Today is a day to motivate, celebrate (or even re-invigorate) outdoor education. When teaching and learning outside, there are so many opportunities to seize.

Poems of Sunshine and Life Skills

Outdoor education helps build character traits that invariably develop life skills. For instance, not too long ago, it was a grey, cool and damp day - a highly uninspiring climate for my class to write some poetry. Periodic short gusts of wind blew papers up from the clipboards, while wooden pencils secured them. Hands were writing harder to capture their final thoughts before the wind picked up again. Before the next gust, the whistle blew and it was time to go in. As we welcomed the shelter of our classroom, smiles of relief filled the room. We took a moment for each student to share their poem of sunshine that did not exist that day.

Although this lesson was about fostering creativity and writing poems, it also ended up being about character development too. As each gust of wind made it more difficult to continue on outside while staying inspired, it demonstrated a sense of tolerance, determination and resilience in my students. After everyone was done sharing their work, with a smile on my face, I said to myself, “I don't think that lesson was in the text book.”

Forts and Social Connections

Another important lesson that is connected to outdoor education is the complex way in which connections are forged. One morning, my students and I walked to a usual place in a park nearby. The same group of kids ran up ahead chanting unusual phrases and shared inside jokes while cackling all the way through the path. I would like to be able to share their laughter and humour, but enough years have passed to say that I am on the opposite end of the generation gap from the students.

Notwithstanding the years and experiences that stand between me and my students, being outside together created a bridge between us; allowing us to share aspects of who we are.

Some weeks ago, a few students asked if we were going to explore an area a bit northwest of where we were. Naturally, I asked why. They revealed that they have a fort. To be honest, I did not realize kids still did this. As they explained more about this special place, the feeling of nostalgia passed through me as I recalled a similar situation many years before. Almost abruptly, one of the kids piped up and said, “We should all go there one day!” I replied, “Great idea!” They scurried off before I could thank them for inviting the class to a place they value.

For a few minutes I stood there alone thinking of how although time passes, leaving gaps from one generation to the next, somehow we find connections that allow gaps to be bridged. Being outside allows us to unwittingly reveal different sides of who we are and how we relate to place. Before I could give it more thought, I looked at the time and realized it was time to go.

We headed back. The chants started. They cracked a joke. I do not comprehend the humour...but I understand so much more.

News Reports and Nature Connections

Finally, outdoor education provides students with the capacity for a “hands on” experience, which is of remarkable value because they learn how to engage the environment responsibly. Well over a year ago, we had the opportunity to investigate the quality of the local storm drain pond. The inquiry led us to produce “news reports” to better understand what social, economic and ecological factors contributed to the health of the pond.

I recall walking around as students filmed their findings, listening to them confidently grapple with new vocabulary. There was a moment of proudness that could not be wiped off of anyone’s face when they said words such as benthic macroinvertebrates, turbidity and watershed.

But it wasn't just the vocabulary and the science. It was about the eagerness to determine the condition of the community and ways to make improvements. Each news report generated urgency and care about how even the smallest actions taken can lead to changes.  

The end of the year came and we were discussing ways to celebrate. At the top of the list of “things to do” was to watch the water study news reports. Students said, “Those were fun!”

Teaching outdoors always brings out different experiences; sometimes a little more intellectual, sometimes more social, sometimes more visceral and sometimes a combination of things. Because of the experiences it facilitates, outdoor education creates valuable opportunities that help deepen learning at various scales such as self, others, place and the world.

So today, or any day, motivate, celebrate or re-invigorate outdoor learning. Happy Outdoor Classroom Day!

Marina Nikolovski is a primary teacher at the Palermo Public School in Oakville in the Halton District School Board.  She is currently teaching grade 8. Marina is an seasoned outdoor educator and graduated from several of our Nature Academy courses! Marina also participated in our Changing Currents program for the first time this spring.