Change of Scenery

In this day in age so many children have a hard time focusing in classrooms. No one is comfortable sitting in the same room for six hours a day listening to their teachers talk. Students are confined in a room with four walls all day long. Some students do not even see what outside looks like until dismissal. Some families do not have the resources such as space to bring their children outside all of the time so some might be stuck inside every day. Teachers should take the opportunity to have class outside.

Teachers do not have to bring their students outside every day but a couple of times throughout the month would help the child. They would receive fresh air, a new learning environment as well as a new way of learning.  The best part is that it is completely free to do, you just walk right outside.

You could make learning more engaging by having your class taught outside. It is possible for teachers to have their lessons be relevant for what they are discussing and apply it outside especially for younger children. For example you could have a math lesson on addition and have children use acorns to solve it. Some children are hands on learners so it might help them to understand the material better.

It might also help reduce behavior problems in the classroom. You could have going outside to be a motivation for some children. For example if the class behaves for a week you could go outside for an hour to have your English class. Students go through a lot emotionally it could be beneficial for their health.  

In Spencer Massachusetts there was an Elementary school called Lake Street, the building had to be torn down in 2015 because so many children had been sick because of poor air quality in the building. All the children had to be moved to different schools as well as the teachers. If classrooms are in old buildings it could have bad air quality as well so by bringing the students outside it would be beneficial for their health. Fresh air never killed anyone. If the children are receiving fresh air it could help improve attendance because your students wouldn’t be sick as much so they would continue to be in school.

So teachers, grab your lesson plans and head for the great outdoors. Learn to explore and teach in a new environment, what’s the worst that could happen?