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Welcome to Teaching in the Dirt: Designing Outdoor Classrooms 3
A Welcome Message For You
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Online Classroom 01 minLecture1.1
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Welcome Center 30 minLecture1.2
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How this Master Class Works 30 minLecture1.3
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Module 1: Getting Started 5
Getting Started
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1-0 Welcome to Module One: Getting Started 01 minLecture2.1
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1-1: Understanding Your Purpose 01 minLecture2.2
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1-2: Six Foundation Projects 01 minLecture2.3
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1-3: Gain Clarity with Five Lessons 01 minLecture2.4
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Seeds of Inspiration: Christ Church Parish Day School Interview 01 minLecture2.5
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Module 2: Design Options 5
Design Options
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2-0: Welcome to Module 2 01 minLecture3.1
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2-1: Ten Basic Garden Design Elements 01 minLecture3.2
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2-2: Theme Gardens as Learning Stations 01 minLecture3.3
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Seeds of Inspiration: First Parish Day School Outdoor Classroom Case Tour 01 minLecture3.4
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2-3: Turn Challenges into Possibilities 01 minLecture3.5
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Module 3: Sustainability 7
Sustainability
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3-0: Welcome to Module Three 01 minLecture4.1
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3-1: Behind the Scenes 01 minLecture4.2
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Seeds of Inspiration: Chenery Middle School Interview with Phyl Solomon 01 minLecture4.3
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3-2: Create a Master Plan 01 minLecture4.4
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Seeds of Inspiration: Chenery Middle School Courtyard Garden Tour 01 minLecture4.5
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3-3: Certify Your Wildlife Habitat 01 minLecture4.6
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3-4: CONGRATULATIONS! What next?Lecture4.7
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19 Comments
This video once again gave me a lot of great ideas. I like the signs especially as I feel one thing that our space lacks now is definition. Everything is sort of open and I would love to be able to carve out spaces. Most of the children who will be using this area will be too young to read so I will have to get creative with some visual signs. ]
From the little we have already started to incorporate it is really cool to see how the children respond to the materials. We have time on a more traditional playground area with a climber before we go to the nature area. On the playground area they run around aimlessly and there are usually many disputes between children and much more having to tell them “no.” In the nature area they all naturally fall into things to do in small groups and play together so much better. I rarely have to tell them no because they are able to use their creativity without it being a dangerous choice. I love to see ho a child can go from running, yelling and annoying all of their friends to buys and engaged just by changing the location. I am excited to build this out even more.
Music to my ears…exactly what nature areas are to do…magically tap into children’s creativity. Love your reflections.
We are adding a ‘Treasure Box’ element. The box is a mailbox we painted a bright green and added ladybugs, flowers, and butterflies to. The idea is that anyone finding a ‘treasure’ in nature can place it in the box for others to discover and enjoy!!
LOVE THIS! Just made my day! Thanks for sharing.
I loved the video and wished I could go on some field trips to see different outdoor classrooms, but with Co-Vid, I’m afraid this isn’t possible. Are there any books you would recommend that include lots of pictures of outdoor classrooms? As our school is just getting started, I wondered if there were also suggestions for older students. We are a preschool-eighth grade school in connecticut. Thank you so much for any help you can offer!
Yes…I am working on a project to offer a closer look at different programs.
Wow! I have a much better appreciation/understanding of the four types of gardens. I initially thought that you chose one kind of garden to implement, but after seeing how you used The Tiny Seed and provided activities for each of the 4 types of gardens I’m just amazed at the possibilities!
Yea!!!
Thank you for outlining 4 different types of gardens. Over the last couple of years I have seen many, many vegetable gardens or proposed vegetable gardens with school districts in my area. I always like to encourage them to think outside the box and to have to several different types or a combination of a few different types of gardens.
Yes…I always think folks get stuck on Edible gardens and if they can’t do that, then they can’t have an Outdoor Classroom. So far from the truth. There is an abundance of options!!
I liked how you defined the 4 types of different gardens. I think the Art and Beauty garden could include a place for meditation as well. I think sometimes when schools think school garden – many think vegetables and be overwhelmed. But there are different types of gardens – the whole idea I think is to get kids outdoors and connect back to the earth. Love the curriculum on the go kits – I have done something similar with my son when we go on hikes but never thought to make it more curriculum or themed tied to a book to include more literacy.
Love the quote,” Tell me I forget, teach ne I may remember, Involve me and I learn” by Ben Franklin.
,Children learn in different ways visually ,hearing and hands on. The outdoor classroom premotes of all these learning styles
Yes, one of my favorites quotes too. It’s important for a teacher to teach in different ways and I believe the outdoor classroom allows us to do this.
You shared many of these at the SEEPP conference last weekend and I felt as if my educators and I could not write them down fast enough! So many great ideas – I love the Wonder Boxes, the Mud Kitchen, the Water Wall (and we thought of a sand wall….) – we are already planning them for our playground at the current site and will be creating them up the hill at The Cooperative Nature School come this summer. The teachers were excited about these ideas.
We have had a Little Free Library for years at the current site – it is a great literacy exchange between families and the school. It gets a lot of action with many families taking and leaving books every day as they leave school.
You are on your way! I love that you have experienced the magic of Little Free Libraries. Make sure you take before and after pictures! You will love it and will be amazed when you look back. Love your energy and enthusiasm.
After watching this video, I went for a walk in my backyard, in deep snow! I wanted to measure the space behind my pool fence and the little forest we have in the back. I have an area that is 40 feet long by 12 feet wide. What I have in mind so far is the following:
– I would love to have a suspended herb garden on my fence. I’m thinking of hanging baskets, not to high so my daughter would have full access but I’m thinking vertically so I can maximize my space.
– I also picture a small bird sanctuary at the entrance of our little forest. I love the picture you posted in the video of just posts with little bird houses and/or bird feeders attached to them.
– On the ground, I would love to have 6 flower beds and keeping in mind the 4 types of gardens, I could have 4 beds of veggies/fruits and on each sides, a flower bed that attracts wild life like butterflies with beautiful flowers.
– I’ve also been wanting to create a mud kitchen for my daughter for a while now so I’m thinking that just behind our shed, I could build a little structure that she could use to get messy!
– Finally, I also see a bench to read and a few logs to sit and/or play.
I will go take some picture when there’s a bit less snow and also and I am planning to take an hour tomorrow evening to sketch out my ideas so I can take a picture of that as well and post it here as soon as it’s finished!
I was wondering if there was a way I could get the “Take action worksheets” in Word format instead of PDF since I would love to be able to simply download them and add to them directly. This is just a suggestion 🙂
Fabulous ideas! I can’t wait to see the pictures! I think you should take a picture of yourself measuring your yard in the snow. 🙂
Haha great idea ! As soon as my hubby gets home, we’ll do that 😛
You will look back and laugh! Make sure you send me a copy! I would love to see. 🙂