May 17, 2018
What is Outdoor Classroom Day?
Outdoor Classroom Day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire outdoor learning and play. On the day, thousands of schools around the world take lessons outdoors. In 2017, over 2 million children in over 100 countries took part. (from https://outdoorclassroomday.com)
Why Outdoor Classroom Day?
Children in some school districts have less time outside as time for recess has been cut back in order to spend more time on academics even though we know that recess and outdoor time is important for physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Outdoor learning increases engagement, reduces inappropriate behaviour and allows students to engage in meaningful, relevant, purposeful active learning.
Outdoor learning boosts student and teacher well-being
Outdoor learning boosts children's development - a BBC article
Importance of outdoor education in adolescence
Children Using Nature for Self-Regulation in Urban Environments
A Research-Based Case for Recess
The Death of Recess in America
Almost Half of Preschool Children do not Play Outside Each Day
Last Child In The Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
Resources
Resources from the Outdoor Classroom Day website which can be sorted by age group and subject area
Natural Curiosity: Building Children's Understanding of the World Through Environmental Inquiry - a free downloadable book for Kindergarten to Grade 6
Ready Set Wonder: Nature Prompts for the Early Learning and Child Care Educators - a free downloadable book from the Back to Nature Network
(also available in French at http://www.back2nature.ca/readysetwonder-version-francais-de-attention-prets-a-lemerveillement/)
Into Nature: A guide to teaching in nearby nature - a free downloadable book with lesson ideas for students in kindergarten to grade 6 from Back to Nature Network
(also available in French at http://www.back2nature.ca/teachers-guide-into-nature-french/)
101 Nature Study Ideas
25 Mighty Girl Books about outdoor discovery
9 books that will inspire your little animal to get out of the house and into nature
7 books to inspire nature play
What are your favourite resources or activities for outdoor learning? What will you and your students be doing on Outdoor Classroom Day?
