Outdoor learning

As you might have figured out, I am a strong believer in the benefit of the outdoors as a place for learning and exploration for young students. I try to take our class outdoors as often as possible, while still adhering to the curriculum standards of the kindergarten year. I've noticed over the years that being outside in nature tends to energize students to learn and explore more than some might in the classroom, and also allows for gross motor and fine motor skill development, as well as a connection to the natural world. Below are some ways we've connected to the outdoors lately!

Garden Time
We're lucky to have a beautiful garden and front yard play area at our school, and several dedicated parents who serve as our "garden liaisons." Before the weather got too cold, we were trying to go to the garden on a weekly basis. Below are some activities that we did while we were in the garden.

Will it sink or float?

Shredding paper for the compost

Sidewalk chalk

Looking for insects

Watering the plants and harvesting some vegetables

Playing in the digging pit

Making wind testers

Blowing bubbles on a windy day

Making streamers fly in the wind

Forest Friday

We also have a time called Forest Friday every week (unless it's very cold or rainy outside). This week we read the book Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert, went on a leaf walk through the schoolyard and the mini forest, and then came back to make leaf art like in the book we read!