We were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to host Rachel Tidd, the author, and creator of Wild Learning, the new home of Wild Math, and the brand new Wild Reading.
Please enjoy our live recording from our 1-on-1 webinar with Rachel Tidd from Wild Learning!
RECORDED PRESENTATION
Wild Math Curriculum - Take Your Math Outside!
Hi there! We are the Tidd family and we are passionate about outdoor learning! My husband Leo and I as well as our two boys all work together to make Wild Math happen! While I do the writing of the curriculum, Leo helps with all of the behind the scenes! The boys are official testers of the curriculum and photo models! -- From their About Us page
What is Wild Learning, Wild Math & Wild Reading?
Wild Learning is a nature-based, hands-on outdoor curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade. It covers all of the essential, practical math (Wild Math) & reading skills (Wild Reading) taught for that particular grade level, in a realistic, down-to-earth, yet invigorating way. There are plenty of suggestions for games and hands-on learning for each grade level. Wild Learning is full of observations about children's developmental stages and suggestions for parents to match their approach with where their children are at. In the Kindergarten curriculum, Rachel recommends parents ask their children to explain why they're doing something a particular way? They probably have a reason why they're doing something and if we can figure that out, we can best help facilitate teaching and learning.
This is a curriculum written by a homeschooling parent for other homeschooling parents, and honestly, it feels like an act of friendship and comradery with other parents paired with a genuine love for teaching and working with children. And equally importantly - Wild Learning is inspired by a true love of the outdoors. We are seriously smitten with this curriculum and we can't help our shameless appreciation of it! (we receive no compensation for loving Wild Math, except the knowledge that we're helping others discover it).
From page one of the Wild Math Kindergarten curriculum, you'll find refreshing asides and encouragements related to the lessons and instructions. It starts with reassuring parents that there is no wrong way to approach this curriculum, and to take your child's lead, and to start with increments of time that work for the age and grade level your child is at (she recommends no more than 10-15 minute instruction for Kindergartners when first starting out). Rachel's teacher training (including special education teacher training), and science education pair up with her experience as a homeschooling parent. She is talking to you from the same path that she's on, and using her experience to help guide you along. How many times as a homeschooling parent have you received a curriculum you were super excited to order, only to read it and find out that the author has no idea what homeschooling is really like? You will not feel this way about Wild Math!
When I first started homeschooling I was a Charlotte Mason, Waldorf, Montessori, and Enki enthusiast. I read voraciously about using natural materials and incorporating play-based learning into my homeschool environment while trying to stealthily add in literature, stories, history, narration, science, and the arts. But math was where I stumbled. I read aloud everywhere, even on field trips to the beach. My kids learned about the history of biological life while touching the tidepools. They drew what they saw in their notebooks, increasing their motor skills and fostering an organic appreciation of the arts. But I was lacking in math instruction, and it was one of the biggest stressors I experienced as a homeschool parent.
Teaching math can cause serious anxiety among veteran homeschool parents, as well. I've met parents of every background and career experience who've let me know they too experience this same anxiety. Wild Learning's approach is to focus on connecting math to outdoor activities. The Kindergarten guide even has a checklist of the types of useful gear you should have around for your child to go out in any type of weather or outdoor situation, through all of the seasons of the year. It's truly a holistic approach to teaching math.
Who is Rachel Tidd and what inspired her to create Wild Math, Wild Reading, and Wild Learning?
Rachel Tidd is a mother of two young boys. She created Wild Math after watching her children thrive in an outdoor forest preschool. Rachel is a leading proponent of integrating the outdoors and natural materials in math education. Wild Math has been used by schools and homeschool parents throughout the U.S. and the world. Prior to founding Wild Math, Rachel gained extensive teaching experience in elementary education, special education, and as a homeschool parent. She earned a Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education at Bank Street College of Education and a B.S. in Environmental Science from SUNY (State University of New York) College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Wild Math is exciting for Montessori, Charlotte Mason, and Waldorf-inspired parents because it uses natural materials like leaves, rocks, twigs, and pinecones to teach kids place value, as well as practicing addition and subtraction. But this is a wonderful curriculum for parents of any teaching method, who simply love getting their kids outside, or who want to find a way to make the outdoors more fun. Getting outside in an urban environment means navigating different elements, but most kids enjoy getting out and about no matter where you live. It's a time to reset and focus on the world around us, honing our observation skills and letting our imaginations be captured by the sites around us.
Wild Math has full-year curriculums for the following elementary grades:
One of the things busy homeschool parents will truly appreciate about Wild Math is the way it's written. It's organized, and efficient. It doesn't require you to fuss over what to teach; when or how to teach it. It's laid out very simply, and yet very completely. You can use it each time by picking up where you left off. It can be your whole curriculum or you can use it to supplement your math curriculum.
Wild Math curriculums and units can all be purchased at the Wild Learning online shop. All Wild Math Curriculums are DIGITAL DOWNLOADS. If you need your curriculum printed you can print it at home or at a copy store. For printing and binding recommendations, see their FAQs page. Check out the Wild Learning Blog and read about Rache's favorite math games and materials. Visit the Wild Math & Reading Curriculum Amazon list for a super awesome list of accompaniments to the curriculums. If you have an older edition of Wild Math that you're using for a younger sibling, be sure and visit Wild Math's FAQs page (linked in this paragraph) to learn about a curriculum update you might be eligible for.
What Does Wild Math look like? Watch this YouTube video from a homeschooling family who shares what Wild Math's First Grade Curriculum looks like.
Wild Learning is not just About Wild Math -- it's also about Wild Reading! (coming soon!)
Are you looking for a reading program that integrates outdoor learning, multisensory methods, and an overarching story while providing a strong foundation in key reading skills such as phonological awareness, phonics, and writing?
​Wild Reading integrates elements from Waldorf, Montessori, and nature-based learning methods and combines them with science-backed research on how children learn to read. This comprehensive program will help you teach your child to learn to read in a fun and gentle way.
Wild Reading is recommended for children ages 5–7 years old. Reading readiness depends on the child. For most children, this is usually around the age of 6 or 7.
Instructions for registering for our FREE Homeschool 1-on-1 Series with Rachel Tidd from Wild Math
This webinar is FREE, however, it requires pre-registration via Zoom. If you do not already have a Zoom account please be sure to set up a free account when you register for this event.
When: Jun 29, 2021, 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Homeschool 1-on-1 with Wild Math
Register in advance for this webinar:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We look forward to you joining us for this special event!!
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