How many times do your students ask to be taught outside? It seems that grade doesn’t matter, nor does the subject, there’s something about being out of the classroom and learning that holds an appeal. The environment is all around us, so why not use it to teach? Have you ever heard of an outdoor classroom? Or thought of using one?
In this post, you will learn what an outdoor classroom is and the benefits it holds for students. You will also learn what is necessary to create an outdoor classroom and get some ideas for using it effectively.
Table of Contents
- What is an Outdoor Classroom?
- What Does an Outdoor Classroom Look Like?
- Any outdoor classroom should have a few things in place:
- Benefits of an outdoor classroom
- How to create an outdoor classroom
- Ideas and inspirations for an outdoor classroom
- Tips for your outdoor classroom
- Ideas for lessons based on the environment
- Resources to use in an outdoor classroom
- Outdoor Classroom FAQs
- Final thoughts on outdoor classrooms
What is an Outdoor Classroom?
An outdoor classroom is a space outside in which students can be taught. It really is an extension of the school, but is a space away from the classroom, where students have the opportunity to interact with nature. They primarily learn about the environment. The activities they engage in are mostly about exploring the outdoors, or using nature to complete exercises.
The resources and teaching aids in an outdoor classroom are all interactive. The students don’t just sit and listen, or take in the content, they are actively engaged with the resources for learning.
What Does an Outdoor Classroom Look Like?
An outdoor classroom can be something as simple as a space in the grounds of your school, possibly with some form of shade cover. It can also be a spot out in the woods, or even on the beach.
More informal outdoor teaching spaces are usually used for once-off lessons, based on an aspect of a particular location. For example, you can teach about trees out in the park. However, a more formal outdoor classroom needs to present a more structured place that can be used to teach any lesson. It can be used regularly.
Any outdoor classroom should have a few things in place:
- Some kinds of seating for the students. This may be in the form of anything from tables and chairs to a picnic mat on the lawn.
- Some form of shade for the students. In a more formal outdoor classroom, there is likely to be a stretched canvas roof or a more permanent structure.
- A display board, or whiteboard that can be used in teaching.
Benefits of an outdoor classroom
Physical
There are health benefits to being in an outdoor classroom. Of course, this is clear when sitting in a closed classroom holds a risk to the students’ health. However, even everyday classes outside give the students a sense of wellbeing. They get to breathe fresher air and to enjoy the sunshine and shade.
When students connect with nature, their physical health improves. Being out in the sun is also beneficial to their health.
Mental
Outdoor classrooms can help students think creatively. Because they are working in a different context, they learn how to tackle problems. They also learn to work effectively in groups.
Emotional
There is something about being out of doors, out in nature, that speaks to our emotions. Students feel more at peace and open in an outdoor classroom. They have the freedom to work creatively and freely. They also come to understand themselves and others in the new space.
Students who are taught in an outdoor classroom learn to be empathetic towards others
How to create an outdoor classroom
Find the correct location
An outdoor classroom can be set up anywhere outside. This doesn’t necessarily mean out in the countryside. You can have an outdoor classroom in your city school grounds.
What makes an outdoor classroom specific is that it must be separate from any building, even if the distance between the two is quite short.
You should try to choose a location that has some natural shade and is accessible to all students, including those who have a physical disability. It may be necessary to create a pathway to the outdoor classroom.
Create a shelter
You will want to use your outdoor classroom throughout the year, if possible. If you can, erect some form of shelter that at least offers shade. If possible, the shelter should be rainproof too.
The shelter should extend far enough beyond the edges of the teaching area so that rain won’t splatter in on the kids.
Display, chalk and white boards
In any lesson, you will need some form of board on which you can write or draw content relevant to the lesson. You can erect a permanent whiteboard or chalkboard in the classroom. Alternatively, order a standing whiteboard and a standing display board you can use in the outdoor classroom.
Arrange some form of seating
An essential part of an outdoor classroom is seating. Your students must be able to sit during lessons. They may also need to write or draw. If you are establishing an outdoor classroom from scratch, then you can choose plastic chairs or wooden benches. You can also be creative and use cut-off logs, or upturned paint cans as seats. Just make sure they are steady.
It will make the classroom more versatile if you include tables the students can work on.
Include storage
A useful outdoor classroom should be equipped with all the basic things you need in a classroom. This means you will need a locker or cupboard in which to keep your supplies.
Ideas and inspirations for an outdoor classroom
These are some ideas to give you inspiration for your outdoor classroom.
