Outdoor Classroom

The outdoor classroom is designed to engage learners and increase their understanding of learning concepts through nature. The classroom aims to instill a sense of wonder and love for nature and the outdoors, and develop a respect for all living things. It also offers opportunities for learners to connect with hands-on experiences. The curriculum for outside is meaningful and created to deepen learning through enriching activities that connect certain aspects of the classroom projects with the outdoors. Our goal is to ensure that both work cohesively and authentically. The outdoor classroom takes place rain or shine!

TK/K

We are continuing to learn through play! Our learners have been very interested in butterflies! We have been learning about the different characteristics of butterflies, including symmetry and how they metamorphosize. Learners can be seen catching butterflies using butterfly nets and observing them (while remaining delicate!). We also did numerous activities and immersive learning focusing on the aspects of weather as they prepared for their POL.

1st

Our 1st grade learners are collaborating and participating in activities that form a thriving community. Through hands-on sensory play, art, and mud, they are working together focusing on communication, imagination, and exploration. They will then use these skills to develop and build an outdoor community. This is connected to their classroom Driving Question: “How can I design a new community by identifying the best elements of our community?”

2nd

Second grade has been getting very hands-on outside. Our 2nd grade learners love anything messy! Learners have been drawn to our mud kitchen and science center. Learners are also collaborating with the new outdoor wood engineering and design items.

3rd/4th

We have been unleashing our inner artists in 3rd and 4th grade. Learners are finding beautiful nature materials and using them to create art pieces. Learners have collaborated in groups to design a canvas that shows what natures means to them. They also worked on creating mandalas, learning about a center calming point, and creating symmetrical pieces.

5th/6th grade

Learning all things mold! Learners have been growing mold on pieces of bread to help them connect with their current baking project. Learning about the different components of mold and how it grows will help learners succeed with their projects with packaging and handling. No one wants a moldy cupcake!