How to Bring Every Subject to Life Outdoors

Teaching Outside the Classroom: How to Bring Every Subject to Life Outdoors

For many children, the traditional classroom setting can feel restrictive and uninspiring. However, by taking lessons outside, teachers can transform learning into a dynamic and engaging experience. Teaching outside isn’t just for PE; it can be an effective strategy for any subject, bringing creativity and excitement to all areas of the curriculum. Here’s how educators can make the most of the great outdoors and why this approach offers so many benefits.

Why Take Learning Outside?

The benefits of outdoor learning are vast. Studies show that children who learn outside are often more engaged, motivated, and better able to retain information. Being in a natural environment can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve overall well-being. It can also encourage physical activity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Plus, it brings learning to life by connecting classroom concepts to the real world in a way that’s meaningful and memorable.

Strategies for Teaching Different Subjects Outside

1. English and Literacy
Take reading and writing outside to tap into students’ creativity. Use natural surroundings to inspire descriptive writing or poetry. You might ask students to observe their environment closely, noting the sights, sounds, and smells around them, and then craft a story or poem based on their experience. For group reading, find a quiet spot under a tree or in the school garden to create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages discussion and critical thinking.

2. Maths
Maths can be incredibly engaging when taught outdoors. Use natural materials like leaves, stones, or sticks to teach counting, grouping, and basic arithmetic. Older students can measure objects or spaces, calculate distances, or graph data they collect from nature. Create a treasure hunt that involves solving maths problems to move from one clue to the next, or use playground equipment to explore geometry concepts like angles, shapes, and symmetry.

3. Science
The outdoors is a natural classroom for science lessons. Whether it’s studying plant life, observing wildlife, or examining weather patterns, nature provides countless opportunities for hands-on experiments. Encourage students to explore ecosystems, collect samples for analysis, or observe and document changes in their environment. You can also use the outdoor space to conduct simple physics experiments, like testing the effects of gravity or friction on different surfaces.

4. History
History comes alive when taken outside. Organise a history-themed scavenger hunt, where students search for objects that represent different historical periods or events. If you’re teaching local history, take students on a walking tour of historical sites in the area. Recreate historical events through role-playing exercises outside, where students can physically engage in re-enacting key moments, helping them better understand and remember historical facts.

5. Art and Design
Art is a natural fit for outdoor learning. You can encourage students to use natural materials such as leaves, rocks, or flowers in their artwork, or to create sculptures from twigs and stones. Observational drawing and painting becomes more vibrant when done outdoors, where students can capture the light, colour, and texture of their surroundings. Outdoor photography projects can also encourage creativity, and students can explore the use of perspective, composition, and contrast in a real-world setting.

6. Physical Education
PE is often associated with outdoor learning, but think beyond traditional sports. Incorporate activities like nature hikes, orienteering, and obstacle courses that combine physical activity with problem-solving and teamwork. Teach students about the importance of physical fitness through activities like yoga or stretching exercises that can be done in the fresh air, promoting mindfulness and overall well-being.

7. Geography
The world outside is the perfect classroom for geography. Explore local landforms, weather patterns, and ecosystems. Use maps and compasses to teach students navigation skills or engage them in activities that involve identifying and categorising local flora and fauna. A trip outside can also help explain larger concepts like erosion, the water cycle, or urban planning, giving students a first-hand understanding of how the world around them works.

Tips and Strategies for Teachers

1. Plan and Prepare
Outdoor lessons require thoughtful planning. Ensure you have clear objectives for what you want to achieve and how outdoor activities will meet curriculum goals. Be prepared with all the necessary materials and make sure to consider weather conditions and accessibility.

2. Create a Flexible Schedule
Not every lesson needs to be taught outside, but aim to make it a regular part of your teaching routine. Flexibility is key – use outdoor lessons when they naturally fit into the curriculum or when the weather is particularly inviting.

3. Utilise Local Resources
You can make use of your school grounds, nearby parks, gardens, or local historical sites. Partner with local organisations, such as museums, wildlife centres, or community groups, to enhance your outdoor learning experience.

4. Embrace Nature as a Learning Tool
Encourage students to observe and interact with their environment. Ask open-ended questions that provoke curiosity and critical thinking. For example, “Why do you think this plant grows here?” or “How do the weather conditions affect our experiment?”

5. Encourage Teamwork and Collaboration
Outdoor learning is a great opportunity for collaborative projects. Use group work to solve problems, conduct experiments, or create art. This not only fosters teamwork but also helps build communication skills.

6. Ensure Safety and Comfort
Before heading outside, establish clear rules and guidelines to keep students safe. Make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather, and have access to water, shade, and toilet facilities. It’s also essential to be aware of any allergies or medical conditions that might affect outdoor activities.

Benefits of Teaching Outside

• Enhanced Engagement: Outdoor learning can captivate students’ interest by making subjects more dynamic and interactive.
• Improved Focus: Natural settings can reduce stress and improve concentration, helping students retain information better.
• Physical Health: Fresh air and physical activity promote overall health and well-being.
• Social Skills: Collaborative activities outside the classroom help students develop better communication and teamwork skills.
• Real-World Application: Bringing learning into the real world helps students see the relevance and application of their studies, making the information more meaningful and memorable.

Conclusion

Teaching outside can transform the educational experience for both students and teachers. By bringing lessons to life in a natural setting, educators can inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Whether it’s a simple outdoor reading session or a complex science experiment on the school grounds, every subject can benefit from the fresh air and boundless opportunities of the great outdoors. So, step outside and watch as your students rediscover the joy of learning.

The author

Charlotte Camplejohn

Charlotte Camplejohn, BA, MA, is an experienced social scientist and researcher, with a background spanning health, education and social care. Charlotte has a particular interest in the field of children and families. Charlotte has worked in both the public and voluntary sector, with a particular focus on bridging the gap between operational activity and strategic planning. Charlotte has a background in delivering training to a broad range of professionals, applying for large funding pots on behalf of voluntary organisations and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Charlotte is a mum of four, has over a decade of experience as a school governor and several years experience as Chair, and has written a parenting and lifestyle blog called Mummy Fever for the last decade.