Making Outdoor Learning Fun

by Clearity Yentzer

Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Clearity, and I am responsible for planning the outdoor lessons at the school where I teach. When cultivating these lessons, my approach is to plan activities that integrate what students have previously learned in the classroom. By doing so, students can reinforce key topics and concepts in a fun and exciting way. Additionally, I am fond of utilizing natural objects as materials for activities, to make a connection with nature. For example, to reinforce counting skills, students can gather objects such as sticks, berries, flowers, and stones. Then, they will count the objects as practice. Through this approach, students can fortify their counting skills, while engaging in sensory exploration.

In addition to that objective, I also enjoy incorporating activities that foster creativity. An example of this would be having the students collect flowers of different colors, and then having them smash the flowers on paper using a mallet. As simple as that sounds, this activity is a way for students to develop art skills, while simultaneously developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination by learning how to correctly hold and use a mallet. Those are just a few examples. By incorporating outdoor activities, there are far more benefits to reap. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless!