• Home
  • About
  • Classes
    • Master Classes
    • Online Workshops
    • FAQ
  • Online Workshops
    • Get Started
    • Design
    • Curriculum
    • FAQ
  • Trainings
  • Shop
  • Blog
Have a Question? Contact Victoria
info@outdoor-classrooms.com
Login
No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

Login with your site account

No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

Lost your password?

          |   Cart   |   My Account |  
Outdoor ClassroomsOutdoor Classrooms
  • Home
  • About
  • Classes
    • Master Classes
    • Online Workshops
    • FAQ
  • Online Workshops
    • Get Started
    • Design
    • Curriculum
    • FAQ
  • Trainings
  • Shop
  • Blog

All Online Classes

CoursesMaster ClassesExploring Nature in Winter Master Class
  • INTRODUCTION: LET'S GET STARTED! 5

    Exploring Nature in Winter e-Workshop

    • Lecture1.1
      0-1: Welcome! Important Things to Know
    • Lecture1.2
      0-2: A Note From Victoria 30 min
    • Lecture1.3
      0-3: Key Reflective Questions 30 min
    • Lecture1.4
      0-4: Set Goals for You and Your Winter Program 30 min
    • Lecture1.5
      0-5: Become a “Winterscape” Researcher
  • Module 1: PREPARE & PLAN TO TEACH OUTDOORS IN WINTER 6

    10 Nature-Based Activities

    • Lecture2.1
      1-1: Begin with Proper Outer Gear 30 min
    • Lecture2.2
      1-2: Discover Your Winter Teaching Routines Outdoors 30 min
    • Lecture2.3
      1-3: Make a Winter Garden Journal 30 min
    • Lecture2.4
      1-4: Create a Winter Themed Children’s Library 30 min
    • Lecture2.5
      1-5: Enjoy Wet Cold Weather Outdoors
    • Lecture2.6
      1-6: LIVE SESSION: Natural Learning Outdoors in Winter
  • Module 2: WINTER INSPIRED TEACHING AND LEARNING 6

    10 Nature-Based Activities

    • Lecture3.1
      2-1: Transform Your Cold Weather Outdoor Classroom 30 min
    • Lecture3.2
      2-2: Let’s Play! 10 Nature-Based Winter Activities 30 min
    • Lecture3.3
      2-3: Behind the Scenes with Nicole Pelletier 30 min
    • Lecture3.4
      2-4: LIVE SESSIONS 30 min
    • Lecture3.5
      2-5: Inspire Outdoor Play & Learning in Winter
    • Lecture3.6
      2-6: Explore The Four Types of Gardens in Winter
  • Module 3: YOUR COLD WEATHER OUTDOOR CLASSROOM 6

    Winter Themed Children's Books

    • Lecture4.1
      3-1: Explore Water Research in Cold Weather 30 min
    • Lecture4.2
      3-2: Let’s Play! Ten Nature-Based Winter Activities 30 min
    • Lecture4.3
      3-3: Behind the Scenes with Peter Dargatz 30 min
    • Lecture4.4
      3-4: Establish “Moments of Science” in Winter 30 min
    • Lecture4.5
      3-5: Stay Outside Longer
    • Lecture4.6
      3-6: LIVE SESSION
  • Module 4: COLLABORATION & EMERGENT WINTER CURRICULA 6

    • Lecture5.1
      4-1: Learn through Reflection 30 min
    • Lecture5.2
      4-2: Let’s Play! Ten Nature-Based Winter Activities 30 min
    • Lecture5.3
      4-3: Build Collaboration Skills 30 min
    • Lecture5.4
      4-4: LIVE SESSION 30 min
    • Lecture5.5
      4-5: Emergent Curriculum with Megan Gessler
    • Lecture5.6
      BONUS: LIVE SESSION for Graduates
    This content is protected, please login and enroll course to view this content!
    Prev 1-6: LIVE SESSION: Natural Learning Outdoors in Winter
    Next 2-2: Let’s Play! 10 Nature-Based Winter Activities

