Today’s EDCamp was such a rewarding experience. The slideshow image for the event showed people sitting around a campfire, which was ironically fitting given that many of us were eager to discuss ways to incorporate Outdoor Education (Outdoor Ed) into core subject classrooms.
We had an in-depth conversation about the value of integrating outdoor time into our classrooms. While some wondered if being outside could be a distraction that makes it hard for students to refocus when they return indoors, we agreed that the benefits of outdoor time far outweigh the challenges. Getting outside for fresh air, play, and a mental reset can be invaluable. Not every moment in the classroom needs to be focused on maximizing academic productivity; supporting students’ mental and physical well-being is essential, too. Ensuring that my students can spend time outdoors during their long school day is one way I aim to look out for them.
Practical Considerations for Taking The Class Outside
Our group also discussed the practicalities of outdoor time. For example, is it reasonable to expect students to go outside for movement breaks or outdoor learning even in cold or rainy weather? We agreed that having a regular schedule for outdoor breaks can help students prepare accordingly. An idea like “Wednesday Walks” could help create a routine so students know what to expect. Also, depending on the grade level, teachers might have the flexibility to let some students stay indoors if they aren’t prepared for or comfortable with being outside.
Integrating Outdoor Learning into Lessons
Beyond “outdoor breaks,” we explored ways to integrate outdoor settings directly into our lesson plans. This way, students don’t face the added challenge of having to refocus after a break but instead can stay engaged with the material throughout their time outside. For instance, we could teach a lesson outdoors or incorporate natural materials into the activity. Another option is to give students a reflective prompt to think about during outdoor time that connects with an upcoming lesson or activity. Remembering to let students know what will happen when they return to the classroom is an important component of this.
As a side note, one takeaway from today’s lecture was the advice not to save documents as PDFs if you might need to edit them later. I had always saved my documents as PDFs, so this was a valuable tip that I’ll definitely adopt to save time in the future!