Using the Outdoor Classroom

Hoping to use the "outdoor classroom" more with your students? Below are some tips for starting out, including guidance on beginner nature observations and suggestions for teaching outdoors.

Tips for Nature Observation

Carefully Consider the Obvious
We often make instant assumptions about something we see without realizing it. This means slowing down and looking closer is extremely important. Have students note the relative position, size, shape and height of characteristics (and color too, but be cautious with this) How many legs does an invertebrate have? What are its wings like? Is the body symmetrical? How so? In what way do a leaf’s veins form a pattern or splits from the branch? How big is a birds beak relative to the size of its head? What is the overall shape of the body?

Use Your Senses
When it is safe to do so, go notice more than what something looks like. Have students consider how a specimen sounds or what it smells and feels like (these last two tips are more applicable to plants than animals—but in some instances can be used in both)!

Think About Context
An animal or plant is closely connected to its environment. Note where an organism is found —broadly (e.g. Coastal Sage Scrub, Santa Monica Mountains) and specifically (e.g. under a rock in an area with full sun). What time of day or year is it? What is the weather like? There can be two nearly identical seeming animals are easiest to identify by their habitat or behavior, not how they look.

Note the Action
Take the time to consider behavior—it might not be possible to know exactly what an animal or plant is doing, but note how or where it is moving and how it sounds. A lack of activity is important to note as well, so there is always something to describe. In a plants case, notice where it growing or blooming in relation to other plants around it.

Record, Record, Record!
Jot down what is noticed — draw a picture, write key words, sketch the habitat, whatever helps jog the ol’ memory back at home or the classroom. Keeping record of observations will not only help students recall what was noticed, but will also help them begin to notice more in the future. Photos are great, but are not as good as your own eyes, ears and nose!

Tips for Teaching Outside

• Dress for success. Remind students to wear appropriate clothes for the experience. It can be helpful to keep a classroom set of sunscreen, hats and water bottles; essential items for even 15-30 minutes outdoors.
• Review expectations inside. Go over behavioral expectations and learning expectations inside so students know what is expected of them before it is too exciting to listen.
• Choose and practice call and response. Choose a simple phrase you can yell loud and clear that means ‘come to attention’. This is useful when you need to stop and do a head-count or give instruction mid-activity.
• Bathrooms. Like a long bus ride, go before you go. Outline bathroom conditions at the site you are going to so students know what to expect.
• Be the most uncomfortable. Put yourself in the sunniest, windiest wettest spot so that students can focus on you, not their discomfort. It’s hard to pay attention with sun directly in your face!
• Be seen and heard. Find space big enough for the whole group to stand or sit in a circle or use a hill as a natural amphitheater. Keep in mind, comfort trumps perfect group space.
• Set clear spatial boundaries. Verbalize visible boundaries for students during activities, choose an area you are comfortable yelling or moving across quickly.
• Acknowledge emotional needs. Many people are not comfortable outside for a number of personal reasons, value and respect both the positive and negative responses to being outside.
• Transfer and debrief. Help students apply the skills or knowledge they learned in the classroom to the outdoor activity. Debrief and reflect on the experience to strengthen connections.
• Be safe. Carry a first-aid kit, be aware of allergies and symptoms of heat (or cold) fatigue and illness. Never approach or touch wildlife you are unsure of.
• Be courteous. “Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories.” Handle plants and animals respectfully. Clean up any trash and gently replace displaced rocks or vegetation. Return wildlife back to its home (a few feet for a person might seem like miles to small animals).

for additional information, VISIT:

• Nature Bridge
• National Audubon Society
• Project Learning Tree