Tips for Outdoor Classroom Teaching
The benefits of teaching outdoors are inumerable. Nature has been shown to enhance learning, improve concentration and stimulate curiosity. At NatureBridge, nature is our classroom. Our innovative programs take students away from their desks and into outdoor classrooms set in national parks—where they spend several days immersed in nature, living and learning alongside their peers.
In traditional school settings, students can still reap the benefits of the outdoors. As a teacher, consider taking your students outdoors for a class one time each week to begin. With a few tips, teachers can navigate any hurdles in transitioning from the traditional indoor classroom setting to teaching in the outdoors.
To give you the best tips on teaching outdoors, we compiled the insight and knowledge of our seasoned outdoor educators:
1. Rely on Nature’s Lessons #
One of the best things about nature is all of the teaching tools it provides, right at the tip of your fingers. Learning comes alive in nature and the possibilities for teaching moments are everywhere you look. Who needs a textbook when you can demonstrate the age of a tree or identify an animal footprint in real life?
2. Allow for Exploring #
Ample time to explore, discover and dig in the dirt is key for sparking engagement. In fact, it can lead to questions, discussions and even science investigations. NatureBridge Education Coordinator Deanna Butcher sees this nearly every day in the field at our Olympic National Park campus.
“I believe the biggest practice for outdoor classroom teaching is allowing for curiosity by giving time to explore and fully experience the outdoors through most or all of their senses,” said Dee. “Students should be doing all of their learning through hands-on experiences by exploring, discovering, and allowing themselves to come up with their own concepts through what they experience.”
3. Create Boundaries #
As our NatureBridge educators explain however, students can be overwhelmed with stimuli in the outdoors. The best way to manage is to find a balance between free exploration and a focus in the outdoor classroom. When it comes time to focus, our educators suggest having an auditory boundary or call and response to bring students back in.
It’s also important to create explicit boundaries when teaching in your outdoor classroom. A tree or root identifier is not clear enough. Instead, use items such as backpacks and bandanas to help create boundaries and structure. Just be sure to place them in a way that will not create a tripping hazard.
4. Let Nature Answer Questions #
One of the greatest things about teaching outside is that students can witness results and answers to their curiosities in real time.
“[Nature] organically creates a laboratory for learning by not giving the answers, but creating a pathway for questions,” Dee explained. “This stimulates more curiosity and engagement by inviting the learner to look for their questions in what they can see and experience.”
Rather than finding the answer in a book, nature allows students to act as real scientists and biologists. Provide field journals so that they can record these observations.
5. Use Pair Shares #
Some teachers may find that walking from one destination to the next causes students to become distracted. A great solution is to set up “pair shares” among your group. Have students walk in twos and provide science learning prompts as you go—this keeps them engaged and learning on the go!
6. Integrate Classroom Teachings #
You may think that moving your students outdoors means letting go of all classroom rules and learning structures. However, integrating your existing classroom teachings into your outdoor classroom setting is actually extremely effective in helping students transition. Structure and routine can help set your students up for success as they engage in the natural world around them.
Watch our educator video on all things teaching in the outdoors to learn more!
Stories
2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz
At NatureBridge, we celebrate the stewards of today and foster the development of the stewards of tomorrow, working to inspire environmental stewardship in all our participants. Our goal is to motivate our students to make waves and be changemakers in their communities and for our planet.
Each year, NatureBridge honors a student who has demonstrated leadership, growth and a commitment to protecting our natural world as a result of their participation in a NatureBridge program. This year’s honoree will be recognized and will speak at An Evening Outside with NatureBridge on Thursday, May 16 at our Golden Gate campus.
We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Student of the Year: Kai Diaz.
An Interview with Evening Outside Keynote Speaker Dr. Britt Wray
The minute we found out about the work of Dr. Britt Wray, we knew we wanted to learn more about her. A well-respected author and scientist, Dr. Wray possesses expertise in an area of research we talk about a lot at NatureBridge—specifically how we can be resilient, hopeful, and actionable amid a changing world, including the climate crisis. We’re thrilled that Dr. Wray will be joining us on May 16 for An Evening Outside with NatureBridge as our Featured Speaker. Ahead of the event, we had the chance to ask her a few questions relating to her work and her connection to the mission of NatureBridge.
Staff Spotlight: Appreciation for Miho Aida
Miho Aida (she/they) has held multiple roles at NatureBridge over the past twenty-four years, including Environmental Science Educator, Community Connection Coordinator, Field Staff Scientist, Marine Project Coordinator, Pacific Rim Environmental Education Specialist, Armstrong Scholars Educator, Diversity Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and Director of Equity and Inclusion. Now, on the eve of Miho's departure, we asked them to reflect on their time at NatureBridge and share a bit about their upcoming adventures.