Are you tired of the same old classroom routine? Do you want to inspire your students to learn in a new and exciting way? Look no further than the great outdoors!
Educators and policymakers around the world are realising the incredible benefits of outdoor learning. Not only does it improve children’s mental and physical health, but it can also boost their academic performance. That’s why schools everywhere are jumping on board with Outdoor Classroom Day – 18th May 2023 – a global initiative that encourages schools to take their learning outside for a day of fun and exploration.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what Outdoor Classroom Day is all about, delve into some of the research that supports outdoor learning, and give you some fantastic ideas for activities to try with your students on this special day. So, let’s step outside and discover the wonderful world of outdoor learning!
What is Outdoor Classroom Day?
This global campaign, first launched in 2012 by Project Dirt, is all about encouraging kids to get out of the classroom and into the fresh air. What started as a small initiative has now grown into a global movement that reaches millions of children in 110 countries around the world.
So, what exactly happens on Outdoor Classroom Day? Well, it’s a day filled with fun and exciting activities that take place outside! Schools are encouraged to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to planning their outdoor activities. From nature walks and outdoor science experiments to creative writing and drama games, the possibilities are endless. So, grab your notebooks, put on your thinking caps, and get ready to explore the great outdoors on Outdoor Classroom Day!
Why is outdoor learning important?
Did you know that a breath of fresh air and a little time spent in nature can do wonders for your students’ health and wellbeing? That’s right! Research has shown that outdoor learning can have some pretty incredible benefits for kids. Studies have found that spending time in nature can help reduce symptoms of ADHD, improve cognitive function, and even boost mood and self-esteem. And that’s not all! Outdoor learning has also been linked to better academic performance, particularly in subjects like science and maths.
But what makes outdoor learning so effective? One of the key advantages is the hands-on experience it provides. By learning in an outdoor setting, students can experience subjects in a more vivid and interesting way, making them more engaged and better able to understand the concepts being taught. Outdoor learning can also contribute significantly to students’ personal, social, and emotional growth, helping them to develop important life skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Sadly, studies suggest that children today spend far less time playing outside than previous generations did. Instead, they spend more time glued to screens and electronic devices. By encouraging children to spend more time outside during the school day, we can help to instil a love of the great outdoors in them and inspire them to continue exploring nature outside of school hours. So let’s get out there and enjoy all the amazing benefits that outdoor learning has to offer!
Did you know that outdoor learning has the following benefits?
- Improved physical health: Spending time outside encourages children to be more physically active, which can help prevent obesity and other health problems.
- Enhanced mental health: Studies have found that spending time in nature can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve overall well-being.
- Increased creativity: Being in nature can inspire creativity and imagination, and encourage children to think outside the box.
- Improved social skills: Outdoor learning provides opportunities for children to interact with their peers and develop important social skills like communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
Ideas for Outdoor Classroom Day:
Here are some of our favourite ideas for activities that schools can do on Outdoor Classroom Day:
Nature walks: Take your class on a nature walk and encourage them to observe the world around them. Provide them with notebooks and pencils so they can record what they see, hear, and smell.
Outdoor Science experiments: One fun and easy outdoor science experiment that children can do is to test the acidity of soil in different areas of their school grounds.
Materials needed:
- Soil sample (from different areas of the school grounds)
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Water
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Plastic cups
- Stirring spoon
- pH test strips
- Notebook and pen to record observations
Instructions:
- Collect soil samples from different areas of the school grounds. For example, children can collect soil from a garden bed, a patch of grass, and an area that is paved or covered with concrete.
- Place a small amount of each soil sample (approximately 1 tablespoon) into separate plastic cups.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water to each cup and stir the soil until it is thoroughly moistened.
- Using a pH test strip, measure the pH level of each soil sample by dipping the strip into the soil and comparing the colour to the pH chart on the package. Record the pH level of each soil sample in a notebook.
- Next, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to one of the soil samples and stir it thoroughly. Observe any changes in the soil, such as bubbles or fizzing.
- Using a pH test strip, measure the pH level of the vinegar-treated soil and record the result in the notebook.
- Repeat the process with the baking soda by adding 1 tablespoon of baking soda to another soil sample and stirring it thoroughly. Observe any changes in the soil.
- Using a pH test strip, measure the pH level of the baking soda-treated soil and record the result in the notebook.
