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Outdoor education is often assumed to require some form of ‘trip’ out of school – and the time commitment and organisation needed can seem daunting to some teachers. Yet there’s one context for outdoor learning that can be used for any subject, at short notice and for little or no cost – the school grounds.
Children learn in different ways. Some learn best through seeing or hearing but many, particularly boys and some pupils with special needs, learn best through doing. Outdoors, children continue to learn through listening and looking but there are also many potential opportunities to take part in hands on learning.
The outdoors can have several advantages for practical learning - there's more space; noise and mess are often seen as less serious issues; and children can try out many real activities. It’s often when some of these learning styles are combined during first-hand experiences that the best learning takes place, because all our senses are being used.
Although any school grounds can offer space and opportunities not available indoors, many schools have developed their grounds to provide specific features. An outdoor classroom – with seating and, ideally, shade and shelter – provides an area to gather together a class, making lesson management outdoors easier. Environmental features can be developed to provide fieldwork opportunities for Science and Geography.
The grounds can also be a showcase for pupil artwork – murals, mosaics and sculptures enhance the environment at the same time as stating the school’s pride in its pupils’ achievements.
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