Integrating Natural Materials in the Classroom

I’m happiest when I am outside in nature. I’ve noticed my students seem to be happiest outside too. Inspired by my summers at Seedlings, visits to Common Ground Environmental Education Center, and Seedlings facilitator Winnie Naclerio’s natural classroom at Calvin Hill, I was determined to further integrate the natural world into my classroom. -Julie Peterman

For years I returned from summer break to set up my classroom loaded down with bags from Lakeshore Learning Materials, Michael’s and the Dollar Store. My attempt at creating a more natural setting in my public school classroom had me hauling bags of birch bark, sticks, stones, pine cones, seed pods, and seashells. It was a striking change as I entered my room this year with bags full of natural materials I had collected on my summer travels. Now, my previous trips to Lakeshore have been replaced with ones to Goodwill stores in search of baskets, wooden bowls, and other natural material treasures for our collections.

Viewing My Classroom from a Child's Perspective

I started working on the transformation by literally sitting on the floor at my classroom door and looking up at my room – viewing it from the perspective of my young students. In the past, my walls, doors and blinds were covered with a multitude of colors and visual clutter. (My family might share that I am a collector of all things and queen of clutter.)

Using Windows to Let in Nature

The first thing I did was open the blinds. My classroom has huge windows, but I’ve always closed the blinds so I could hang children’s work and curriculum materials. Opening them allowed us to fully see our outdoor garden and play space. I felt thrilled by the natural light and the open feel of the room. Welcome in, Nature! We have joyfully observed the changing seasons now that we have a panoramic view of the outdoors.

Change Up Classroom Learning Centers

I then went to each learning center area and added as much natural color and natural materials as I could. Some of the simplest changes brought in a sense of connection to the natural world. In the art center, I hung a birch tree shower curtain and added real birch bark as a border. Our Science Center became a joyful collection of natural materials and living things. I continue to add natural items based on the children’s interest and the availability of material that they could find to add. I added wicker bins for storing books in our Book Area for a more natural look and feel. In Dramatic Play, I traded out some old colorful play plates for some beautiful wooden bowls. I filled the Touch Table with wood pieces and wood cookies, rice with pine cones, then sand and rocks. I added natural material bulletin board paper and borders to all my bulletin boards.

Trade Colored Plastic Toys for Natural Materials

Change is not easy and I still struggle with balancing old-time plastic toys while also adding natural materials for children to work with. Trading some favorite toys from brightly colored plastic bins to natural material bins, boxes and baskets toned down the room considerably. I continue to observe and think of more ways to challenge students and independently engage with materials. Initially, I was not sure my young learners would be inspired by the natural materials and seek them out. But as often happens, the children engaged with the materials and taught me what they wanted to do. They taught me countless ways of using the natural materials for play.

Your Passion and Curiosity are Contagious

As the school year goes on I continue my quest to help children become explorers in the world of natural materials. I could not be happier that most of my students share my love for and fascination with all that the natural world offers us. I am even more excited for each passing season to find things we can learn about and explore together.

The words of natural artist Andy Goldsworthy helped me understand the draw that natural materials have for my students and me: “We often forget that we are nature. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say we have lost our connection to nature, we’ve lost our connection to ourselves.”

Bringing nature inside for our children to explore and engage with is one step toward regaining that connection.

Julie Peterman was one of our inaugural Seedlings Fellows and is now a K/1 Seedlings Facilitator. She brings the wisdom that comes with nearly four decades of teaching to Seedlings teachers to help them grow in their profession.

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