Outdoor Classroom

I'm green with envy for your outdoor space! That's awesome! When I've had the chance to take students outside I've found it helpful to give them time to adjust to the novelty of it and not expect them to be focused on the lesson at first. So start with an easy assignment that channels their distractions into something useful, such as an observation or scavenger hunt assignment. Have them find producers, consumers, etc and maybe use an app to ID different plants and animals they can see. Or have them do a quick journal activity where their job is to observe their surroundings and write down what thoughts and feelings they are experiencing in real time. 

Soon the novelty of being outside will wear off a bit and they can get some more challenging work done. 

I'm green with envy for your outdoor space! That's awesome! When I've had the chance to take students outside I've found it helpful to give them time to adjust to the novelty of it and not expect them to be focused on the lesson at first. So start with an easy assignment that channels their distractions into something useful, such as an observation or scavenger hunt assignment. Have them find producers, consumers, etc and maybe use an app to ID different plants and animals they can see. Or have them do a quick journal activity where their job is to observe their surroundings and write down what thoughts and feelings they are experiencing in real time. 

Soon the novelty of being outside will wear off a bit and they can get some more challenging work done.