Getting outside is such a rewarding feel good task – but it can feel like the hardest thing to do when your life is crazy busy. As this time of the semester rolls around, we are swamped between group projects, individual assignments and preparing for our upcoming practicum. These crazy schedules make it challenging to have time for myself and doing things that really benefit my mental health because I am so focused at doing my best for school. Today, we had the opportunity to explore part of our class outside. This was amazing. We got to enjoy sunshine while still participating in school – but this did not even really feel like school. We got to explore Finnerty Gardens on campus, and really take in our surroundings based on QR codes provided to us – in the form of a scavenger hunt. After a class reflection at the end of class, I think everyone significantly benefitted from this experience. I want to value this time and put more efforts into getting outside, even if it is to do homework. And moving forward I believe that this is a very valuable lesson I can bring into my teaching.
Ways to Incorporate Outdoor Education:
Outdoor Lessons: Take opportunities to teach lessons outside, this will help create a change of environment for studies and connect students to nature. This can be accomplished through science experiments, math activities, outdoor projects, art exercises. The benefits of doing outdoor lessons are increased physical activity, improve mental-health, connecting local communities, and promoting sustainable behaviours. Here are a few resources I found to bring into a classroom:
- https://www.weareteachers.com/outdoor-science/
- https://thirdspacelearning.com/us/blog/outdoor-math-activities-elementary-school/
- https://artfulparent.com/21-outdoor-art-ideas-for-kids/
Nature Walks: This is a great strategy to teach students about Indigenous lands around them, explore ecosystems, plant and animal life, connect with nature. Alongside these educational benefits are personal benefits too. This is a great technique for body breaks, stress reduction, and physical exercise.
PHE Classes: Taking PHE classes outside is a simple and effective way to get students connected to nature. Students get exposure to fresh air and sunlight, enhancing motor skills, using nature environments, exploration of areas and social interaction or team building.
Two-Eyed Seeing:
Etuaptmumk – Two-Eyed Seeing refers to viewing the strengths of knowledges through two lenses. These two lenses include viewing the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing with the combination of Western knowledges and ways of knowing. “Two-Eyed Seeing adamantly, respectfully, and passionately asks that we bring together our different ways of knowing to motivate people.” (Two-eyed seeing, n.d.) Using these two lenses together will create a benefit and gift of multiple perspectives. Two-Eyed Seeing is beneficial as we are “to use all our understandings so we can leave the world a better place and not comprise the opportunities for our youth.” (Two-eyed seeing, n.d.)
Resources:
Two-eyed seeing. Guiding Principles (Two Eyed Seeing) | Integrative Science. (n.d.). http://www.integrativescience.ca/Principles/TwoEyedSeeing/
Staake, J. (2023, May 31). 60 wet and wild outdoor science projects and activities. We Are Teachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/outdoor-science/
Leighton, D. (2023, October 25). 13 FUN outdoor math activities for Kids. Third Space Learning. https://thirdspacelearning.com/us/blog/outdoor-math-activities-elementary-school/
Hul, J. V. (2023, May 2). 24 outdoor art ideas for kids. The Artful Parent. https://artfulparent.com/21-outdoor-art-ideas-for-kids/