"A gold mine of ideas for exploring nature with children, and "a must for those teaching natural science
in any setting."
-- Science and Children
"A guidebook for non-formal educators -- parents, day-care and after-school providers and camp leaders
-- who want to teach children about nature . . . The experiences will be memorable for adults and children alike,
and the benefits are sure to outweigh a television rerun . . . The activities are appealing, the instructions clear
and the materials simple, yet the underlying goal of Hands-On Nature is profound."
-- Vermont Life
"If you like taking your kids outside (be it 20 from your classroom or the two you live with) to discover
simple wonders in nature, this is a book you'll want to consult. It is jam-packed with ideas for focused explorations
of the outdoors and is filled with fascinating information that will increase your own pleasure in these explorations
as well."
-- Northern Woodlands
"In my fifteen years of experience in the field, Hands-On Nature is the first book I reach for when planning
a program. The book has been and continues to be a treasured resource at our nature center. From the puppet shows
to the games to the observational investigations, the activities are fun and engaging for many different age levels.
It is a must-have for every nature educator's book shelf!"
-- Melinda Henning, Manager of Interpretive Services, Mill Creek MetroParks, Canfield, Ohio
University Press of New England Web Site, June, 2002
Summary
This long-awaited revision of a popular book provides information and activities to assist educators and parents
in exploring the local environment with children. Grouped around five themes (Adaptations, Habitats, Cycles, Designs
of Nature, and Earth and Sky), fact-filled essays introduce each subject, followed by field-tested, experiential
activities that engage students in learning about the natural world.
With complete instructions and background information for teaching over 40 natural science units, and scientifically
accurate drawings illustrating each topic, this easy-to-use, beautifully illustrated, up-to-date environmental
education handbook both enables novice leaders to teach nature subjects successfully and offers creative new approaches
for experienced educators.
