Considerations for Outdoor Learning

It would be helpful to think through the following considerations and questions and share clear expectations with your students prior to going outside. You may have already established these protocols with your class, but it would be beneficial to review them again before taking learning outdoors.

Identify/review clear student behavior expectations and share these with your students prior to going outside.

• As you prepare your students for their outside classroom experience, discuss clear behavioral and academic expectations. Be sure to reinforce with students that you have similar behavioral expectations in the outdoor classroom as your indoor classroom and that these outdoor learning opportunities are different from their freeplay/playground time.
• Review with your students your class commitments to be respectful of: each other, the plants and animals in their schoolyard, their schoolyard facilities, and other classes.
• Remind students that by honoring our commitments, these outdoor learning privileges can persist across the school year.
• Share with students the consequences if students do not follow your behavior expectations/commitments.
• Be sure to have a back up plan communicated with your administrator or other teachers if behavioral issues arise.
• To reinforce how to be respectful of other classes, share with students the appropriate voice level outside.
• Share your expectations for Leave No Trace (respect schoolyard plants and wildlife, leave no trash).

Determine the boundaries to prevent students wandering too far from the group. (consider tree lines, sidewalks, buildings)

• Identify your school ground activity site boundaries in advance and share the boundary expectations with students.

What are your plans for inclement weather?

• What instructions do you need to send home to ensure that students are dressed appropriately for the weather?
• It is helpful to collect clothing donations or gather a thrift store collection of “extra emergency clothes/jackets” in case students need more layers for warmth.

Be sure to always carry a first aid kit and be prepared for the unexpected.

• Do you have students with allergies? Be sure to share with parents your plans for outdoor learning.
• How will you communicate with the office in case of an emergency (e.g. with a student or within the building [lockdown])?
• What will your procedures be with students in case of an emergency? Be sure you share these with students.
• Be sure to plan for bathroom opportunities prior to going outside and have a plan for emergency bathroom needs.

What tools will your students need? (clipboards, extra pencils, etc.).

• If using devices to record data/photograph insects, it is important to model the appropriate use of devices while outside.
• Establish a routine for students to be sure they have all items prior to going outside. How will they carry these items with them?

Share with your students the class “call” or “signal” that will be used to bring the group back together or get students’ attention.

• You may want this signal to be different from your usual recess signal in order to further distinguish the time outdoors from free play time.