Natural History Fundamentals for Educators, Beckett, Summer 2026

Course Number:	EDU 5710 S26
Instructor:	Sean Beckett, M.S.
Location:	In-person at the Vermont Commons School & online.
Dates and Times:	June 29 - August 29, 2026. Monday through Friday, June 29-July 3, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at Vermont Commons School in Charlotte, Vermont & online.
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	Tuition is set by and payable to North Branch Nature Center

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to deepen our understanding of the natural landscape and learn how to utilize this knowledge to build a partnership with the land that meets the needs of all students. Participants will develop a foundation of natural history knowledge through immersive study of bird language, tree and plant identification, wild edible safety, geology, and stream ecology. We will practice techniques for achieving a deeper level of inquiry and observation in nature while learning hands-on methods for embedding this knowledge into outdoor lessons and making classroom connections. The routines that we build throughout the week are designed to deepen your class’s sense of place within the outdoor learning environment.

During this course, we experience a week-long rhythm of place-based curriculum within which is the daily rhythm of the core routines and deep observation practices. This daily rhythm mirrors the experience of elementary students during a typical day of ECO (Educating Children Outdoors). Participants will close the week envisioning integration of these methods and practices into their student’s experience. All lessons given to participants to use in their own classroom will be aligned to Vermont State Standards, Common Core and NGSS when applicable. Curriculum meets elementary standards-based objectives when lessons and units are practiced outdoors.

Audience: Elementary and Middle School Educators with a bachelor's degree

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

Build a framework for viewing the land and its inhabitants that relieves the discomfort of not knowing how to identify everything.
Become familiar with common birds and their song, basic tree and plant identification, wild edible safety, local geology, and stream ecology.
Practice seasonal lessons and routines that deepen a partnership with the land and align with NGSS and Common Core.
Help bridge the gap between learning that takes place outdoors and in the classroom.

Course Objectives:

Practice observational techniques that utilize multiple senses while examining species of plants and animals
Identify avenues for place-based scientific inquiry and Community Science in the classroom
Practice designing a style of lesson that places members of the natural community (plants, animals, & minerals) in the role of teaching partner and collaborator
Reinforce and build upon the practice of conducting site assessments and following safety protocols
Provide time for collaboration among participants in creating a project/program of their own

Course Schedule

Day 1: Trees and Plants

Readings: David Sobel “Principle 7: Hunting & Gathering”

Day 2: Insects

Readings: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass “The Council of Pecans”

Day 3: Mushrooms

Readings: John Young, What the Robin Knows, Introduction

Day 4: Birds

Readings: Keith Basso, Wisdom Sits in Places, “Quoting the Ancestors”

Day 5: Geology

Students will be required to complete a 1-2 page nightly reflection that synthesizes the assigned reading and the course material covered each day.

Required Readings/Resources

Costs for required readings/resources, if any, may not be included in the course tuition. Please contact NBNC for more information.

Butler, A. (2023). Educating children outdoors: Lessons in nature-based learning. Cornell University Press.

Yemini, M., Engel, L., & Ben Simon, A. (2025). Place‑based education – a systematic review of literature. Educational Review, 77, 640–660.

Dillon, J., & Dickie, I. (2024). Outdoor learning in education: Nature‑based pedagogies and transformative experiences. Springer.

Ernst, J., & Stanek, E. (2022). Meaningful nature education: A guide for developing effective nature‑based programs and curriculum. Routledge.

Sobel, D. (2022). Place‑based education: Connecting classrooms and communities (3rd ed.). The Orion Society.

For additional course or registration information

Sean Beckett

(802) 229-6206

This course requires registration with North Branch Nature Center (NBNC) first. Please click on the Register Now! link below.