Outdoor learning has so many amazing benefits for both students and teachers. Yet, so many teachers just don’t do it.
Why? Sometimes the barriers are real, such as not having access to green space near your school.
However, a lot of times the barriers are in our heads, it’s because we don’t think we are “outdoorsy” enough or know enough about nature to take kids outside.
I’m here to challenge you, even if you don’t consider yourself to be an outdoorsy teacher, to get outside with your students. You don’t need to wear the latest gear from outdoor retailers, like bugs, or know the name of every plant in the schoolyard to get outside. You just need a tiny push to stretch your own boundaries and start thinking about learning outside of the walls of your classroom. The more you get outside, the more you will learn and the more comfortable you will be with it.
Now, you might be asking why you should go through all of the extra efforts of taking learning outside when you’re perfectly happy inside the four walls of your classroom.
The reason is simple: the benefits of outdoor learning are amazing and will not only benefit your students, but you as a teacher as well. It’s time to take learning outside and start reaping the many benefits.
How nature nurtures the whole child (and adult)
When thinking about the benefits of outdoor learning, I like to break things into 3 broad categories… physical benefits, mental health benefits, and social/emotional benefits. The benefits you see will depend on how you approach outdoor learning. You will also see more benefits as your students become more comfortable with learning outside and increase their time outdoors. You can read more about the benefits of outdoor learning here.
Building bodies: The physical benefits of outdoor learning are what likely come to mind first when people think about taking students outside. In the outdoor setting, your students are moving more and are moving in a way that feels natural to them. As they move about outside they are building their gross motor skills as well as their stamina. Students are also able to release the pent-up energy from being indoors in the classroom when they have more freedom to move outdoors. The uneven ground challenges students’ balance and coordination, especially if you can take your students to a naturalized area, such as a wooded area of a park. Students are also able to build fine motor skills by picking up tiny objects, such as rocks, sticks, or insects.
Calming brains: Not only do our bodies benefit from being outdoors, but our brains do as well. Being outdoors provides a mental break from the over-stimulating classroom. Nature has a way of providing the “just-right” amount of stimulus for our brains to feel content and relaxed. Time in nature has also been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. You may even find that your students are able to focus better on academic tasks once you take learning back indoors.
Fostering relationships: Additionally, our students benefit socially and emotionally through outdoor learning. During time outdoors, students are often more easily engaged in cooperative activities. Students naturally have to work together to overcome challenges or complete tasks. Additionally, students’ communication skills are enhanced by spending time outdoors as they describe really cool discoveries or give instructions or directions to others. While outdoors, students are often completing tasks that are difficult which improves their resilience, and self-confidence.
Changing the future: One final bonus benefit of taking learning outside is the relationship that students will begin to build with nature and the Earth. Students are only able to build a relationship with the Earth if they have opportunities to spend some time getting to know her. The best way to allow your students to get to know and love nature is by spending time in nature. So many of our students don’t have opportunities to get outside, so we can take a step towards fostering these relationships by getting outside the classroom. By providing our students with the opportunities to build a relationship with the Earth, we are influencing the future by creating students who care about the Earth and want to protect it.
10 easy, low-prep outdoor activities to do with students
Outdoor learning doesn’t need to be something that is time-consuming or hard. In fact, starting out simply is probably the best way to go. As you gain confidence and comfort in your own ability to take learning outside, you can start to build your practice into something bigger and longer.
As you start your journey into outdoor learning, you will need to remember that outdoor learning is something that is new for your students as well. Your students may not be accustomed to learning outside. (They may not even be accustomed to going outside, let alone learning outside.) Give yourself grace as you try new things and stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone.
Remember, you don’t need to be an expert on nature (or even anything related to being outdoors) to take your students outside. You simply need to have a willingness to try something new. In fact, not being an expert shows your students that they don’t need to be experts either to enjoy being outdoors. They can simply get outside and experience nature and build relationships with nature in their own way.
1. Do your morning routine, sharing circle, morning meeting, or team-building activities outside.
I know a lot of teachers who began their outdoor teaching practice by simply starting their morning routine outside. This removed the barrier of having a tricky transition for the students and allowed them to start out the day peacefully and without a morning rush. Simply taking the morning routine activities, your sharing circle, or your morning meeting outside is a quick and easy way to build in some outdoor time into your day. You can then begin to build on this and extend your time outside as your students become more comfortable with this routine.
2. Take a read-aloud outside
Whether it’s a picture book or a novel, taking your read-aloud story outside and allowing your students to find a comfy spot is a great introductory activity to getting outside. I like taking read-alouds or stories outside as there is very little equipment or preparation required. Bringing some blankets outside for students to sit on adds a layer of comfort but also provides a visible boundary for where you want students to be.
3. Take your independent reading outside
For older students, taking a novel study or their independent reading outside is another great low prep and minimal equipment activity. Simply provide some boundaries for your students, set the expectations for their reading time, and set them free.
