Learning Outdoors

Have you been inspired to take your students learning outdoors? Does your school have a designated outdoor learning area?

Hopefully your school has a few options set up for outdoor learning. A grass area, amphitheater, garden setup, covered outdoor learning area, or park bench seating is enough to invigorate your students and discover we can learn in different environments. It also allows students to display self control and discipline towards their learning. You will find your students happier and more engaged and focused on their activities.

Go out as a class or simply allow a few students to overflow onto the class verandah so they are still within eyesight.

Some ideas for outdoor learning may include;

• reading time - students take books outside to read in their groups or independently

• taking clipboards outside for scavenger hunts or completing worksheets

• using whiteboards and markers to complete work outdoors

• using chalk on concrete to practice sight words, spelling words, times tables etc.

• using paint brushes and water to practice sight words, numbers, etc to write on the concrete or brick wall

• sport and fitness time - obvious one

• developmental play such as water trolley, bubble blowing, hoops, using the play equipment

• investigating for mathematics - trundle wheels to find area, mapping, following directions, do a shape or pattern walk, measuring volume using containers and water, make the time on clocks with their bodies, tally colour cars that drive by.

• science explorations such as evaporation, weather, light,

• tending the garden - growing seeds, weeding, having a compost bin

• taking circle time outdoors

• dance or drama - space to practice and plan

• creative thinking - observe the clouds

• have an outside learning special fun day where all learning for the day is outdoors

Make sure to;

• set ground rules before leaving the classroom e.g. boundaries

• try to keep distractions to a minimum

• take all required equipment so don’t need to return to the classroom

• have students wear their hats when outdoors

• consider seating such as stumps, yoga mats, benches, on the grass

By promoting outdoor learning you are supporting your students to be flexible with their learning in a natural setting.

Do your students enjoy learning outdoors? Does you have somewhere to take your class outdoors? we would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.