Top 5 Ideas for Outdoor Learning
As the weather starts to heat up and the temperature in the classroom rises, thoughts often turn to learning outdoors. Most schools will have some form of outdoor space, mainly a playground; if you are not in a built up area then you may have a field or something similar. Outdoor learning is a fantastic way for children to interact with nature, get some fresh air and vary their studies at the end of a long, academic year.
Outdoor learning does require planning and preparation beforehand. Taking a group of children outside the confines of the classroom can result in not many learning objectives being achieved; therefore, a structured activity with resources is needed to ensure children get the most out of the experience and teachers are willing to step outside again!
Here are 5 ideas for lessons or activities that work well outside and ensure engagement and fun is had by all learners.
Rocket Building
This is a great activity for Year 6 after the SATs- it encourages teamwork, hits Science objectives and involves water to cool everyone down on a hot day! The rocket itself can be made in the classroom- it is the launching that involves a larger space. Children need to bring in an empty plastic bottle; they then design their rocket using paper or card to make it aerodynamic. The rockets are then filled with water, pumped up and released into the air! The best scenario is that the rocket flies through the air with the greatest of ease. The other scenario is that everyone gets wet- not the worst idea if it is a hot day! Children can measure the distances and then make improvements on their design, thinking about the aerodynamics and how to achieve the biggest distance.
A Hotel for Bugs
Children in KS1 will love the idea of making a hotel that caters for insects, linking to their science curriculum. This can be done on a small or large scale, depending on resources. For example, every child could have a small plant pot that they fill with stones, twigs and leaves- anything that can be collected from around the school. Children then decide where to position their mini hotel for bugs- does it need shade? A water source? They can then observe what happens over the week. From this, lots of other activities can arise, for example sketching the bugs found or conducting an experiment where children try different locations to see which one contains the most insects.
Toilet Roll Timeline
Another activity that requires more space than a classroom can give is creating a timeline using toilet roll. This can be used to demonstrate many things, from the distance between the planets to helping children understand how long humans have been in existence. Using the playground, children can stand at various points on the timeline to signify key events or distances. Getting children up and moving helps them to understand time as a concept- often a tricky thing to get their heads around! If the weather turns inclement, the school hall can also be used, but it is much more exciting to be out in the fresh air! Bring a camera to take photos and you have a ready-made display for the classroom.
Writing Inspiration
Children often find writing easier when it is something they have experienced themselves. Creating a scenario for children to explore and investigate often leads to creative and inspirational writing. For example, you could create footprints (or pawprints) around the playground before the children arrive; as they start to come in, conversation will start to flow about what has happened. Your class could then follow the footprints until they find the cause-perhaps it is an escaped animal from a cage or a giant nest where a monster has been living? Once back in the classroom, encourage children to put pen to paper immediately- what did they think they would find? What did it look like? How did they feel? This activity could be the launch for a new topic or the introduction to a class novel- the possibilities are endless!
Rounders Every Time!
When it is a sunny afternoon and you just need to take your class outside to release some energy, there is nothing better than a game of rounders to cheer everyone up! Rounders is a fantastic sport for including everyone, whether you are batting, bowling or fielding. There is not much set up needed and rules can be decided as you go along. Equipment is minimal, the bare minimum being a ball and bat. Children can keep score and practise using stopwatches, as well as focusing on teamwork and encouraging everyone to do their best. What better way to enjoy a sunny afternoon at the end of term?
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