"Outside" Creative Curriculum Guide

This month’s Outside guide focuses exclusively on exploring nature. From creative invitations with natural materials to simple, on-the-go nature play ideas to more celebratory weekend projects, we have packed this resource with inspiring and easy ideas to finish out the summer. Many of the invitations this month are back pocket ideas to use when the opportunity arises, such as exploring balancing, making toys from nature, and rethinking everyday house and play items like fly swatters and hoola hoops. If you don’t have full access to the outdoors, don’t worry because the ideas and invitations in this guide will spark new ways of thinking about what is possible whether you have a blacktop schoolyard, a public park to play in, or a city sidewalk to color with chalk.

Our curriculum is inclusive and honors each child’s individuality and way of thinking and working. Consider each guide like a beautiful magazine where creativity meets education. They are more than a collection of art ideas, they are the KEY to a cohesive, child-centered, manageable creative practice for your family at home, or to integrate with your homeschool or classroom curriculum.

Our Whole Child Guide is our original 25-page guide and includes:

• Each month is based on a theme or “Big Idea” that ties to every offering in the guide

• 20 invitations (one for each weekday of the month), 10 art and 10 play, that can be cut into cards and kept in a box as a resource to build upon

• 2 weekend family art projects

• Master supply list

• Creative thinking skills

• 8 creative snack ideas that complement the theme

• A rich, teacher-approved picture book list with an emphasis on diversity, inclusion, earth stewardship, and kindness

• Guidance on trusting children and following their lead

• Sample schedules on how to “Make a Day” of the invitations for camp

• An artist spotlight featuring living and working artists

• A master one-page calendar of the month that you can print and post on the art room wall for easy reference