Outdoor education continues during Ohio school shutdown

HURON — Outdoor education at Firelands Montessori Academy didn't take a break when Ohio's school buildings shut down. Teacher Michelle Bock went to work, creating a nature lessons website with photos of the outdoors, weekly wildlife lessons and more with the students. She also created a YouTube channel for recording outdoor experiences and planned daily morning Zoom video chat calls for teachers to take turns presenting nature lessons that have revolved around water, Earth Day, plants, among other topics. Nature makes up a significant portion of the Montessori education method and being outdoors allows children to be in control of their own learning. In their final week of school, FMA teachers and Bock led community outdoor tours at Back to the Wild in Margaretta Township, Old Woman Creek, Thomas Edison's birthplace and museums, downtown Vermilion and around FMA's campus. Bock recently worked at Old Woman Creek near Huron as the educator assistant/natural resource technician and did programs for K-12 students, community members, teacher professional development sessions, and Volunteers Conservation Action Education projects. She took the job at Firelands Montessori in November. "I have learned that many people do not know the natural resources available around us, etiquette, what a watershed is, that our drinking water comes from Lake Erie, and what the problems and solutions are when it comes to our natural resources and ecological systems that protect people, plants, wildlife and natural environments," she said. "We are interconnected. Our choices and behaviors affect us. We can do better and we need to get back to teaching important basic environmental literacy, starting in our schools and at home. FMA is teaching responsible, respectful, peaceful, kind students. I've found another niche where I belong." Based on the messages and artwork students have sent Bock, they've seemingly enjoyed their virtual lessons. One student made his own Kermit the frog puppet, like the one Bock uses on her daily Zoom video chats with students to spark interest. "It made my heart melt," she said. "Those are the moments when you know you have reached a child and everything we do at FMA is for the child." Bock shared how parents can continue to foster their children's curiosity in the outdoors. "Take advantage of the free programs and natural areas found at the Erie Metroparks, Huron's three State Nature Preserves, trails and beaches in Erie County and beyond our coastal communities," she said. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhood