Take it Outside!
May 29, 2023
Outdoor learning ideas
May – the end is near and everyone inside and outside of the building can feel the change of energy. One of the best strategies to help make it to the final day is to embrace nature and the opportunity it brings with it. Here are a few ideas to get your students outside.
Keeping it Simple:
- Play a cooperative game to get everyone moving and burn off some of that energy.
- Here is a great resource: https://kidactivities.net/41-fun-cooperative-games-for-kids/ (choose a game that works best for your age and class dynamics!)
- Read outside – either a read aloud or silent read- take a moment to embrace nature.
- Take a moment to center everyone- stretch, breathe and try some yoga poses inspired by nature.
- Sound maps – have everyone go outside with a piece of paper and a writing utensil and take a comfortable seat. Eyes open or closed hearing sounds students write words or draw pictures to represent the sounds they hear on the paper to map each out.
- Share the maps afterwards- see what similar sounds students heard.
- Walk around the playground.
- Double this up with a community clean up
- Sketch something inspired by nature or outdoors.
- Or use playground as a texture collector and collect crayon rubbings.
A little more organization and thought (including potentially field trip forms if leaving premises, printing, and supplies):
- Go on a scavenger hunt.
- You can create your own sheet bingo style or create one as a class.
- You can challenge students or partners to find a list of items that start with a to z
- Connect it with your curriculum (science is a great place to look!) and see if students can find examples of something that connects with a unit of study ideas include:
- Kindergarten - trees – find different kinds of leaves
- Grade 1 – living things – different types of plants and animals
- Grade 2 – air and water – find different types of water in the environment
- Grade 3 - plants - different types of plants
- Grade 4 - habitats - different habitats
- Grade 6 - biodiversity of living things - categorize biotic examples.
- Grade 7 - Earth’s crust - look for signs of erosion and weathering or different uses of rocks.
- Do a playground or community audit.
- Audits can consider various angles including accessibility.
- Here is an example of an age friendly audit to consider senior citizens:
- Get to know the community and do a walk highlighting important stops along the way
- Have a field day, Survivor, or Amazing Race style day
- Have students create a STEAM challenge
- Here is a fun idea that works- https://www.homesciencetools.com/article/how-to-build-a-solar-oven-project/
- Enjoy a field trip to one of the great opportunities Manitoba has to offer!
- Fort Whyte
- Oak Hammock Marsh
- The Forks
- The Assiniboine Park Zoo
- One of Manitoba's many farms, such as https://www.morningsoundfarm.com
This summer get out and explore all the amazing things Manitoba has to offer and take time for nature to help recharge your own batteries.