      29 Comments

    1. Lisa Fluharty
      February 24, 2021
      Log in to Reply

      Having an outdoor space with defined areas (art, sensory, etc.) is a dream! One idea that would be a long-range goal for my classrooms would be an Art Area. I’d like to work with the teachers to figure out how they would build it up slowly and meaningfully with different activities and options for the children – so it can be child-led.
      A shorter-ranged goal would be a sensory table. In my classroom, we had used cement mixing tubs as additional sensory bins – this might be great to keep the “social-distancing” mandate – two kiddos at a tub?
      A goal I worked towards today was getting the children interested in tracking! As I was rolling snowman snowballs with children, we noticed different boot prints in the snow and the children automatically tried to match child/boot! I would move this discussion into animal tracks found on the playground. There’s probably an app for that!

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 26, 2021
        Log in to Reply

        I love this…especially how one idea leads to the next. Awesome!

    2. Robin Braden
      February 22, 2021
      Log in to Reply

      In the winter I struggle with the amount of snow that we get on our playground. It buries everything and things that I put out disappear in the snow not to be seen until Spring. It is like Christmas time when the snow begins to melt but at this time we spend a lot of time looking for things that have been swallowed up. I do a lot of pre planned science experiments so I loved the idea of an Inspired Writing Area in the snow! Posing a question on a stick with words on leaves is genius! We do section off an area and hide large plastic letters as well as Ice “Treasures” to dig for.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 22, 2021
        Log in to Reply

        wonderful!! Christmas in Sprng! hahaha. Can’t wait to see what you do with the Inspired Writing Area. Let us know.

    3. jasmithwb
      February 11, 2020
      Log in to Reply

      Our group has eased into a daily routine for outdoor adventures. Our older children get themselves geared up for a walk in the woods while the younger children are finishing snack…then they go out. We all meet up in the outdoor classroom for fun and exploration. This winter has had been fairly mild which has made it easier for the children to enjoy the various activities and materials available to them. For the most part, the mud kitchen, with its endless supply of mud, has been the favorite!

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 12, 2020
        Log in to Reply

        Love this!

    4. amandaandersonxoxo
      August 12, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      We utilize a lot of the woods around our school where the children have oftentimes already created ‘forts’ previously in the school year. Watching them alter their play in these areas in the winter months is so much fun. The woods also offers a lot of great natural and organic exploration into animals with tracking, bird watching etc – we are near a river and have wonderful wildlife. We love to boot skate and slide. I LOVED the ‘wonder box’ ideas and can’t wait to create some of those for our playground. I think its such a fantastic jumping off point and invitation to explore further. Another goal of mine is to also think about how we can slightly alter our sand box during the winter months so it’s used more often. Once the sand is frozen the kiddos tend to lose interest and I’m excited to challenge my thinking and come up with other ideas for that space.

      • Victoria Hackett
        August 12, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        I love this reflection and how you are challenging yourself and setting goals. Wonderful to think of how you can alter existing spaces during different months. Awesome job!

    5. jcourtemanche129
      March 4, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I have many areas indoors and out that have loose nature items within. The challenge is thinking of new ways and ideas for their use. I know this class will help with that. I really haven’t put anything into the block area yet so that is a place I can focus on. Also I struggle to manage loose parts outside and haven’t found a way to best store them that fits our schedule, space, and structure of outdoor play time.

      • Victoria Hackett
        March 4, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        Have you thought of using milk crates to store loose parts? You can add laminated pictures and words to label them–so kids can “put them away when done. The beauty of natures loose parts is that if they are left outdoors–it feels ok and natural.

    6. dritz319
      February 27, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I loved the idea of the Natural Art ice garland. We are freezing grass seed in ice and will try the garland to drape on the trees.
      We are still using shaped ice also through the end of the month, and the children are always curious to see what shapes will be there.
      The ice “hunt” is always going on.

