Question
How do we integrate outdoor learning to a traditional classroom setting in lower elementary grades?
Rationale
There is a lot of research that shows the positive benefits associated with active outdoor lifestyles in people of all ages. In a world where students spend more time on technology than playing outside after school, there is a disconnect in student’s connection to nature and the positive benefits that are associated with spending more time outside. As educators, we can see these benefits of more time spent outdoors on student’s attention span, energy levels, ability to focus, happiness, and retention of learned concepts. In a traditional classroom environment, students typically only spend 30-60 minutes of the day playing outside during recess time with even less time outdoors during winter hours. I believe that it is very important that we provide students with more opportunities to both be outside and learn in different environments other than a traditional classroom. This project will hopefully teach students of the value of living an active outdoor lifestyle while also teaching them about the important parts of their required curriculum.
Benchmarks for student learning
I will interview students individually at the beginning of the project to assess how much time they currently spend outdoors outside of school, how much they enjoy spending time outdoors, how much they like learning outdoors at school, and how much time they wish they could spend outdoors. I will conduct similar interviews midway and at the end of my practicum to track how their opinions on outdoor learning may change.