“The earth has music for those who listen.” ― George Santayana

Growing up exploring and learning new things about nature was always one of my favorite things to do. Being active outside and having older people in my life to inspire me to do hands on learning activities is something that I am so grateful for now when I look back on it.

As I began working my summer job as a director of a at risk children's summer camp I quickly discovered that these children(ages 5-12) really knew nothing about nature at all and I had a strong desire to change that. Starting right that day we did experiments with the leaves, we made habitats for worms and talked about what an ideal habitat is for other living creatures. The children became more and more knowledgable about nature everyday.  I took them hunting for different kinds of bugs and then identified as many as we could before safely releasing them. The children told me ways that they thought we could keep our environment clean from pollution. We had a week all about space and most of them were able to see their very first shooting star and learned all about constellations. 

By the end of my short time with these children I was amazed by the small facts that they remembered about nature, that I taught them. Not only was I happy that I was able to introduce the children to this topic but I was happy to be that "older" person to inspire them just as my sister was to me. So now, every time I see a shooting star I count that as my own little celebration between nature and myself.

All About ME

Hello! My name is Allison Rouleau, but you can call me Alli. This is my blog for my MSED251 course.  I grew up in a small town in the lower peninsula called Alpena MI. Growing up I lived in happy little house with my mom, dad and my older sister Heather. From the time that I was three years old until the day I graduated high school I was in dance class attending tap, jazz, ballet, modern and point. Throughout my junior high and high school years I ran on both the track and cross country team at Alpena High School. From the time I was young working with children is something that has always been a passion of mine. I have volunteered in many different organizations run for children and recently spend my summers as a director of a children's summer camp specifically run for special education and at risk children. This job is what helped me make my decision to happily declare my major as elementary special education. Although I am fairly new to the program I am beyond excited for my future to come!