Learning outdoors is about creating an appreciation for the world around you and is for all ages to enjoy doing.  People in the world today have gotten away from being outside and exploring our world firsthand.  Instead, they sit on their electronic devices and play games or use the internet to learn and try to experience the world around them.  The best way to experience nature and the environment around you is to go outside and use your senses to immerse yourself in it.  The more we are outside experiencing our world, the more we will want to protect it. To see one of my educational posts, click on a link below.  Look through and see what inspires you to learn outside.

Teaching with Cameras – Today’s technology is an excellent tool for teaching students of all ages.  Try using digital cameras as part of your lesson.  I don’t know any kid who doesn’t like to take pictures, so what better way to engage students in the lesson than using a camera?

Dressing for Winter Weather – The cold weather shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the outdoors.  All you need to do is dress appropriately and in layers.

Making Your Own Nature Journal – Creating your own nature journal will get you exactly what you want.  You can also be as creative as you want with it.

National Park Mystery Series Books – This kid’s fictional book series incorporates adventure, mystery, and factual information about some of our National Parks.

Nature Journal – Preschool students up through senior citizens can obtain positive benefits from using a nature journal. Here are some ideas that can help you get started using one and hopefully bring you closer to nature depending on your own unique needs.

Activities Using Trees – The more we get to know the trees around us, the more we will appreciate them.  The following are some activities or games that use trees or parts of trees.

Activities Using Leaves – Some activities with leaves can be done with a group or alone such as leaf collecting, get-to-know-you, leaf art, sorting, counting, matching, word work, and grouping people.

Leaf Rubbing Identification Book – You will create a unique book that incorporates art with leaf rubbings and helps to identify different trees using their leaves.

River Falls School and Community Forest – All are welcome to these 114 acres in River Falls, Wisconsin. There are many hiking trails that run through upland wooded areas, lowland wooded areas, prairie, and along the banks of the Kinnickinnic River.  Some trails are wide enough to drive a car down, but others look like deer trails. 

Senses in Nature – One of the best ways to help your mental health is by just being in nature and using your senses.  Find a place to just sit outside and focus on one of your senses at a time. 

Start the School Year Off Outdoors -I know most teachers don’t have the freedom to create their own curriculum, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change things up with the curriculum you have to use. The following are some ideas to get you thinking about how to integrate the outdoors and movement into the lessons you already need to teach.

Lee-Kay Family Educational County Forest – Get out and explore!  You don’t have to go far away to explore new places.  There are many free walking trails around.  You just have to look in your neighborhood or community.