the vibrant colors, symmetrical patterns, and unique characteristics of leaves found in British Columbia, from the majestic Cedar to the iconic Maple. Explore leaf veins through activities like leaf rubbings and vein poetry, and even mimic the graceful descent of falling leaves in an impromptu dance performance. Plus, find inspiration...2024-04-0212 minTeach OutdoorsExplorers in the Breeze: Students Investigating the Secrets of WindNature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks - Click here Nature Classroom Podcast Series - Click hereWelcome to our podcast, where we embark on outdoor adventures driven by the winds of curiosity! Informed by Carol Thompson's captivating book, 'Wind,' we dive into a world of exploration and learning. From crafting windmills to observing the dance of maple seeds carried by the breeze, each moment unfolds as an opportunity for discovery.In our latest episode, we share our journey through a wind inquiry inspired by Thompson's work. As students engage in activities...2024-03-1509 minTeach OutdoorsSeasonal Transformations: A Year of Student InvestigationsNature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks - Click here Nature Classroom Podcast Series - Click hereEmbark on a seasonal journey with the Teach Outdoors podcast, where we celebrate the wonders of outdoor learning. From fostering a growth mindset to overcoming challenges inherent in teaching across diverse seasons, each episode offers invaluable insights for educators and students alike. Explore our outdoor learning routine, beginning with engaging anchor books and leading into invigorating nature walks, reflective circle sessions, and hands-on activities.Immerse yourself in the current winter season as we navigate the transition...2024-02-2314 min
The Spirals of Inquiry: An Educational PodcastEpisode 3: Walking Alongside our Learners with Lauren MacLeanLauren MacLean is an accomplished author of the book "Me and My Sit Spot" and the host of the popular Teach Outdoors podcast. As an elementary school teacher and outdoor learning consultant, Lauren's passion for nature exploration shines through. In this episode she speaks about the ways she uses the Spirals of Inquiry Framework to intentionally walking alongside and learn with (and from) her students.
Connect with the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education:
Visit the home of the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (https://noiie.ca)
Purchase tickets for the Network o...2024-02-1539 minTeach OutdoorsTech and Nature: Bridging the Gap in Education with Dr. PhilNature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks - Click hereNature Classroom Podcast Series - Click hereWelcome to another exciting episode of Teach Outdoors, the podcast that explores the intersection of education, nature, and technology. In this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Phil, a multifaceted educator, speaker, and technology innovator, as our special guest.Dr. Phil's diverse background, ranging from teaching to developing a technology company called Plabook, makes him a powerhouse in the education realm. Our conversation kicks off by addressing the common fear of technology among educators. Dr...2024-02-0526 minTeach OutdoorsEmpowering Education: Unleashing the Potential of Outdoor Learning with David Hawker-BudlovskyNature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks - Click hereNature Classroom Podcast Series - Click hereWelcome to Teach Outdoors, the podcast where we explore the transformative power of outdoor education. In this episode, we sit down with David Hawker-Budlovsky, a dedicated educator with 25 years of experience in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), currently serving as the Centrally Assigned Principal supporting Outdoor Education.In our conversation, David sheds light on why it's crucial for our education system to fully embrace outdoor learning. Discover how the TDSB has established nine outdoor education...2024-01-2633 minTeach OutdoorsFrosty Adventures: Students Exploring the Wonders of WinterNature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks - Click here Nature Classroom Podcast Series - Click hereIn this episode, we delve into the educational benefits of engaging with snow, from refining motor skills to fostering teamwork and problem-solving. Our young explorers not only learn about seasonal changes but also find the perfect balance between joy and the challenges of snow play.Join us as we share our favourite winter activities, including creative journeys inspired by “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner, building unique snow huts that promote visualization and problem-solving skil...2024-01-2308 minTeach OutdoorsThe Hidden Potential of Documentation in our Outdoor ClassroomNature's Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks - Click here Nature Classroom Podcast Series - Click here Tis the report card season which inevitably brings up questions about assessment and documentation. So today we’re diving right into the topic of what formative assessment and documentation looks like in our outdoor classroom. We begin by talking about how and why we document. I’ll explore various methods, such as taking pictures and collecting student quotes, to capture the essence of our outdoor learning experiences. We will also discuss the significance of aligning our activities with...2023-12-0816 minTeach OutdoorsNature's Symphony: Exploring the Beauty and Importance of BiodiversityNature’s Path: A Year of Monthly Sparks (Find out more here)Nature Classroom Podcast Series: (Find out more here) In this episode of Teach Outdoors, we dive into the significance of biodiversity and its connection to the diversity of communities. As we embark on our daily nature walk, we observe and learn about both native and non-native plant species in their area. We discover the unique characteristics of native plants and discuss the impact of non-native and invasive species on the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Through this exploration, they highlight the imp...2023-11-2414 minTeach OutdoorsRainy Adventures: Splish, Splash, Learn Outside!In this episode of Teach Outdoors, we delve into a rainy week of explorations. Join us as we discuss how we prepared for the rain, what we noticed on a rainy autumn nature walk, and the math and science activities we engaged in.First, we emphasize the importance of proper preparation and safety when embarking on outdoor activities in the rain. Ensuring everyone had the right rain gear and discussing different types of precipitation helped set the stage for a successful outing.Next, we share how we integrated math and science into our explorations. We...2023-11-1115 min