How to Build Your Own Outdoor Classroom

TL;DR

Creating outdoor learning labs provides academic benefits, promotes student wellness, and can be utilized for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transcript

Teacher: [singing] "Erase your boards, erase your boards. Your eyes are looking at me!" Y'all are getting really good at writing your letters. >>Jeanne: There are incredible academic benefits to using outdoor spaces. An outdoor learning lab is an extension of school. So, it is a classroom full of learning features that are hands-on, so teachers c... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔬 Outdoor learning labs provide hands-on experiences for subjects like math, science, and literacy, offering students a more engaging and practical approach to learning.
• 🧑‍🎓 Spending time in outdoor settings promotes student wellness by reducing stress levels and providing a change of environment.
• 🥼 During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor learning labs offer a safe learning environment with reduced transmission risks.
• 🗯️ Choosing the right location for an outdoor learning lab is crucial, considering proximity to the school, accessibility, shade availability, and minimizing distractions.
• 🥼 Providing storage options and comfortable seating enhances the functionality and usability of outdoor learning labs.
• 🌂 Additional features like raised beds, vegetable gardens, rain barrels, compost bins, and weather stations further enhance the learning experience and cater to STEM subjects.
• 🧑‍🏫 Prioritizing outdoor teaching activities based on teacher preferences and subject priorities helps create a vision for an effective outdoor learning lab.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the academic benefits of using outdoor spaces for learning?

Outdoor learning labs provide hands-on experiences that bring subjects like math, science, and literacy to life. This interactive approach enhances understanding and engagement among students.

Q: How do outdoor learning labs contribute to student wellness?

Being in an outdoor setting positively impacts student wellness. It provides a change of environment, fresh air, and exposure to nature, which can reduce stress levels and enhance overall well-being.

Q: In what ways can outdoor learning labs be used for social distancing during the pandemic?

Outdoor learning offers a safer alternative to traditional classrooms. With reduced transmission of COVID-19 outdoors, utilizing outdoor spaces as learning labs enables schools to implement effective social distancing measures.

Q: What are the key considerations when building an outdoor learning lab?

When constructing an outdoor learning lab, key factors include choosing a location that is accessible to all students, considering shade for sun protection, ensuring good drainage, minimizing distractions from adjacent playgrounds, and providing storage options for teachers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Outdoor learning labs offer hands-on learning experiences in math, science, and literacy, extending the traditional classroom.

• Being in an outdoor setting improves student wellness, with potential health benefits.

• Outdoor learning has gained interest as a social distancing strategy, reducing COVID-19 transmission.