Do you remember sitting in a classroom on a lovely spring day and wishing you could be outside? Your students have the same wish. Use the weather as an opportunity to take your teaching and learning outside!
Before venturing out to learn out of doors, we recommend setting and reviewing behavior expectations. Students are generally motivated to go outside and enjoy the change of pace, therefore they are often motivated to be on their best behavior so they can have this special privilege. Remind them that if they follow the rules, they get to stay outside, but if they don’t, they will have to return to the classroom.
Once behavior expectations are set, you are ready to get some fresh air. Here are our suggestions for some fun learning activities you can do outside:
Read aloud
What could be better than hearing your teacher read from a favorite book or the next chapter of a novel while sitting in the sun or under a tree?
Silent Reading
Likewise, silent reading is a natural fit for the outside. Who doesn’t love to read when surrounded by the sun and the sounds of nature? If your students haven’t discovered this joy, be the one to introduce them to its charms.
Read to a partner.
Many reading programs have a read to a partner element. This can be an effective way to combine learning and fun when you do it outside.
Chalk activities
Give sidewalk chalk a workout. Have students practice spelling words, write sight words, do math problems or draw maps!
White board work
If you have individual white boards, anything you have students do with them in the classroom can easily be done outside of the classroom.
Act out vocabulary
Put students in small groups to act out vocabulary words from any content area. This is fun and helps them use words in different contexts so they don’t just memorize words, they understand how to use them.
Student skits
Students love to apply their learning by creating skits. They can act out sections of a novel, scientific processes, or events in history. They can use emerging second language skills to recreate a television show. Skits are a great way to review content and apply the information they have been learning.
Readers Theatre
Students of all ages like Readers Theatre. The limited space in classrooms often makes this challenging and being outdoors opens up the space for students to work. Whether you give students scripts or have them write their own, RT is an engaging activity that develops many skills. Read more about using RT here.
Nature study
This one seems obvious, but what better place to study nature than in nature? Let students observe the natural world, record observations and discuss their findings.
These are just a few of the many possible activities that can work well outside. If you haven’t ventured out, what are you waiting for?
Here are some related posts that you might like:
How to Engage Students the Week Before Break
Actively Engage Students As the School Year Ends
Spring Fever? Take Students Outside
How to Stay Motivated for the Last Days of School
5 things Teachers Should Do Before the School Year Ends
4 Great Active Learning Strategies for all Content Areas
We hope you enjoy your spring and create an opportunity for teaching and learning outside,
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