Wild Learning - Practical Ideas to Bring Teaching Outdoors

Wild Learning answers a call in the educational community for practical, easy-to-implement activities that bring core curriculum out of the classroom and into the outdoors. Outdoor learning has risen in popularity in recent years, and it has tremendous benefits. Being outside is healthier, helps children form a strong connection to the natural world, supports a variety of learning styles, increases engagement and motivation, and improves mental health. This book gives teachers practical activities that they can immediately implement, and helps educators overcome common barriers to outdoor instruction. These activities can be done in common outdoor spaces that are accessible to teachers in all school settings, and they are adaptable to their current curriculum--not an extra thing to try to fit into their day.
* Get ideas for fun outdoor activities that cover core subject matter already being taught
* Take learning outside, taking advantage of commonly accessible areas, no matter the educational setting
* Help students develop a healthy appreciation of the outdoors and support hands-on learning styles
* Support students' physical and mental health without sacrificing learning time
 
This book is a much-needed resource for elementary and special education teachers, as well as those in alternative schools, forest schools, and homeschooling parents.

List of contents

Introduction 1
 
Benefits of teaching outdoors 1
 
Zones of accessibility 4
 
01 Planning and preparation 13
 
A place to gather 13
 
Safety considerations 17
 
Getting parents on board with outdoor learning 19
 
Planning classroom outdoor time and classroom management 19
 
Dressing for the weather: Gear for kids and adults 21
 
Creating a positive outdoor experience for students and teachers 29
 
Materials for outdoor learning 30
 
Final thoughts 33
 
02 Lessons in the schoolyard 34
 
The wonders of chalk 34
 
Learning games for the schoolyard 51
 
Using natural materials 68
 
Utilizing the schoolyard 93
 
Final thoughts 104
 
03 Visiting the neighborhood 105
 
Walking adventures 106
 
Final thoughts 149
 
04 Exploring farther afield 150
 
The plants and animals around us 150
 
Developing a sit spot practice 189
 
Final thoughts 196
 
05 Inviting nature indoors 197
 
A nature- inspired class meeting 197
 
Cultivating nature appreciation and curiosity throughout the year 204
 
Final thoughts 217
 
Acknowledgments 219
 
About the Website 220
 
Index 221

About the author

RACHEL TIDD is the author and creator of the Wild Math^® and Wild Reading^(TM) curricula and is a leading advocate for integrating the outdoors into elementary education. She reimagines instruction using nature and the outdoors as a tool for enhancing academic skills. Her techniques are used by teachers and homeschooling parents around the United States and the world.

Summary

Wild Learning answers a call in the educational community for practical, easy-to-implement activities that bring core curriculum out of the classroom and into the outdoors. Outdoor learning has risen in popularity in recent years, and it has tremendous benefits. Being outside is healthier, helps children form a strong connection to the natural world, supports a variety of learning styles, increases engagement and motivation, and improves mental health. This book gives teachers practical activities that they can immediately implement, and helps educators overcome common barriers to outdoor instruction. These activities can be done in common outdoor spaces that are accessible to teachers in all school settings, and they are adaptable to their current curriculum--not an extra thing to try to fit into their day.
* Get ideas for fun outdoor activities that cover core subject matter already being taught
* Take learning outside, taking advantage of commonly accessible areas, no matter the educational setting
* Help students develop a healthy appreciation of the outdoors and support hands-on learning styles
* Support students' physical and mental health without sacrificing learning time

This book is a much-needed resource for elementary and special education teachers, as well as those in alternative schools, forest schools, and homeschooling parents.

Product details

• Authors: Tidd, R Tidd, Rachel Tidd
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2023
• EAN: 9781119931348
• ISBN: 978-1-119-93134-8
• No. of pages: 240
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Family; Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Unterricht, Education, Bildungswesen, Allg. Bildungswesen