Erin Alladin is an editor, a writer, and an ecology enthusiast who is always looking for ways to combine her passions. Born in Northern Ontario to a gardener and a forester, she spent most of her early life looking at and thinking about the natural world. As a young adult she spent nearly a decade immersed in Toronto’s children’s literature scene before retreating back up north, where she continues to edit for Pajama Press while growing vegetables and writing about regenerative agriculture. Erin lives near Parry Sound with her partner, her garden, and not quite enough bookshelves.
Born Naturalists
In a presentation full of movement, songs, and activities, Erin celebrates kids’ ability to learn about nature simply by paying attention with their own senses. Throughout the presentation, Erin invites students to share their own experiences of spending time outside and noticing interesting things. During an interactive reading of Outside, You Notice, Erin uses props to illustrate a number of the nature facts the book contains.
Beginning with a reading of Outside, You Notice, Erin primes participants to use all their senses to experience the nature around them, and to make observations that lead to more questions and answers. Depending on the makeup of the group, the nature walk itself can include:
- The "Magic Frisbee" game, in which participants take turns throwing a frisbee with the power to "always land on something cool." Erin's responsibility is to use her extensive reserves of nature facts to share something cool about whatever it lands on, from insects to ferns to a gravel path.
- Games in which participants use their whole bodies to engage with the environment like a squirrel, deer, insect, etc.
- Participants taking turns to point out something interesting they notice, which Erin may elaborate on with further information
- Tips on plant identification
- A guided mindfulness experience in which participants are prompted to focus on each sense in turn
Born Naturalists: In a presentation full of movement, songs, and activities, Erin celebrates kids’ ability to learn about nature simply by paying attention with their own senses. Throughout the presentation, Erin invites students to share their own experiences of spending time outside and noticing interesting things. During an interactive reading of Outside, You Notice, Erin uses props to illustrate a number of the nature facts the book contains.
Curriculum connections: the five senses; pollinators; the needs of living things; plant life cycles; mindfulness; healthy, active movement
Notice, Wonder, Write: Ideal for grades 2 and up. In this workshop, Erin takes the audience through the process of transforming Outside, You Notice from idea to book. An interactive book reading is included, if desired. Erin then models the writing of a nonfiction paragraph using her own sensory observations paired with research. A shared writing activity follows, and worksheets are available for optional independent writing later.
With communication beforehand, this presentation can tie in to a curriculum topic your class is currently studying.
