Spring is in full bloom, daily temperatures are rising, and my middle schooler is counting down to summer break! Classrooms that get too warm coupled with boisterous students can make it difficult to engage in meaningful learning experiences during the last weeks of school!
A new podcast I’ve been listening to,
Healthier, Happier, Smarter: Wisconsin Voices on the Power of Nature inspired me to gather some ideas and resources to lean in and take learning outside instead of slogging through the final days.
Connect with Nature and Each Other
Research suggests that brief physical movement and time outdoors can help students reset, reduce stress and mental fatigue, and help increase attention back in the classroom. Public health advocate and university faculty Mary Michaud shares more about this concept in the
first episode of the podcast and below are some ideas and additional articles to put it into action.
The end of the year is a natural time to reflect on personal growth and learning. Rather than having students sit inside and stare at a screen or at a blank piece of paper, invite connection and conversation by taking this exercise outside. Lead students on a short walk around the school yard and ask them to consider how things have changed from fall to spring. Then ask them to reflect on how they have changed through the seasons. Circle up on the grass, at a group of picnic tables, or even on the pavement (if it’s not too hot) to share reflections outloud or allow for some quiet writing time.
Mindfulness exercises also provide opportunities for connection with nature and each other. If you are new to mindfulness, this
article from Edutopia provides a 6-step approach to engage the senses outside. Educator Donna Paul shares her experience re-energizing elementary students outdoors
in this article.
Explore Content Outdoors
Taking learning outside is not just for science class. Wisconsin’s 2023 National Teacher of the Year representative Lori Danz wrote in a
recent blog post, “Any content that can be taught in an indoor classroom can be adapted to be taught outdoors. As I tell the staff I work with, outdoor education isn’t defined by what you teach, it is defined by where you teach.”
Elementary principal Dr. Justin Nies shares how and why he encourages staff to take lessons outdoors in the
second podcast episode. Doing a classroom read-aloud or having independent reading time? Head outside! Working on writing? Use observations on the school grounds as a writing prompt.
Success with these individual and quiet types of activities can be supported by defining personal space and providing options for learners who don’t love to sit on the grass. I reached out to our local flooring store and received old carpet samples for students to use on these occasions.
Teaching math?
This article provides ideas from folding and testing paper airplanes to learning geometry and measurement. Teaching with tech? Explore the schoolyard using devices! Engage in a
QR-code scavenger hunt or photo safari. Use apps like
Seek to learn about plants and wildlife on school grounds.
Working with young children? Check out these articles to support
inquiry and
domain development through outdoor preschool environments.
Engage in Civic Action
Providing purpose-driven learning opportunities can be a great way to harness end-of-year excitement and energy. Many states offer programs to support “green schools” initiatives. These programs often involve youth-lead investigations inside and outside the school building. In Wisconsin, teachers and students can earn a variety of classroom badges connected to outdoor learning. Chippewa Falls high school students share their investigation into energy use in their school district and community in the third podcast episode.
Visit the
Project Green Schools website and scroll down to section “IV. State Resources” to find your state’s program. If your state doesn’t have one, consider participating in
Eco-Schools. Join
Earth Force’s Educator Community or download the
Green Apple Resources Toolkit to help your students design their own school or community investigation.
Keep it Simple
Taking learning outside doesn’t have to be complicated or add more to teachers’ already overflowing plates. Look for opportunities to take what is already planned and move it outdoors. Even a few minutes will refresh learners and educators alike. Subscribe to
Healthier, Happier, Smarter: Wisconsin Voices on the Power of Nature for bi-weekly episodes that explore what happens when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the natural world, and the impact that shift has on students and communities alike.
Join the Movement
Learn from other educators who are taking learning outside. Here are a few ways to get started:
- NAAEE eePRO K-12 Group is free to join and provides resources and a forum to find inspiration and ask ideas of other educators.
- Outdoor Classroom Day takes place each spring and fall as part of a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day. Consider joining their community and put your school, organization, or household on the map.
- Natural Start Alliance is dedicated to creating a world where every young child has access to a great education that includes nature every day. Join this community of early learning professionals to learn more about high-quality and accessible nature-based education.
