The end of the Easter break, the sun is out and even though Outdoor Learning can and does take place all year round, whatever the weather, this is the time when the more reluctant teacher ventures out of the classroom.
I’ve been there, we all have.
When the sun shines everyone is more inclined to go outside. It is natural. I like to try and do it in cold, wind, snow, rain, fog - every weather type has its benefits and challenges and they each lend themselves to different learning experiences... be it writing letters home from the trenches with freezing fingers leaning on wet grass or if you are lucky, a friend's back. You might be surveying minibeasts and sampling different plant types on the field in light drizzle or building grass igloos in the bright summer sun!
The summer term is a term that comes with many pressures on top of those that come as standard. Testing and the Leavers' Show (Y6 teachers, you know it, right?) are just two, Y6 Prom (if you are that way inclined), residential trips (though not always). Summer is busy!
This post was inspired by a colleague who asked me what basic resources I thought should be on hand for use outside.
Good question.
They wanted simple ideas to build on what they had already and so they could start collecting.
I went away and had a think...
This is a list of the resources I think are the easy difference makers.
They are all easy to find and source. They are relatively Low cost and High Impact.
I wanted to include items on the list that could easily be used with children of any age (EYFS to KS2), for a diverse variety of learning experiences in different curriculum areas.
It is not a perfect or complete list. I would encourage reflection and discussion.
I wanted to do a Top 10, but ended up with a top 27, I pared down and combined and ended up settling myself on a Top 12. Close enough!
I selected each item because they have a variety of uses and applications.
Use your imagination.
I am simply not going to patronise anyone reading with a suggestion list.
I’ve been there, we all have.
When the sun shines everyone is more inclined to go outside. It is natural. I like to try and do it in cold, wind, snow, rain, fog - every weather type has its benefits and challenges and they each lend themselves to different learning experiences... be it writing letters home from the trenches with freezing fingers leaning on wet grass or if you are lucky, a friend's back. You might be surveying minibeasts and sampling different plant types on the field in light drizzle or building grass igloos in the bright summer sun!
The summer term is a term that comes with many pressures on top of those that come as standard. Testing and the Leavers' Show (Y6 teachers, you know it, right?) are just two, Y6 Prom (if you are that way inclined), residential trips (though not always). Summer is busy!
This post was inspired by a colleague who asked me what basic resources I thought should be on hand for use outside.
Good question.
They wanted simple ideas to build on what they had already and so they could start collecting.
I went away and had a think...
This is a list of the resources I think are the easy difference makers.
They are all easy to find and source. They are relatively Low cost and High Impact.
I wanted to include items on the list that could easily be used with children of any age (EYFS to KS2), for a diverse variety of learning experiences in different curriculum areas.
It is not a perfect or complete list. I would encourage reflection and discussion.
I wanted to do a Top 10, but ended up with a top 27, I pared down and combined and ended up settling myself on a Top 12. Close enough!
I selected each item because they have a variety of uses and applications.
Use your imagination.
I am simply not going to patronise anyone reading with a suggestion list.
After I first published this list on my website I recieved feedback - I was glad of it.@SollyKathryn suggested:
Tarpaulin to make a shelter or den or to sit on, Gutters and pipe, Water carrier, Light weight short ladder, fir cones, conkers, leaves etc.
I couldn't agree more - most were on my long list, but were combined or switched in favour of others.
I also had a long Learning Outside the Classroom brainstorm session via Twitter with@MissSMerrill, it was the sort of chat I need to go back and read again - Everything from Making Charcoal, books and growing plants to make dyes... Great stuff.
If you can do it inside, you can probably do it outside too... Bring the Outside In.
Tarpaulin to make a shelter or den or to sit on, Gutters and pipe, Water carrier, Light weight short ladder, fir cones, conkers, leaves etc.
I couldn't agree more - most were on my long list, but were combined or switched in favour of others.
I also had a long Learning Outside the Classroom brainstorm session via Twitter with@MissSMerrill, it was the sort of chat I need to go back and read again - Everything from Making Charcoal, books and growing plants to make dyes... Great stuff.
If you can do it inside, you can probably do it outside too... Bring the Outside In.
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