Where do I even start? How do I begin?
One of the first things, if not very first, is to determine why and duration length of your time outdoors. There are no wrong answers here, but this will determine how you prepare for the outdoor setting and your intended task(s).
Change of scenery (temporary)
Do you want to complete a typical activity or experience from your traditional classroom setting in a new location? Maybe you want to take advantage of the sunshine to complete your reading groups today. Maybe you want students to draw array models for multiplication with sidewalk chalk outside instead of on tech, chalkboards, or whiteboards today.
Things to consider:
- Will learners sit or stand?
- Do you need something to sit upon or will they use the natural setting?
- Do you have a small medkit you can take with you in case of minor injuries?
Pro tip: Have learners use the restroom just before you venture outdoors unless an outdoor option is available and will not distract from your intended outdoor time.
Use of natural space or objects for a task or project (short term)
So you want learners to use natural objects to create models of insects and arachnids rather than draw on paper, maybe you want to create a small dwelling place for a character in a story you are reading together, or practice their skills in calculating area, perimeter, and volume by constructing fairy estates (think homes but with yards and walkways even)
Things to consider:
- Do you plan to collect materials and then come inside for constructing these projects or will you stay outside for the duration of the project?
Immersion experience (short term)
Perhaps you are reading about a garden area, outdoor space, or walk in the woods and you want your learners to experience it as well.
Things to consider:
- Will learners need to bring anything with them to record the experience or to sit upon at any point?
- Is there a restroom facility outdoors or will you require the use before exiting the physical building?
Exclusively outdoors (long term or permanent time frame)
This more permanent situation may take a little more time and mental energy to plan, but I assure you it is worth trying out and committing to, pandemic or not! In my case, I used very few extra resources and organizing mechanisms at first. I wanted to just see what happened when I committed to exclusive outdoor use. If you have time or need to plan ahead for your own sanity, take a look at these questions:
Things to consider:
- What space(s) is/are available?
- Which one(s) is best suited for your activities?
- What will you do if another group is using a space you would like?
- Will you need storage?
- Do you need formal sitting areas? Alternatives are towels, overturned buckets or crates, cutting boards, tree stump stools, concrete areas, notebooks, chairs from inside, folding chairs for outdoor events, permanent stadium or other stool type seating. What will work for your community and intended use?
- Are there any dangerous locations you need to be aware of?
- What are the rules for your learners that may differ from indoor settings?
- Do you need or require administrative permission?
- What communication will you have with families in advance? During? After? Throughout the year?
- What equipment or gear will be necessary?
- What is your plan for learners who arrive unprepared for the weather conditions?
- What are the weather thresholds (heat, cold, density of precipitation) for being outdoors?
- Do you have a portable medkit to keep with you?
- How will you carry/organize frequently used items you will need with you?
- Where is the nearest restroom facility?
- How will you track which student(s) are using facilities?
