Outdoor Classroom Day

So I spent three summers away from my husband working on a master's degree in another state. That was several years ago and now I am proud to hold a master's in science education or more specifically, outdoor education. 

It's surprising that most people assume that outdoor education is simply a degree in P.E. but that is far from the case. Rather, imagine using the outdoors as a classroom. What possibilities does that bring? Kids these days can be quite deprived when it comes to the great outdoors and nature. Did you know that 74% of kids do not get even the amount of outdoor time that is recommended for inmates? That is just one hour per day! As a specialist in outdoor education, I find that to be disturbing. 

So what is one to do in the great outdoors with a classroom full of wiggling, energetic kids? LOTS! Here are some ideas for different classes in the great outdoors.

Reading: 
1. Bring blankets and lay under the trees for independent reading time
2. Read books about nature-related topics
3. Connect nature reading themes with actual observations of those items in real life in the great outdoors
4. Outdoor sight word games
5. This outdoor story tree looks amazing!

Math: 
1. For place value manipulatives: use small stones as ones, and small twigs as tens
2. Use sidewalk chalk outside to practice math problems
3. Go to a field to measure out the length of something big such as a blue whale
4. Play math movement games outside
5. Make graphs outdoors using natural objects 

Writing: 
1. Nature Journaling...you can check out two of my resources here and here.
2. Story Stones
3. Outdoor story reenactments such as We're going on a bear hunt
4. Bring a blanket or tent and have some writing time in the great outdoors
5. Get outside and write poems, about a certain area, using your five senses

Science:
1. Scavenger hunts: These are great because you can customize them according to what you are learning. For example, younger children may be looking for objects of different colors, while primary students may look for different types of seeds such as winged seeds, spiky seeds, etc., and older students may look for even more in depth items such as specific types of leaves or shells, etc. You can check mine out here.
2. Go on a nature walk
3. Do gardening activities
4. Engage them in birding activities: place feeders or houses, or both around your school for students to use in observing different birds
5. Use a cloud viewer to observe and learn about different cloud types

Social Studies:
1. Hold a simulation outside about an important event in history. I did this a couple of times when we were studying the underground railroad. You can see more about that here and here.
2. Get outside to practice map skills with fun games.
3. While learning about other countries and their culture, try out some games that they play.
4. Go on a walk through your neighborhood and then come back and have students create a mini replica with paper bag buildings. 
5. Set up imaginative play stations, that tie in to your study about the community, on the playground.

Art: 
1. Do texture rubbings and use them in your art project
2. Use natural items to create an art project here, here, and here.
3. Paint with nature items or make nature paint brushes to use here and here. 
4. Tie in nature art displays with books you have read.
5. Have fun with bubbles in art here, here, and here.

Bible: 
1. One of my favorite things to do with my class is to take them outdoors for a Bible Diorama game. They are split into groups of about four students. Each group decides on a Bible story. They use nature items to recreate their story on a spot on the ground. They usually have about 15 minutes or so to create the story. Then they go around to the other groups, one group at a time, to try to figure out what their story is.
2. Another favorite is a scavenger hunt. These could work for various Bible stories, but the one I used it most recently for was when we were learning about creation. We were studying day three, when God made the land and plants. Students had a list of words that they had to find plant items for such as something heart-shaped, something big, something sharp, etc.
3. Try out this Round up the Sheep game for learning about the lost sheep.
4. Find items in nature and use them as object lessons. The students could even do this themselves.
5. Use this Books of the Bible game to help students review the Bible books.

Be sure to check out Pinterest for even more ideas. But whatever you do, get those kids out into nature!