What was tried in the classroom?
We took our students outside to do ELA, science, and math. It was a blast! The students loved to be outside and even after the “new” wore off they still enjoyed being outside more than inside.
First Activity
Students had to measure a space we wanted to learn in, and then calculate the area. Next, they had to figure out what supplies we need and if they fit/how they fit. They needed to calculate how much the items would cost and write a persuasive letter asking our PTSA and principal for donation/permission to use the space.
Second Activity
Students looked at plants in our garden, made a scientific sketch, then used their sketch to look up what plant they had found. Next they took data on how many of that plant was in our garden and used the data to create a bar graph. Later students pretended they were a seed of that plant and wrote a fiction story about how they dispersed.
How’d it go?
First Activity
The students had a blast! They worked the hardest they have all year and earned a grant as well as permission to use the space.
Second Activity
The sketch and data went well, and students enjoyed it. They compared plants with one another, and we will add that to the following year lesson plan. For the story students did alright. Many did forget the writing lessons they had earlier in the year, showing us that students need more direct instruction on writing with a prompt vs not.
Outdoor Classroom Setup
Class working in outdoor classroom
Taking the classroom outdoors
Students measuring
Students collecting data
ClimeTime Training
Beyond Classroom Walls
Classroom
School: Carnation Elementary
District: Riverview School District
Teachers: Danielle Getizke and Erica Parkin
