Nature Arts at West Marin School
Nature Arts offers a holistic approach to place-centered nature education.
At West Marin School throughout the 2024/2025 school year.
Starting August 28,.
On Wednesdays 1:30-3:00PM.
2 Fall Sessions are planned with others to be announced:
Session 1--5 classes--August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25--for TK, Kindergarten & 1st graders.
Session 2--5 classes--October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30--for 2nd & 3rd graders.
Free of charge to West Marin School students.
Facilitated by Taira Restar, Emerald Heart director and In Place co-founder.
Funded by In Place, nonprofit for place-centered nature education.
About Nature Arts
Nature Arts includes:
Nature Connection and Science, Nature-based Expressive Arts, and Wellness Practices.
Nature Connection–-nature walks, awareness activities, nature explorations through play and science. Please note that we will be walking from West Marin School to the wetlands (behind Dance Palace) and back to school.
Expressive Arts--place-based arts and crafts, creative writing, storytelling, movement.
Wellness Practices–tending the inner landscape through mindfulness, communication skills, gratitude, kindness, kinship.
Our emphasis is on appreciation for and kinship with place. Artistic expressions are considered acts of care and reciprocity. Forest Arts is a program of In Place (new local non-profit) in collaboration with Taira Restar & Emerald Heart Forest School.
Practicalities
Readiness
This is a drop-off program. Each of our forest artists has met these milestones in order to feel comfortable and confident in this program:
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Can express wants/needs with words--with other children and with adults.
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Can be away from parent.
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Will follow an adult's guidance and abide by rules.
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Do not wander off.
Snacks & Water
We will provide a healthy snack. Parents provide water and are welcome to pack their own snack as well.
Gear
This is an outdoor program. Because we are outdoors in all weather, including rain, our forest artists dress in appropriate gear. Yes, if it's raining, we will likely still take a nature walk. And have fun with Rain Art or Mud Art! If your child does not have a rain coat, please let us know in advance and we will try to find one for you to borrow.
