Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade

Evaluating Natureness
Measuring the Quality of Nature-Based Classrooms in Pre-K through 3rd Grade
Patti Ensel Bailie, PhD, Rachel A. Larimore, PhD, Arianna E. Pikus, MS

Nature-based early childhood education is a rapidly growing trend! Although many schools and programs have incorporated nature-based learning, educators can feel at a loss when trying to evaluate quality in this learning approach. But don’t worry—Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-Based Classrooms in Pre-K through 3rd Grade is here to help!

Designed with early education practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in mind, the NAture-Based Education Rating Scales (NABERS) for Pre-K and K–3 let professionals easily collect standardized information to measure the quality of education settings in the areas of:
• Program goals and curriculum practices
• Staffing
• Environment
• Community partnerships
• Family engagement

?Whether you want to evaluate an existing nature-based program or discover how to shift your program toward a nature focus, this book is for you!

Rachel worked for 15 years as director of education at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan. Not only does she write and speak extensively on connecting children to nature through high-quality, nature-based early childhood education, Larimore is also pursuing a PhD in curriculum, instruction, and teacher education at Michigan State University.<br /><br />Patti Ensel Bailie, PhD, is one of the leaders in the national nature preschool movement. She is an assistant professor of early childhood education at the University of Maine at Farmington and has worked in early childhood environmental education for 30 years. She is the founding director of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Preschool and served as the codirector of the Early Childhood Outdoors Institute at the Fontenelle Nature Association in Omaha, NE. She presents at regional and national conferences on connecting young children to nature.