Educators: grow your outdoor education skills
Are you an educator who wants to take your kids outside, but is unsure where to begin? Have you tried an outdoor lesson, but weren’t satisfied with the results? We’re here for you!
New to outdoor education? Here are three blog posts to help you feel confident and capable as you jump right in:
Get Ready to Teach Outdoors • Teaching Outside: Outdoor Routines • Teaching Outside: Adapting to Online Learning
Courses for educators
We currently offer two free classes for educators. We prefer to teach more than one teacher at a time, so if you’re interested in these lessons, chat with your colleagues to find some other teachers who might be interested, then send us an email to schedule. We’re so excited to spread the nature education love!
1. Getting Started with Teaching Outdoors
In this lesson, you will get a great foundation for taking your kids outside for a safe, comfortable, fun time! Topics include:
Kids examine a bird nest during an outdoor lesson (photo by Carolyn Byers/SoWBA).
Preparing to go outside: setting boundaries and expectations, practicing recall, prepping kids so they know what to expect, and tips for actually getting kids dressed and outside.
Traveling as a group: navigating sidewalks, crossing roads, and setting up your outdoor classroom.
Safety: from weather to stinging insects and everything in between! Please note: this is not a first-aid class.
Being good visitors in nature: respecting wildlife, leave-no-trace hiking, trails vs. free exploring, what to touch and what to avoid.
Resources for lesson planning: to help you get started on your outdoor education journey!
2. A Lesson on Lesson planning
You’ll be set for a year of outdoor education success! In this lesson, you’ll learn how to:
This lesson was outside, near water, and involved animal encounters: everyone was safe and had a GREAT time learning (SoWBA photo).
Build a nature-culture in your classroom: learn about our favorite methods, including sit-spots, gratitude circles, nature journaling, and sharing nature encounters.
Time your lessons with natural events: plan lessons that are anchored in the natural events that happen throughout the year.
Outdoor vs. indoor ed: build outdoor lessons that support what you’re doing during your indoor lessons, and get tips on adjusting indoor lessons so they can be taught outside.
We provide an outline for a year of lessons, and we will discuss how you might adjust them to fit your needs.
Interested in learning more about these lessons or getting one on your calendar?
Cover image: A teacher works with a student during an outdoor lesson (SoWBA photo).