    7. dritz319
      February 27, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I love having an Outdoor Classroom at our school because we have so many areas that can be invitations to learn.
      Our Mud kitchen has changed in that there is less to “stir in” because it is mostly frozen to the ground.
      The children are being creative coming up with ideas. We have a gathering area of split logs that nestles in the edge of the woods.
      The Teacher presents information to the group here, and then they are off to learn ! Looking for tracks and signs of animals in Nature is always a it. They love the Fairy Garden, and I loved the picture you showed of the stump. That solves our stump problem!!! I agree, Weezie’s Garden is a must see. You see something new every time you go! It is absolutely spectacular there.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 27, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        Love!

    8. Johanna Jensen
      February 19, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I am inspired with adding more options and changing them out. I want to make a more intimate gathering space, right now we have a large auditorium style seating. I want to make one with stumps out by our forest. I would also like to see a weather station in our play yard and an art area. I don’t know what that looks like yet but I am excited to bring some of these ideas back to our team to brainstorm! There is so much to do and so little time.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 19, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        I can hear the bubbling of ideas happening! Yea YOU! Can’t wait to see how all this comes to be.

    9. jmcginn
      February 14, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I like the idea of putting things out on a table/ground – no explanation necessary- but an invitation to explore. As a facilitator of the experience, it is sometimes difficult to step back and let the children get into it and play and explore, and I try not to intervene with directions but instead watch and see what unfolds. Sometimes I find this challenging and I want to try to take a step back and let the children construct their own unique experience. The outdoor classroom certainly lends itself to that kind of experience – plenty of space, lots a materials, and loose parts.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 14, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        As I was reading your post, I could feel as if there was a breath that offered more spaciousness is child’s play. Thank you for sharing.

    10. klewis
      February 13, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      such great ideas here! I really love the image of the stick with all the words written on leaves around it. I imagine that was a beautiful conversation leading up to that image! something I will definitely aim to try.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 13, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        Ahhh….I never thought of what the conversation might have been leading up to this activity. Beautiful!

      • Johanna Jensen
        February 19, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        I also liked the stick with the leaves. I am thinking I might do this with words and pictures. What inspiration!

        • Victoria Hackett
          February 19, 2019
          Log in to Reply

          Seeds of Inspiration…one idea leads to the next. Have fun!

    11. kcullen
      February 13, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I love all the curiosity questions! They have me thinking! I love the wonder box idea, I am going to try it! And I love the story line idea as well, a new way to add literacy to the play space. Thank you!

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 13, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        TERRIFIC!!! You are on your way!

    12. michalchava
      February 11, 2019
      Log in to Reply

      I LOVE the Wonder box!!! What a great idea to set up. I’m looking forward to sharing/posting a peek at our own little outdoor space on the Facebook group later.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 11, 2019
        Log in to Reply

        Such a simple idea too! 🙂

    13. calamityjayne85
      January 31, 2018
      Log in to Reply

      I am going to do the glove gardens and the mandalas for sure might be fun to use nuts and berries and watch from our classroom to see what eats the mandala.

      • Victoria Hackett
        February 1, 2018
        Log in to Reply

        The Glove Garden is another favorite. Take pictures of the process as you will be amazed! I love the idea of adding nuts and berries to your outdoor Mandala. Another project where you can use photography–maybe even project your findings (picture journal) onto the wall indoors–if you have some sort of projector. I love how one idea can plant seeds for so many more ideas. Have fun with this one.

    14. momburd54
      January 4, 2018
      Log in to Reply

      We’ve done the story stones with A Very Hungry Caterpillar also but her’s are beautiful. We do not have lots of room I love so the children would love bringing a branch in and putting birds nests in it and all the fabulous ideas for sticks!

      • Victoria Hackett
        January 4, 2018
        Log in to Reply

        Branches are a wonderful addition to any classroom. There are so many different activities you can draw from. I have included branches in many art shows. Also can keep the branch throughout the seasons and hang seasonal art. Love how your ideas are spinning on this snowy day! Keep up the great work and make sure you write down all these fabulous ideas so you have them. 🙂

    Leave A Reply Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Copyright © Outdoor Classrooms - All Rights Reserved

                    
    • FAQ
    • Terms
    • Policies
    No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

    Login with your site account

    No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

    Lost your password?

    Modal title

    Message modal