The Importance Of Outdoor Education
It's Earth Day! One of the best days of the year becuase this is when Nature really gets its appreciation. Although it should be every single day in my eyes, I'll take what I can get. One of my favorite things about Earth Day is the recognition that local environmental centers and conservation centers get from their schools and the communities that surround them. Last year and this year I was able to take part in Shaver's Creeks Earth Day activities where local schools came to the center and we were able to bring the classroom outside and really get the kids involved in real-world outdoor education. All of the lesson plans are focused on what available ecosystems we have on-site and all of the native and non-native wildlife and plants. Seeing these studnets curiosity thrive when I bring out a frog, show them salamander eggs, or even get them engaged in a game of natural selection, you can see them learn firsthand how their backyard woods or ecosystems work.
I will always advocate outdoor learning, even if the lesson itself doesn't involve anything of the outside world. On a nice day, take your studnets outside to read, or do some work. Sure, they might be distracted, but the real sense of it all is that sometimes we don't let them get out and enjoy a nice day enough. They are trapped inside 4 walls all day every day and if you can get them out at least once a week when it is nice and even more so when it is convenient not only will those studnets gain a huge serotonin boost, but they might even come to class with a bigger smile the next day.
As a future educator who will always float more toward the hands-on side of learning, I will always strive to get my studnets outside and into nature as much as possible. No one is holding you back from hosting a lesson outside. Have your studnets take their seats outside, or if that is not possible have them sit on mats or even just the grass. Sure the board in the front of the room makes things easier, but a large portable whiteboard can do the same thing outside.
I know it is not always easy, and it is sometimes time-consuming, but get to get your studnets outside and have them interact with nature I will always belive that it helps them learn and retain information a lot easier than just being stuck inside four concrete walls for 8 hours a day.
Mr. McCabe
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