This outdoor classroom is set up for discussions and demonstrations.
With this mud table preschoolers will have fun in an outdoor classroom.
This outdoor classroom uses a simple amphitheater layout.
This teacher uses an existing feature in a park as an outdoor classroom.
Sheets of paper are attached to a structure in an outdoor classroom for painting fun.
Some outdoor classroom layouts are quite intricate and extensive.
Create a barefoot sensory path to teach the kids about touch and texture.
Tips for your outdoor classroom
Here are a few tips to think about if you want to create or use an outdoor classroom.
- Keep the design of the outdoor classroom simple. As long as the students can sit and work quite comfortably, they will have what they need.
- Don’t fall into the trap of approaching your outdoor classroom as simply an alternative to your usual classroom. You must think about it differently.
- Choose a location for a permanent outdoor classroom that is easily accessible. This usually means in the schoolgrounds, quite close to your classroom.
- If you have the opportunity, take your senior class to a park, or the equivalent, and create a temporary outdoor classroom.
Ideas for lessons based on the environment
How to begin a garden
This lesson can be taught in any outdoor classroom. It can be extended if the classroom could be close to a garden patch.
You will need to bring some seeds and some seedlings to class. You will also need a few pots and potting soil.
Begin by explaining to the learners that the seeds will grow into the seedings if they are planted in the soil. With an older class, you can teach germination and the process of growth.
Divide the class into groups. Each group will prepare a pot for planting. They will then plant their seeds. Over the next few weeks, the groups must tend their plants and will watch them grow.
If there is a garden patch nearby, the students can eventually plant their plants outside and tend them in the ground.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Before the lesson, gather a stock of empty packaging and put it in front of the outdoor classroom.
Set the students the task of working in groups to use anything from the pile of waste to create a toy box for a child.
They can use glue and string, but no materials other than those in the pile.
Create art from nature
This lesson can be done in any grade. The outline remains the same, but the parameters will need to be adjusted.
The task is for students to create a piece of art from nature. They can only use things they find around the outdoor classroom.
They may use paper or cardboard and glue to put their pieces together.
Resources to use in an outdoor classroom
Resource 1: Helping our Environment from TeachSimple.
This resource is a set of information and activities that introduced Grades 3 – 6 to the idea of being environmentally aware. The activities include experiments, crafts, research and games.
Using this resource in an outdoor classroom will bring the students closer to the whole experience of the environment. It will also help them to relate to preserving our natural resources.
Resource 2: Livestock & Climate Change: No simple solution from TeachSimple.
This resource is aimed at Grades 7 – 10. It focuses on the effects livestock farming has on climate change. The students are encouraged to consider the impact that agriculture has on the environment. The resource includes a digital and a print version. You may find it an effective marriage between the electronic and the environment if you take it into an outdoor classroom. If you live in an agricultural area, it can be used very effectively.
Resource 3: Environmental / Consumer Health from TeachSimple.
This resource is a great way for Grade 2 students to get close to the health of the environment. It will also help them understand how they can contribute to their world. The unit consists of 12 pages of content and an assessment you can use in an outdoor classroom.
Resource 4: Earth Day Package from TeachSimple.
This resource is the perfect all-in-one for you to use in an outdoor classroom. It can be used in one or two long sessions, or split up over a number of lessons. The resource is a whole package that includes a word search, earth quilt and ‘Earth Day Math’.
Outdoor Classroom FAQs
Preschoolers are just the right age to have fun outdoors, so make their learning in an outdoor classroom fun. Arts and crafts is a great place to start. They can do some finger painting and not worry about making a mess on the floor. Or you could teach them how to make pictures with leaves and twigs.
In an outdoor classroom, the subject content is brought to life for students. This is especially true when the content is related to the environment. However, just a little bit of effort and imagination can relate other content to the surroundings too.
An outdoor classroom can be used to teach any grade. You can teach lessons in Biology and Life Sciences very effectively out of the main classroom. The students can do experiments in an outdoor classroom. It is also an exciting space for Visual Art or Drama lessons.
If your school is going to the effort of creating a permanent outdoor classroom, then it should be used as much as possible. You should aim to use it at least a few times a week. You may also find that you can dedicate one whole day every fortnight to the outdoor classroom.
Final thoughts on outdoor classrooms
An outdoor classroom offers endless opportunities for some innovative teaching and hands-on interactive learning for the students. They will benefit physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually from the experience of being taught creatively outside. The classroom is also the perfect place for learners to explore and learn about the environment.
