tips & tricks for teaching outdoors prepared by cara rieckenberg, environmental education...
TRANSCRIPT
Tips & Tricks for Teaching Outdoors
Prepared by Cara Rieckenberg, Environmental Education CoordinatorPrior Lake-Savage Area Schools
Why use the schoolyard as a classroom? Allow students to gain an appreciation and
awareness of natural resources Provide authentic learning opportunities Develops critical thinking skills Exposure to a dynamic environment for inquiry Opportunities to encounter real-life situations Research shows time in nature and exposure to
natural settings proves to be highly beneficial for the treatment of children who have ADHD, anxiety, depression, cognitive and behavior disorders, autism and sensory disabilities
Why use the schoolyard as a classroom? Provide easy access, on-site field trips Empower students Affirm a place and role for humans in the
environment Build community Transform and beautify the schoolyard Reduce landscape maintenance needs (labor and
cost) Provide a context for teaching across all subject
areas Provide new ways to meet the needs of all
students
Why use the schoolyard as a classroom?
Why use the schoolyard as a classroom?
Design, Build, Construct, Plan, Produce, Devise
Compare, Organize, Question, Research,
Check, Judge, Critique, Experiment, Test, Detect
Do, Carry Out, Use, Run, Implement
Recall, List, Find, Recognize, Locate, Describe
Interpret, Summarize, Explain, Classify, Infer
A Schoolyard Classroom can be… As small or as big as
a… Amphitheater Archaeological Area Bird Feeder and Baths Bird Sanctuary Boulder Garden Butterfly Garden Compost Pile Erosion-Control
Demonstration Area Insect Traps
Nesting Boxes Orienteering Course Prairie Patch Rain Garden School Forest Soil Profile Area Squirrel Observatory Tree Trail Vegetable Garden Weather Station
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Outdoors If you see something interesting, be prepared to
answer questions about it or say “I don’t know. Let’s look it up when we get back.” It is okay for teachers to learn new things along with their students.
When speaking, face into the sun or at an angle. It is easy to lose an audience’s attention if they are looking into the sun. Keep the sun to their backs.
Sunglasses inhibit eye contact with your audience and should be avoided when speaking to a group.
Allow plenty of time to stop; let students explore, discover and get dirty!
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Outdoors Expect teachable moments. It is okay to
temporarily stop discussing the lesson to explore the moment.
Uses the senses to explore an object. Make sure all senses are being used when safe. (Except of course taste.)
Set boundaries as necessary and make sure all the students know them.
Do frequent head counts. Spend time with your students reflecting on the
outdoor experience. Focus on the new lessons learned and the positive experiences.
Have fun!!
PLSAS Outdoor Learning Guidelines Use quiet voices and feet Stay on the trails or where a teacher has
indicated as safe and appropriate Selectively choose samples Return samples to where they were taken Unless directed, leave nature where it is (leaves
on the ground, twigs on the trees, flowers on the plants, etc.)
Always be in a spot where the teacher can be seen and the teacher can see them
Keep up with the teacher so they don’t miss anything
If you see litter, pick it up or tell the teacher
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Outdoors In the Beginning…
Baby steps Create, review and practice clear and specific
guidelines for behavior Create, review and practice signals
Whistle – 1 whistle = look at me; 2 whistles = come to me; 3 whistles = return to door where entered outdoor classroom
Look without talking Start small and build gradually – both with time,
lesson objectives and expectations of accomplishments
Repeat activities building upon objectives, expectations and time outdoors
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Outdoors Always…
Review clear expectations of behavior Establish clear objectives so students know what
should be accomplished within the time allotted Hold students accountable for learning in the
outdoor classroom Stop activity if guidelines are not being followed
including safety of students and even nature Bring a cell phone or walkie talkie Let the office know where you are
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Outdoors Keep them focused…
Write out questions about the hike/activity on index cards. Occasionally have students read their cards out loud.
Provide paint color chips for students to match to natural items.
Instead of having students answer questions or write observations, create a BINGO board with the same information requiring students to draw pictures or use descriptive sentences
Use the words “Pay Attention” instead of “Look” or “Listen”
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Outdoors On the trail…
Lead the students past the object you want to talk about. Then go back to the middle of the group so everyone can see the object and hear you.
Bring a hula hoop or rope to put around the object so it does not get trampled.
If possible, keep an adult at the beginning and end of the group. If not possible, the one adult should walk in the middle with a slower student assigned to be the leader.
Questions that need to be answered
What about if class is outside and there is a lock down (drill or otherwise)? Fire drill? Fire Drill – go to designated location Lockdown Drill – go to neighborhood house
Questions that need to be answered
What about students that are not dressed appropriately for the weather? Students need to stop at lockers first and meet at
designated location Use Coat Room as location for getting jackets?? Buy classroom set of jackets?? Need a policy (Leadership Team needs to create) Remember students with physical challenges
(Wilderness Inquiry) Letter needs to be sent home that we are
environmental school, there is an expectation of outdoor learning (Principal is writing letter, Kari will put on website, will be distributed at open house)
Questions that need to be answered
Does sign up need to be established for designated Outdoor Classroom? By Beverly’s classroom?? Website calendar?? Environmental Committee is going to
design/create/manage What about students with epi-pens? Inhalers?
Ideally students should have these with Can the nurse let teachers now who has these for
environmental allergies? Is a First Aid kit needed to go outdoors?
Yes. Nurse needs to get this organized. Do individual classrooms have bandaids/gloves/etc in ziploc bags? If so, should bring those out.
To do for Environmental Committee Inquiry boxes – 1 or 2 per department – who
will organize? Keep inventoried (if needed)? Manage?
Designated outdoor classrooms (plural) – can a map be created and posted in the staff room or near mailboxes?
Create a sign up for outdoor classrooms – where will it be located? Who will manage it?
Resources for ‘How to’ of Teaching Outdoors
MN DNR School Forest http://dnr.state.mn.us/schoolforest/
outdoorteaching.html
Children and Nature Network www.childrenandnature.org