"Diary of a Young Naturalist" and Painting Birches for Special Needs grades 6+

An In-service Program as well as a resource for special education teachers.

Includes an Easel Assessment: "Fun Facts About Birches". "Highly engaging!" Part 1 & 2 included.

· Part 1: *For use with the book, “Diary of a Young Naturalist”, Milkweed Editions, copyright 2021, (222 pages), a memoir, written by Dara McAnulty, a sixteen-year-old Irish (Gaelic) climate activist who has discovered that his close connection to nature benefits his mental health and his ability to deal with autism. Writing and connecting with nature is therapeutic and has the benefit of relieving stress. This resource includes a Discussion Guide for the book to share and read with students and staff members. A motivation for service learning and our environment.

· Part 2: In addition, includes a way of moving closer to the natural world through painting; step-by-step directions on how to paint a forest of silver birch trees using acrylic paints. This make-and-take painting reminds us of the importance nature offers for or well-being.

· Also, a poem, “The Song of the Silver Birches” and cultural background information about *Gaelic beliefs concerning birch trees and a pattern for a sidhe, (a fairy), to place in your painting of the birch forest.

*Gaelic-relating to the Celtic language of current-day Scotland brought from Ireland in the 5th and 6th centuries, AD; mainly spoken in the highlands and islands of western Scotland, Northern Ireland, Nova Scotia, Canada... Multi-cultural in content.

For grades 6 on up, of special interest to helping those with autism, and those who hope to deal more effectively with stress and social anxiety. Also, a dynamic resource for school administrators and educators wanting to provide a positive approach to maintaining a balanced life. Administrators can pair up with art educators in their district to present this resource to staff members… Great for in-service programs and for school counselors and social workers! A comprehensive approach.