Tips & Tricks for Outdoor Learning:

Here, I share some tips and tricks I have learned along the way in my outdoor learning journey to help make outdoor learning more successful:

 

Tips & Tricks:

• Have a meeting spot:

  • This is the place you always begin and end your lessons/time outside. We use a tree and call it "The Meeting Tree." 

• Have a goal for the lesson (or don’t):

  • Outdoor learning can be as structured or unstructured as you like. For myself, I usually have a learning task that is clear. When students are done the learning task, then they can freely explore, play, or extend their learning.​

• Have parent volunteers or learning buddies (older students) join you if you need more support or don’t have an Educational Assistant:

  • The more adults, the better!​

• Start small:

  • Outdoor learning can be daunting to start, but start with small and simple tasks.

  • Get students used to being and learning outside.

  • Take the activity you were going to do inside the classroom and simply do it outside. Whatever can be done inside can almost always be done outside as well.​

  • You can start with a short lesson once a week, and work towards more and more time outside. Eventually you may work up to an hour a week or an hour a day. The amount of time you want to spend outside is up to you.

  • Any time outside is better than no time outside.

• Get outside despite the weather:

  • Experiencing all weather is important.​

• Dress appropriately:

  • Ask for donations from friends, family, and the community.​

  • Remind families of what gear is needed.

  • Reach out to your community coordinator if you have one.

  • Raid the Lost and Found before things get donated.

• Bring nature into the classroom:

  • Learn about tobacco offerings to Mother Earth.

• Be flexible and take advantage of teachable moments.

• Play with the kids, build relationships and share your love of the land and the outdoors with them.

• Know and learn about the plants in your area:

  • Get a nature/plant guide​.

• Celebrate the children's learning (no matter how big or small).

• Set a routine for outside like you would in the classroom.

• Make outdoor learning work for you, it can take time to find your niche and how to best use your outdoor space for learning.

• Documenting the learning:

  • Use notes, pictures, recordings, etc.

• Know the curriculum well:

  • This helps when planning lessons and reaching cross-curricular outcomes.​

• Keep parents up to date and share the learning documentation with families.

  • I use a digital portfolio (Edsby) and have a documentation board in our hallway.​

• Give time for students to get a drink and go to the bathroom before heading out:

  • Have students bring their water bottles out if they choose.​

• Have a call and return:

  • This makes it easy for students to ​know when to come back to your meeting spot.

• Find teachers who have similar interests:

  • There are a lot of educators who have a love of outdoor learning and play.​

  • A few favourites on Instagram that I love connecting with include: @andimitchellece, @rootsandraine, @deniellemartineau_ece, @jennifermasonece, @mamatearzah, and @couleecritters. I am @LattesLashesandLearning on Instagram.

• Apply for grants

  • So far I have only applied for one grant from Sask Outdoors, and received it!! I have heard there are many grants that go unclaimed/unused every year. ​

  • Research grant opportunities that would apply for you.

• Invest in a wagon and stock it with supplies (see visual below).

• Bulk rain ponchos can be purchased online for reasonable prices if you live in a rainy region.

• Note: Since creating this visual, I would add nature guides, scissors, rope, tarps, tools, a whistle, toilet paper, spare clothes, and documentation tools such as cameras, phone, or iPads to your collection of outdoor learning supplies.