CURRICULA
Next Generation Science Standards - Design features to teach to specific grade levels and key teaching points.....for example:
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Kindergarten - insects and parts of the butterfly, life cycle of butterfly
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K & 1st grades - parts of a plant
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1st & 2nd grade - animals in their habitats
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3rd grade - soils
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4th & 5th grades - climate and ecosystems
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Hands-on observations, compare/contrast, explore & discover
Reading, writing, language arts - Taking the work outside inspires students in quiet and beautiful settings:
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Nature journaling
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Story telling
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Poetry writing
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Quiet reading or read out loud to group
Mathematics and Physics - Most every math concept can be taught outdoors, including:
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Measuring
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Addition, Subtraction, groups, etc.
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Scientific principles such as gravity, mass, etc.
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Math Trails - Finding the beauty in teaching math ouside (Edutopia)
Art - Being outdoors in a natural setting can calm, inspire and support creativity:
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Displaying art - whether on a permanent frame or temporary/event spaces
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Painting - all types of media
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Creating natural dyes
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Permanent art installation
Educational signs/features - Signs can support teacher lessons as well as self-guided learning, by both students and families after school hours:
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Learning posts - painted with a variety of curricula themes
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Aluminum signs - permanent signs designed with images / text
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Sign boards - larger boards with etchings, drawings, painting to tell stories and themes
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Student art projects to add color and character to each project
Career focused / Technical training - identify features and partnerships to support middle and high school students with projects to meet long-term projects and skill development:
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Project specific design - work with students to identify semester and community service projects
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Stewardship partners - connect students with local partners/schools that would benefit with assistance on service projects (long term or event)
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CTE projects - work with CTE programs/teachers to identify projects and tasks to meet CTE goals
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Mentorship partners -- connect schools with projects where older students can assist, such as growing plants, building habitat structures, etc.
