Outdoor Classrooms

The Center for Environmental Education is a strong supporter of using the outdoors as an integrating context for learning (EIC) and assists schools in a variety of ways to develop and use their school grounds as learning environments. including professional development, curriculum development, project recommendations, developing nature trails, and conducting field studies. If you would like help developing your outdoor classroom please contact the Center for Environmental Education, or click here for information on our list of suggested Wild Site Activities and outdoor classroom toolkit.

It is our goal to assist teachers along the continuum of viewing outdoor classrooms as superficial, supplemental and novel, to a valued resource in which they can apply knowledge in an authentic setting which connects academics from the classroom to outside.

Rationale

The Kentucky Department of Education’s mandated Curriculum Framework identifies six main learner goals for all Kentucky students:

use basic communication and math skills;
apply core concepts and principles from content areas to situations they will encounter throughout their lives;
become a self-sufficient individual;
become a responsible group member;
think and solve problems;
connect and integrate their knowledge (interdisciplinary) in real-life situations

These goals can be addressed through the use of your schoolyard classroom.

The use of outdoor classrooms has been linked to academic success and pride in the community. There have been several studies which demonstrate this academic success as well as environmental stewardship
An action component of the JCPS District Academic Plan addresses the need to increase teacher understanding of Kentucky core content and the implementation of inquiry (investigative) based science and to provide instructional resources necessary for teacher success
The State Education and Environment Roundtable sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts researched Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning and documented better student performance, reduced discipline problems, increased engagement and enthusiasm and greater pride and ownership in accomplishments

Outdoor classrooms are...

places where students learn
ready for use right now
the buildings, the sidewalks, the lawn, the gardens, and the playgrounds
full of mystery

Outdoor Classrooms can...

be never-ending sites for inquiry based science
address the different learning styles of students
be developed into habitats for wildlife
be used for for reading circles, creative writng and observation
weave content areas together
advocate unique and rewarding lifestyles of learning
introduce the wonders of the world with modern technology

In Outdoor Classrooms Students will....

transform infomation and knowledge into experiences and skills
explore their world, generating new ideas and creating drama toward learning
explore patterns, cycles, and change over time
move from awareness to knowledge to understanding
escape from walls that are barriers to learning

The Center for Environmental Education provides extensive professional development opportunities for teachers and support staff wishing to implement integrated, interdisciplinary teaching aligned with Core Content Guides. Visit our Professional Development page or contact the office for more information at 485-3295.