Now that
we have some background about what outdoor classrooms are, I want to focus on
what we would find in these magical places. Hopefully many children exploring,
inquiring, and learning, right? What I really mean are what elements would be
found in this type of learning environment. If we think about this in the
perspective of a school ground, usually we find a lot of pavement that is fenced
in. In order to create this into an outdoor learning environment the elements
that can be added are seating, outdoor art areas such as chalkboards or easels,
a musical area, gardens, greenhouse, fitness and balance elements, and natural
features such as shrubs or greenery.
~Sand pit shaded by the tree. The logs can be used as seating
These elements are only examples and there is
much more possibilities that can be used. By adding these features into the
yard, the children will be exposed to much more stimulation and inquiry based
learning. When we look at a school yard that has a field or forest area, the
elements are still the same and there is more room for growth and exploration.
The possibilities for these environments depends on the children’s interests,
curriculum focuses, budget, and space
(http://tinyurl.com/oddm3rk).
Every school has the
possibility of creating an outdoor classroom that is inclusive to each child.
It just depends on how creative the project will get in order to present a
space for children where their learning and exploration is priority.
~Example of an outdoor classroom with a variety of learning areas
“It’s
important to remember that there is no standard design for an outdoor
classroom; the key is to develop the classroom that will work best for your
school grounds and the needs of your school”.
(http://tinyurl.com/oddm3rk)
The right plan will only ensure that this outdoor environment
will be used by all the children. The best way to do so is by involving the
students in the design process and sharing ideas that they may have. This will
allow the children to feel a sense of ownership and have respect for the
learning environment. Asking other schools and educators to incorporate their
ideas and plans can also benefit the design process.
You can refer to Focus on Forests Lesson Plan “Growing Knowledge
Outdoors” for activities to help students get involved in the design process. This can be found at
http://www.focusonforests.ca/helpers/
~Outdoor classroom design, because all classrooms should be outside!
Once the students are engaged and teachers are dedicated to
using the space, it’s just as important that the design be strong enough to
accommodate the level of use you’re expecting, along with the diversity of
children who will be using the space. The design process needs to focus on
inclusion of all students and their level of ability. This will ensure for a
space that all children can learn, inquire, grow, and inspire.
