Training Overview

The Cedarsong Way Teacher Training Program is designed to prepare you to start your own Forest Kindergarten program either by yourself, with a partner, or with your school district. You will learn about the distinguishing features of The Cedarsong Way Nature Pedagogy; specifically, unstructured nature immersion, interest-led flow learning, inquiry-based teaching style and child-inspired emergent curriculum. You will also learn how to make your Forest Kindergarten program a success by understanding the most critical elements, such as appropriate clothing, building parent community, the importance of the right teachers, and risk management. The Cedarsong Way Teacher Training involves a total of 35 hours of training, including topic discussions, direct observation of a Cedarsong Accredited school program, practicum opportunity, and valuable question and answer time with highly skilled Cedarsong Certified Trainers.

Training Costs

$1,500.00 paid to Cedarsong Way

Training Schedule

Monday

AM Location: Littlest Learners Classroom

Topics: receive the rest of the training materials, introductions (name, pronouns, what are you excited about regarding this training), Review foundational topics and a Q&A about what you learned or want to learn more about that came up as you completed the foundations course.

LUNCH: around Noon for an hour

PM Location: Sprouts Classroom or School Yard

Topics: Tour the rest of the Farmstead, Wrap up any Q&A about the Foundations course, Begin Essential Elements: Nature Teachers and Creating community

Tuesday

AM Location: School Yard

Topics: Q&A session about Monday, Continue essential elements; Basic Comfort needs, risks and hazards

LUNCH around noon for an hour

PM Location: Sprouts Classroom

Topics: Implementing the Pedagogy, value of this educational model, unstructured free-play- ways to engage students in nature, prepare for observations

Wednesday

AM Location: Observations in the Sprouts Classroom (8:30-noon)

Topics: Observe Lauren and other Sprout educators teach the Sprouts class in the Cedarsong Way

LUNCH: around noon for an hour

PM Location: School yard

Topics: debrief observations, Discussion on tomorrows practicum

Thursday

AM Location: Practicum in the Sprouts Classroom (9:00-11:30)

Topics: prepare for practicum, Lauren observing you all in teaching Sprouts

LUNCH: around noon for an hour

PM Location: school yard

Topics: Individual feedback on your practicum experience and a final debrief and Q&A session on the whole training, presentation of certificates.

Friday

AM Location: School house 

Topics: meeting with a few Farmstead parents to ask questions.  After a hike up to Explorers for a mind map activity

LUNCH: around noon for an hour

PM Location: school yard/ an outdoor classroom

Topics: Meeting with staff to ask questions, group discussion around Safety and Handbooks.  We will end with a guided walk.

Take Aways
  1. Completion Certificate digitally sent from Cedarsong Way
  2. Invite to the private Cedarsong Way Teacher Training Facebook Page
  3. Acknowledgment of completion on Cedarsong Way's webpage. 
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