Page 8 - Outdoor Practitioner Issue 2

5 top tips for learning outside the classroom
Learning outside is more important today than ever before The Council for for Learning Outside the Classroom shares their top tips for taking your lessons beyond the the classroom
walls 1 Just do it!
Don’t wait until the the the outside outside ‘classroom’ garden or or playground is is finished just take your group outside outside and and work with what you you you have have Regardless of of of of the the the size of of of of the the the space you you you have have – a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a few square metres of of of of tarmac or or or a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a huge playing field it it it it it offers a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a new new and and and different learning environment Once you you start start using it it it it regularly you’ll start start to find new new possibilities and and opportunities 2 Little and often
Don’t set out out with with a a a a a a a a a a a a vision for day-long full curriculum experiences start small and and and grow Give your pupils time time to to become familiar with with preparing to to go outside outside and and and increasing the the the amount of of time time they spend outside outside as as as part of of their lessons lessons You’ll also learn how how how long an an an an an an an an activity can can can last and and and and how how how you can can can expand or or or or extend it it it and and how how it it it can can can be incorporated into other indoor lessons lessons 3 Make it a a a a a a a a a ‘must do’ do’ rather than a a a a a a a a a ‘nice to to do’ do’ Learning Learning outside outside is a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a free or or or low-cost way to to enhance your your your your lessons and and and support your your your your pupils Learning Learning outside outside has immense benefits for for for both your your your your pupil’s health and and and and and wellbeing and and and and and your your your your own It also provides context for for for classroom-based learning making it it relevant and and and and understandable for for for your pupils 4 Variety is the spice of life!
Once you you you you are confident leading learning in in in in your your school grounds why don’t you you you you walk to to your your local park canal or or town? As well the the excitement of of of venturing off-site these different spaces will open up up a a a a a a a a a a a a a host of of of new learning learning opportunities and and and help your pupils understand that learning learning can can and and and does happen everywhere 5 Get some help The Council for for for Learning Outside the the the Classroom is the the the national voice for for for learning outside the the the classroom
and and and and has a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a wealth of resources and and and and information to help you you plan deliver and and and and evaluate your learning sessions Members can can also access activity ideas and and and and curriculum-linked lesson plans as as as well as as as receiving a a a a a a a a a a a a a a host of other benefits Find out out out more about how CLOtC can can help you you you get the the most from your outdoor learning experiences www lotc org uk
Join CLOtC and take your teaching outside the classroom
more often
FREE curriculum-linked resource packs
FREE online workshops and discounted CPD training FREE on-line CPD courses
DISCOUNTS on learning outside the classroom
resources 5 Join today: www lotc org uk