Teacher Resources

Welcome to the teacher resource section of Focus on Nature. In here, you can find how our workshops connect to the current curriculum, what an average workshop looks like, reviews, and feedback forms. You can find extension activities on our new Community of Practice page.

Curriculum Connections

What Does an Average Day Look Like?

Other points to note

– All staff have had a Police Vulnerable Sector Records Check completed.
– Students will have regular school breaks integrated into the program throughout the day.
– Workshops run rain or shine but can be canceled or postponed due to storms.
– All school health protocols will be followed and all equipment will be sanitized before each workshop.

Parent volunteers are welcome to join the workshop too!

Volunteers have been key to the success of the Focus on Nature program. Share your love of art, photography, and nature with students in our school program! Apply Here

Click here to see a typical workshop schedule

Testimonials

  • "This was a wonderful program and got even my most resistant children engaged and focused on a creative task. It helped them to see the elements of design in a concrete way and introduced artistic language that we can now use in the program. It also allowed us to have 1:1 tech so every child could work at once, something that is not possible otherwise. Best of all, they had fun and found joy in art and nature. Thank you so much Bri!"

    Jordan - Grade 6 Teacher

  • "The Focus on Nature Program was a very positive experience. It gave a chance for those students who are more creative to show their skills. All the students loved this program. "

    Pamela - Grade 3/4 Teacher

  • "I thought it was an excellent well structured program. Danielle was very engaging while presenting elements of design and maintained good control of the group for the entire day. The students were very engaged taking pictures for the entire time we were outside. I could tell this improved confidence and the students were really excited to share their pictures with each other. Showing how to use the students how to edit the photos was helpful so they can do so again in the future. "

    Adele - Grade 4 Class

  • "The Focus on Nature program was awesome! My students were begging me to do this for another day- they loved learning how to use the cameras/ having their own cameras for the day. They enjoyed learning about the elements of design and they were so excited to go to the reservoir and take photos in nature (they loved finding critters in their natural habitats to photograph!). This program was the best because of Danielle- she was amazing with the students, ran the program in such a fun way and made the day full of learning and joy! I will do this every year!"

    Lindsay - Grade 5 Class

  • "The strengths of the program is Sarah's ability to be engaging with information on the elements of design, how to use a digital camera and photo editing in a room full of 10 year olds. She also came with an ability to understand/know when students have sat down for too long and needed a body break before resume (WHAT A BONUS!!). She was patient with all the students who had many questions to answer and who demanded a lot of her attention. She was knowledgeable with the information she knew and it helped that she was very passionate about the workshop and what it can do for the creativity of students. "

    Princess - Grade 5 Teacher

  • "Fantastic program. Addressed many of the curriculum expectations for a variety of grades. Facilitation was amazing. Students with a wide range of learning styles could participate and be successful."

    Breanna - Grade 4 Teacher

  • "Considering this workshop was so close to the end of the school year, I was impressed by how engaged my students were. As their art teacher, I did cover the elements of art and design, and I can say with confidence that my students were more engaged by your workshop than they were with my lessons."

    Kevin - Grade 5/6 Teacher

  • "Sarah and Kristy were kind, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and approachable. The students felt relaxed in their presence and felt confident to try new compositional approaches. The students really enjoyed exploring a new tool for their creative expression. They also really enjoyed having the time and freedom to explore creatively outdoors. The environment and tone was supportive, relaxed and enjoyable."

    Jo-Anne - Grade 11 Teacher

  • "Excellent program! It covered the elements, the terminology, and the visuals for student learning. Lots of time to work with the cameras, getting hands-on experience. Google Photos was easy to use."

    Anna - Grade 6/7 Teacher

  • "This was one of the best programs I've done with a class in 15 years. The level of engagement for the students was something I hadn't seen before to this degree. Danielle is fantastic with students - especially those in a Special Education class. The students are already asking me to book another workshop with Focus on Nature. "

    Jonathan - SERC Teacher

  • "Engaging, taps into student's artistic strengths that they might not even know they have within them. FON offers them insight into careers they might want to explore during their educational journey. Exposure to technology and how to edit is such a great learning tool for our students. We can't say enough about this amazing Program!!"

    Julie - Grade 4/5 Teacher

Click Here to Provide Feedback From Your Workshop