Experiential learning in nature for knowledge that sticks.

Category: Outdoor Learning Ideas (Page 1 of 3)

Using Wonderful Worm Stories to Ignite Natural Curiosity in Students

Worms are wonderful. They improve soil drainage, eat parasites and plant debris, and fertilize the soil with their castings. My students love digging in the dirt searching for worms. You are the winner if you find the biggest one! That’s their rule, not mine.… Continue reading

Excellent Children’s Literature to Inspire Appreciation of Nature


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The Learning Value of Pulling Weeds

Can a simple outdoor activity, such as weeding the garden, be a vehicle in which the children demonstrate accomplishment of standards and benchmarks?

Encourage the children to weed the garden? Some folks would argue that it’s a waste of valuable learning time.… Continue reading

Easy Spring Art: Dying Eggs


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Our Nature Museum

Developing observational skills, building vocabulary and practicing narrative skills through curiosity about the natural world.

If you are worried your children won’t be learning vital prereading skills when they are playing outside, don’t be. Nature is full of rich and interesting details.… Continue reading

Fall Fun with Dingle Dangle Scarecrow

Does your outdoor learning area look like this? Need to clean up your space before parents visit? Here’s a fun Autumn idea that will spark your students’ imaginations, get them dancing and singing, AND tidy up your outdoor learning area at the same time! … Continue reading

Make Sidewalk Chalk with Your Students

This is a favorite experience I like to do with my students to:

  1. encourage them to write and draw on the pavement outdoors
  2. let them experience taking turns while doing a group project
  3. introduce them to following directions or a recipe
  4. use measurement in a real-life situation

I have found that children who normally do not color on the pavement (often times, boys) are more interested to do it when they have made the chalk themselves – and chosen the color of the chalk to make.… Continue reading

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