Back To School Idea
Welcome to the first of twenty outdoor learning ideas that I will be sharing with you in September. Many of the ideas aren’t original or earth-shatteringly spectacular, but you might be surprised how effective simple learning experiences are when done outdoors. So, let’s get September started. Here’s the first idea:
We want the children to love their Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) and feel happy when they’re in it. To instill a sense of ownership of the OLE in them on the very first day, we invite the children to plant a flower with their parents. The children plant the flower of their choice in the planter of their choice.
Offer a variety of species and colors.
As luck would have it this year, the sun was shining. I will admit, it’s a bit trickier to get the parents and students outside to plant when it’s raining, but we do it! The children play outside every day no matter the weather – sun, rain, warm, cold, dry, windy, wet, mud, ice, or snow! So it’s important to set that expectation on the first day by getting the parents and children out together – no matter the weath
Try to observe the children as they plant with their parents.
Does the child confidently declare, “I want to do it!” or does the child prefer to watch as their parents take the lead? Who enjoys touching the soil and who would rather keep their hands clean?
Student plants flower with her parents.
Who is curious about planting and who is disinterested? Who is comfortable outdoors and who would rather go back inside as soon as possible?
We use this initial experience in the OLE to gather information about our students’ learning styles, interests, skills and knowledge.
Student waters flower he planted.
After planting their flower, we encourage the parents to spend some time exploring the OLE with their child. These activities are part of our Back to School orientation routine.
As the parents and children leave the OLE, be sure to thank them for making their outdoor learning environment more beautiful. There’s a wonderful sense of satisfaction that comes from leaving a place better than you found it. Children really enjoy this feeling once we help them discover it.
Planter by Loghouse
Pond Barrier Planter
Small Planter
If you don’t have planters, it’s not a problem. Plant flowers in the ground, in an old wheelbarrow or in tires. (Don’t use tires if you are in a subtropical or tropical location. The black rubber can become too hot to touch!) I’ve also seen flowers planted in children’s rubber boots, repurposed pallets, ladders and wagon wheels.
Why not give planting with your students a try?