- Discuss the results with the children. Which soil sample had the highest acidity level? Which soil sample had the lowest acidity level? Did the addition of vinegar or baking soda change the pH level of the soil?
Nature Poetry: Creative writing is a wonderful way for children to express themselves and explore their imaginations. By encouraging them to write poems or stories inspired by nature, you can help them develop their writing skills while also fostering a love of the outdoors.
Instructions:
- Begin by discussing the beauty and wonder of the natural world with your students. Encourage them to share their favourite outdoor memories and experiences.
- Next, introduce the concept of poetry. Explain that poetry is a form of creative writing that uses language to evoke emotion and imagery.
- Provide some examples of nature-themed poems. Read the poems aloud and ask the children to describe the images and emotions that the poems evoke.
- Encourage the children to write their own nature poems. Explain that their poems can be about any aspect of the natural world that inspires them, such as trees, animals, or weather.
- Provide some guidelines for writing poetry, such as using descriptive language, playing with rhythm and rhyme, and experimenting with different poetic forms.
- Give the children time to write their poems. Encourage them to take their time and really focus on capturing the essence of the natural world in their writing.
- Once the children have finished their poems, encourage them to share their work with the class. Ask them to read their poems aloud and share what inspired them to write their poem.
- Finally, create a classroom display of the children’s nature poems. You could create a poetry wall, or display the poems along with nature-themed artwork or photographs.
Improv in Nature: Drama games are a great way for children to develop their communication skills, creativity, and confidence. When played outdoors, drama games can be even more exciting and engaging, as children can use the natural environment as a backdrop for their performances.
Instructions:
- Begin by gathering the children together and explaining that you will be playing an improv game that uses the natural environment as a setting.
- Ask the children to close their eyes and imagine that they are standing in the middle of a forest. Ask them to use their senses to describe what they see, hear, smell, and feel.
- Explain that the game will involve acting out a scene in this forest setting, but without any pre-planning or scripting. The children will need to use their imaginations to come up with a story on the spot.
- Divide the children into pairs or small groups. Ask them to choose a spot in the outdoor area to use as their “stage.”
- Give the children a scenario to act out, such as “Two hikers lost in the woods” or “A group of animals trying to find their way home.”
- Encourage the children to use the natural environment as part of their performance. For example, they could use trees as props, or incorporate the sounds of birds or insects into their scene.
- Give the children a set amount of time to prepare their scene and come up with their story.
- Once the children are ready, have them perform their scene for the rest of the group. Encourage them to be creative and have fun with their performance.
- After all the groups have performed, have a group discussion about what the children enjoyed about the game, what they found challenging, and what they learned from the experience.
Outdoor Garden: Gardening is a wonderful way to teach children about the natural world and help them develop an appreciation for the environment. It also provides a hands-on way to learn about the food we eat and the importance of sustainability. Use your Outdoor Learning day to set up your very own vegetable garden in the school grounds.
- Plan the garden: First, decide where the garden will be located and what type of plants you would like to grow. Consider the amount of sunlight the area receives, the soil type, and any environmental factors that may affect the growth of your plants. Involve your students in the planning process by asking them what types of plants they are interested in growing.
- Prepare the soil: Before planting, you will need to prepare the soil by loosening it and adding compost or fertiliser. This will provide the plants with the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.
- Plant the seeds or seedlings: Once the soil is ready, it’s time to plant your seeds or seedlings. You may want to involve your students in the planting process by having them dig holes, place seeds, and cover them with soil.
- Water and care for the plants: Regular watering and maintenance is essential to ensure the success of your garden. Encourage your students to help water and care for the plants, and teach them about the importance of weeding and pest control.
- Harvest the produce: As your plants begin to grow, you can involve your students in the process of harvesting and using the produce. This can be a great way to teach them about where their food comes from and how it’s grown.
- Use the garden as a teaching tool: The garden can be a great teaching tool for a variety of subjects, such as science and maths. Encourage your students to keep journals or sketchbooks to record their observations and experiences in the garden. You can also incorporate lessons about sustainability and plant anatomy.
With the growing concerns about children’s screen time and sedentary lifestyles, Outdoor Classroom Day offers an excellent opportunity for schools to promote physical activity, boost academic performance, and enhance social and emotional skills. As educators, we can encourage our students to explore and appreciate the natural world and inspire them to become advocates for environmental sustainability. So, let’s take our classrooms outside and explore the wonders of nature together! Sign up and join in Outdoor Classroom Day here