4. Try doing nature journals or a nature-based writing activity
Nature journals can take many forms, from pre-made guided journals (like you might purchase and print out) to an open-ended notebook. At first, your students may need some guidance and prompts. However, as time goes on and your students get the feel for journal writing, you might be able to allow more freedom. Additionally, if you have specific writing intentions for your students (such as descriptive writing), you can either create or purchase outdoor-themed writing activities.
5. Take a learning game outside
I love inventing games. Active games are a great way to check for understanding of curriculum content while also engaging students through movement. Often the games that I create are simple (and sometimes even made up on the spot.) For example, in a game I call, “agree or disagree” I will assign 1 tree as the “agree tree” and another as the “disagree tree.” I will then give a statement and students will have to run to whichever tree they feel best suits their own understanding. Sometimes I even have students invent their own games to demonstrate a concept.
6. Take an art activity outside
Let nature inspire your art. So many artists have been inspired by nature, so why not let nature inspire your own budding artists? Taking simple, nature-inspired art activities outside can help students build their observation skills and connection to nature. Try to find activities that don’t involve a lot of materials, such as sketching or watercolor painting.
7. Invite local experts to help facilitate activities
If you feel like taking learning outside is too far outside of your comfort zone, why not seek out the help of an expert? Your community may have experts who offer programs that allow you to take your students outside with support. Local conservation centers, outdoor learning centers, or even environmental programs may have field trip opportunities or visiting guests that can support you in taking learning outside.
8. Take science outside
What better way to learn about ecosystems, weather, or tons of other scientific phenomena than by experiencing them firsthand? There are so many ways that you can take your science curriculum outdoors in ways that are both meaningful and more impactful than any textbook could provide. Your science curriculum or textbooks may even have some great activities for you to try.
9. Explore your community
Learning does not just take place in our schoolyard but can take place in our community as well. You can theme your community walks to whatever best meets your curriculum. It can be as simple as looking for letters or numbers for the “littles,” discovering the services and businesses that are in your community for your older students, to more in-depth community analysis for high school students. Getting to explore the community helps students to feel like they are a part of it and helps them get to know their “neighbours” better.
10. Just play!
Play is an essential part of learning and growing. If you teach younger students, simply finding time for students to play outside in a natural setting (not on a playground) is a fabulous way to integrate outdoor learning. A few props, such as stuffed animals, can help students really get into their outdoor play.
Bring back joy by teaching outdoors: A how-to guide
How to take your first steps toward outdoor learning
The idea of taking learning outside can be daunting. You may have even tried to take things outside in the past only to say, never again. However, outdoor learning is a journey. Nothing goes perfectly the first time and you may encounter challenges that you never thought about before. Here are a few tips to help you get out the door.
1. Start small
Outdoor learning is something new for both you and your students. In the past, students may have only ever played outside and don’t know what it looks like or feels like to learn outside. Your students will need time to get the idea that outdoor time can be learning time too. Try short, easy activities first then build on from there. Also, keep your boundaries small at first. As your students get more comfortable and you build trust, you can expand your boundaries.
2. Set boundaries and expectations ahead of time
Speaking of boundaries, set your outdoor learning boundaries and expectations ahead of time. Don’t wait until your students are outside and running around to let them know what you expect from them. Instead, take some time in the classroom (or in a controlled space outside) to set expectations and explain where you will be going.
3. Be patient
Trying something new is always a bit scary. Be patient with yourself and give yourself grace. I still have lessons that didn’t go according to plan. Take the information you learn from that and use it to grow. Don’t give up, just keep on learning!
4. Be prepared
Have what you need for both safety and your lesson ready ahead of time. Additionally, have a plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate with you. There are so many times when I have had lessons go sideways simply because I forgot something. Additionally, check you outdoor site ahead of time to ensure that it is safe for your students. Check out this free outdoor learning tool kit for templates and tools to help you prepare for outdoor learning.
5. Ask for help: there are people who would love to get outside with you!
You may feel like you are the only one taking your students outside. I’ve felt that way so many times. Remember, there are people out there to connect with who can help you overcome your barriers or problem solve specific challenges. If costs are a barrier, look for local grants or sponsors to help you purchase equipment.
6. Practice building respect and relationship with the Earth
No matter how you choose to approach outdoor learning, make building relationships with the Earth a priority. Set a good example of what respecting nature looks like. Additionally, build in time to talk about how nature helps us in so many ways. Remember, you can help build a generation of citizens who want to help the Earth, simply by getting outside.
How you can teach outdoors (even in the winter!)
Now it’s time to get outside…
It’s time to start taking those first steps towards getting outside with your students. Remember, you don’t need to consider yourself to be outdoorsy to take your students outdoors. You don’t need to know the names of every bird species or plant in your school yard or be an ecosystem expert. Once you start getting outside with your students you will begin to notice the benefits for both yourself and your students.
By getting outside with your students, not only will you be helping them to develop in a more wholistic way, but you will also be building citizens of the future who care about the Earth and have a desire to protect it. Be curious and adventurous and take the first steps towards changing the world and getting outside with your students.