Outdoor Classroom: Design Inspiration!

If you are anything like me, and have done some thinking about The Outdoor Classroom, you are probably super inspired and trying to come up with ways to incorporate one into your work with children!

But sometimes the question is, where should I begin?  I always find it helpful to have some concrete examples for inspiration to get my creative juices flowing and to help make the decision-making process of design and implementation easier.

This post is to serve as a collection of ideas of some possible designs for your outdoor classroom!  Enjoy!

I love the use of the clear, coloured roof of this outdoor classroom, below!  Imagine how fun it would be to be a child sitting beneath this shelter.  I'm sure the concept of light and colour would spark the interests of many...imagine the possibilities of learning!

http://www.infiniteplaygrounds.co.uk/canopies-and-outdoor-classrooms/outdoor-classrooms/


This next image shows how areas for music-making can be incorporated outdoors.  How inviting does this look?

http://natureexplorecommunity.org/2012/seca-outdoor-classroom-contest/

How exciting would it be for a child to see a library set up outdoors!  Sometimes just changing the environment slightly to something unexpected and out of the ordinary would make children want to engage in activities they typically would not be to keen on.

http://www.yourfuturelibrary.ca/design-photos/covered-outdoor-reading-lounge-for-kids-just-to-enhance-to-this-idea-we-could-have-small-furniture-for-kids-kids-size-sofas-and-chairs

Setting up a garden for children to plant and care for their own greenery utilizes the children's five senses in their learning and exploration.  I also love how this photo shows the mirror added behind the garden.  It allows the children to see all around the plants and utilizes the space effectively.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/316166836312945012/



Incorporating a pond, like the one below, may allow children to study wildlife and the lifecycle of any plants or animals living in it.  The responsibilities children take on upon caring for a pond may teach them compassion, teamwork and responsibility!

 

http://www.ladycross.derbyshire.sch.uk/Curriculum/Outdoor+Learning

Below is a photo of Deephaven Elementary School's outdoor classroom.  You can see how the open space has some areas divided to encourage small group interactions.  The different areas also support various types of play, by providing sections with tables, platforms, gardens, and open spaces.

 

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/17905576

For more Outdoor Classroom inspiration, visit my Pinterest Board at http://www.pinterest.com/leevh/the-outdoor-classroom/
 

If you have an outdoor classroom that is already up and running and you are willing to share some photos, please Tweet me!  My twitter handle is @leevictoria - I'd LOVE to hear from you!





The Outdoor Classroom: Video Example

Here is a video that shows children learning and playing outdoors in the Nature Explore Classroom at The National Conservation Training Centre.  This is truly amazing as we can see how children's natural love of the outdoors brings about curiosity and wonder of the world around them.

 

"The National Conservation Training Center installed a Nature Explore Classroom to connect children with nature. Watch the process unfold as kids begin to play, create, and explore the outdoors. This classroom serves as a model for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, public lands, schools and anyone who wants to connect children with nature" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Xv_SNvaIY)

For more information, visit: http://www.arborday.org/explore

Outdoor Classroom in Sackville, New Brunswick

This just in!  A look at a new outdoor classroom in Sackville, New Brunswick!



Image courtesy of http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/avast-ye-mateys-pirate-ship-classroom-launches-in-sackville-1.2827398

 Salem Elementary School has opened their Pirate Ship shaped outdoor classroom for students in Kindergarten to 4th Grade.  It is evident that this innovative take on the outdoor classroom has already sparked an interest in learning in the school's students.

"The kids are so involved, you would not believe it," said principal Ada Phinney. "They are just busy out here — and busy in a good way."


Image courtesy of http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/avast-ye-mateys-pirate-ship-classroom-launches-in-sackville-1.2827398

 

The principal also states, "There’s so much to feel and smell and hear, and all of their senses, I think, really absorb what is going on out here. It's a learning environment that is like no other."

The full article about Salem Elementary's new Outdoor Classroom can be found here.  If this isn't solid reason enough to incorporate outdoor classroom's into all schools across Canada, I don't know what is.

Keep up with me on Twitter at: http://www.twitter/com/leevictoria

or on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/leevh/the-outdoor-classroom/

The Outdoor Classroom: For More Information...

Image from: http://www.edenproject.com/learn-with-us/teacher-training-and-school-development/school-development/taking-the-primary-classroom-outside

 

If you are looking for more resources on The Outdoor Classroom, follow me:

My board on The Outdoor Classroom on Pinterest!

...or converse with me on Twitter!  My Twitter handle is @leevictoria and I have also posted some interesting articles regarding The Outdoor Classrom!

The Outdoor Classroom

When you think about children's learning, in what environment do you typically imagine this takes place?  For many, the obvious answer is within the classroom as this is where we are conditioned to believe most learning occurs.  However the opposite is found to be true, according to current studies:



Image from http://www.communityplaythings.com/inspiration/room-inspirations/outdoor-play

"Experience in the field and child development research alike are showing that all children need and benefit from more time outdoors; it is critical for their health, self-concept and future school success. The optimal learning and growing environment for young children is composed of a full integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. The Outdoor Classroom enhances and adds to the limited scope of activities available inside confined classrooms by providing for hands-on experiences, physical activity, social-emotional growth through peer interaction and multifaceted approaches to cognitive development that connect children to nature and maximize their learning outcomes."  This information and more can be found at http://outdoorclassroomproject.org/

Image from http://childrenandnature.ning.com/photo/outdoor-classroom

The Outdoor Classroom's vision is simple: children benefit from spending more time outdoors, especially in natural places. Its goal is equally simple: to increase the quantity, quality, and benefit of outdoor experience for children (http://www.communityplaythings.com/)