Maine Local Living School
nurturing the human-earth relationship
Day Programs
For School, Homeschool or Community Groups
"Our public school has worked with Maine Local Living School for more than a decade-- via field trips and in-school programming. Foraging, planting, making herbal teas, bowls, twine, utensils and bread from acorns...the activity itself is only one layer of the learning. While deftly interweaving songs and stories, Chris nudges everyone beyond the instruction in new and practical skills, to think about and engage with their place in the earth community."
- Tracy Williams, W.G. Mallett School Principal
Day programs in place-based and nature-based skills and experiences
Location: At your school or at Maine Local Living School campus
Group Size: Our max group size for an interactive presentation is 50 students. For handwork and more involved outdoor projects our max group size is 24.
Duration: Programs are typically school day-long.
Goals: Build ecological literacy and inspire sense of kinship with plants and animals in our local ecosystem. Learn about climate science, climate change mitigation and adaptation. Explore sustainable systems and renewable energy hands-on. Experience sustainable forestry and work with non-timber forest products. Support social and emotional well being. W Wee
Methods:
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Hands-on work with local foods: shelling dry corn off the cob, grinding cornmeal, shelling beans, cracking and processing acorns
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Carbon Cycle Journey: Students follow the flow of carbon through the homestead ecosystem while learning about photosynthesis and biogeochemical cycles: carbon sequestration, carbon storage, and the human interface with these cycles.
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Plant and tree identification, observation, and appreciation
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Students spend time in the woods learning ecological principles and the foundations of sustainable forestry: managing Maine’s woodlands for timber, carbon storage, food, fiber, medicine, and craft
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Story and song
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Wild gathering: wild edibles, wild teas, plant fibers, roots for sewing bark bracelets and baskets
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Making safe fire from found materials, making fire with friction
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Weaving with local materials
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Custom Programs: We are happy to focus on a particular lesson that complements your classroom instruction and curricular goals. Here is a sample of curricular options for a middle school program. For a description of how MLLS programs fulfill Next Generation Science Standards, please see this doc.
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Cost:
10 students or less - $650
One class, 11-24 students - $850
Two classes, up to 50 students - $1,400
Programs at your school - $450 and up depending on hours of program, number of students, number of MLLS educators, and distance from MLLS
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We are striving for financial accessibility of our programs; please complete this form if the program costs above are not doable for your school or community group.
“Maine Local Living School inspires and supports our efforts for place based education at Kingfield Elementary School. Mr. Chris, our favorite guest educator, facilitates experiences for our students, such as making flour from acorns, shelter building, making medicinal pine tea, local winter food, maple sugaring, and brown ash basketry. These experiences are intricately integrated into our curriculum, and they connect our students to the place in which they live. Mr. Chris’ teaching style is rooted in gratitude for our place and all it provides for us. His storytelling and songs engage students in content and spark wonder, curiosity, inquiry, and appreciation for all living things."
- Selina Warren, Kingfield Elementary School
"Thank you for coming to our school today. The students were mesmerized and encouraged to live an ecologically friendly lifestyle...They love the demonstration of fire and the satisfaction of making rope. We determined as a team of teachers that your presentation was our top priority when discussing field trips and special functions."
- Fifth grade teacher, Albert S. Hall School
