Each year, we take considerable time to reflect upon our practice and adjust our plans to reflect the needs, interests, and dreams of young children in our classrooms. As this process has unfolded for the three of us (Laura Dyer, Sarah Read, and Adam Deyo), we have observed the direct connection between the outdoors and children’s ability to self-regulate, in addition to a developing a palpable joy and curiosity about the natural world. We have approached these observations and corresponding studies with a shared interest and desire to connect with nature alongside children more deeply. Professional development from leading outdoor educators, experience with kids in the woods at school, and investigating new research have led us to extend the day outside with children this year!
With the support of our school administrators, the three of us have begun collaborating to design longer outdoor experience each Wednesday for children in our rooms. We will be using a place-based perspective to connect our collective work across academic and social-emotional domains. We will head out as a group of three classrooms and join together in large and small group experiences, along with individual investigation. We will be both following the lead of children and crafting learning opportunities within the natural environment to reflect the scope and sequence of standards and curricula for Kindergarten.
Our hopes are many, including supporting children in an anxious world. Here are a few more:
- love and curiosity for learning
- open-ended play
- increased creativity/independence
- problem solving skills
- self confidence
- physical activity
- self regulation skills
- perseverance
- cooperation/connection with peers
- scientific knowledge about habitats, plants, animals, soil, composting, and more!
- purposeful opportunities to write and draw
- an appreciation, respect, and stewardship for the environment
Your child will need:
- Rain boots
- Sun hat (any sunscreen and bug spray should be applied before your child comes to school)
- Water bottle
- We highly recommend long pants (that can be tucked into socks) and long sleeve shirts to keep mosquitoes and ticks at bay.
*It’s not too early to start planning for winter gear (warm coat, waterproof snowpants, warm boots and socks, two pairs of waterproof mittens, hat, and scarf/neckwarmer)
Draft Wednesday schedule:
8:00-8:25 Outside Ease-in
8:30-8:50 Sun salutation, Morning Meeting/Gathering spots, Snack
**morning gathering/meeting and snack in our own individual classes**
8:50 Inside, take off gear, line up, bathroom visit
9:05-9:45 Essential Arts
9:45-10:00 Get dressed for outside, head out to the adult as they are ready
10:00 -10:45 Free Play
10:50 Class bathroom visit
11:00-11:50 Lunch (inside) and Recess (playground)
11:50 Pick kids up on playground, go to gathering spots
12:15-1:15 (1 hr block) Stations
1:15 Snack
1:30 Sit spots
1:45 Story time/Closing Circle reflections/gratitude (separate classes)
2:00 Inside- Pack up, writing journal/reflection, blog post
Draft Wednesday schedule:
8:00-8:25 Outside Ease-in
8:30-8:50 Sun salutation, Morning Meeting/Gathering spots, Snack
**morning gathering/meeting and snack in our own individual classes**
8:50 Inside, take off gear, line up, bathroom visit
9:05-9:45 Essential Arts
9:45-10:00 Get dressed for outside, head out to the adult as they are ready
10:00 -10:45 Free Play
10:50 Class bathroom visit
11:00-11:50 Lunch (inside) and Recess (playground)
11:50 Pick kids up on playground, go to gathering spots
12:15-1:15 (1 hr block) Stations
1:15 Snack
1:30 Sit spots
1:45 Story time/Closing Circle reflections/gratitude (separate classes)
2:00 Inside- Pack up, writing journal/reflection, blog post
Respectfully,
Laura, Sarah, and Adam
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