Using the Outdoors - Hybrid Explorations

Melanie Parker, Coordinator

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Ted Hall, Teacher Specialist

AACPS Environmental Literacy & Outdoor Education

• Please put your microphone on mute.

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• It would be nice to see your face!

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• You will be going outside for a few minutes today!

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• This session is being recorded.

Why should we take students outside for learning?

https://www.tes.com/news/watch-sir-ken-robinson-shares-five-reasons-you-should-take-your-class-outside

Not just for science!!!

Earth W O RKS! : Using Wonder & the Outdoors to bring about Real world Knowledge for Students

Community

What can you use for instruction?

Use the Outdoors!

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You will need paper/pencil. Go outside - take a few minutes to just look around at your environment. Then brainstorm how might you use the environment for instruction. Make a list of activities that students might be able to do. No judgements! List anything that comes into your head. After five minutes come back in.

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Click on the link in the chat to go to the jamboard

- answer the question using sticky notes

Use post it notes in the jamboard to describe any activities you would like to share

Using the Outdoors - Hybrid Explorations

Melanie Parker, Coordinator

​

Ted Hall, Teacher Specialist

AACPS Environmental Literacy & Outdoor Education

• Please put your microphone on mute.

​

• It would be nice to see your face!

​

• You will be going outside for a few minutes today!

​

• This session is being recorded.

1: 40-1:45 Break - New Group Joins

Getting Outside with Hybrid

Getting Started

Scenario 1

Short outdoor visit (5-10 minutes): Teacher takes in-person students outdoors with virtual students on phone or computer. Virtual students go outside if possible, or observe with others through teacher device or window.

Scenario 2

Longer outdoor lesson: Teacher takes in-person students outdoors with virtual students on computer. In person students make observations that virtual students record on a data sheet; students bring information to teacher - virtual students record.

Scenario 3

Small group long outdoor lesson: Teacher has class in working groups with at least one in-person student with virtual students. Teacher takes computer with break-out groups; in-person students take chromebooks with their group outside. Student makes observations with group.

Can’t go Outside? Alternative Adaptations-

Have them do this part at recess or for homework.

Have the students go to an open window.

Use the nearpod virtual reality or windowswap website

Preparing

• Check Wi-Fi outside: AACPS-Hotspot Wi-Fi is generally towards parking lot area. Does your phone work where you want to take the students? Do you have access to a hotspot?
• Visit the spaces outdoors you will use - check for any safety or other distractions.
• Notify principal/front office that you will be taking students outdoors - do you need to take school walkie talkie?
• Consider connecting the transition to outdoors with breaks/lunch periods so it reduces the movement.
• Prepare data sheet, gather materials for both in-person and virtual students. Is this something you can do with each in-person group A/B
• Recruit another person to help if possible (could be a student)
• Check the weather
• Inform parents of your plans
• Give clear expectations of students before going outside

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Short Outdoor Visit Example

What’s the weather?

Go outside. Find a place to stand for 1 minute.

As you stand, observe the weather around you. Notice the sky, the feeling of the air on your skin, if there is a breeze, and any other observations about the weather.

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If you cannot go outside - you can observe through the teacher’s device or out a window.

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Record two observations in the chat about the weather today...

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Longer Outdoor Lesson Example

In-person students: In a designated area, count the number of trees. Then take the circumference measurement of 4 trees. Ask students to guess how many breaths of oxygen they take per day. The average person takes 20,000 breaths per day.

1. Using the measuring tapes, have in person students pick a tree and measure its circumference (distance around its trunk) at the height of their shoulders.
2. Virtual students: Record number of trees and circumference. Use the graph to discover how many breaths of oxygen the tree gives each day!
3. Together- Discuss how humans are impacting the world’s forests, positively and negatively, and how we can make a positive impact in the present and future.

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Resources

& Questions

Melanie Parker mdparker@aacps.org

Ted Hall ehall@aacps.org

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More Reasons to take students outside!

Builds a relationship with the environment

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Reduces stress

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Reduces Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms

Improves academic performance

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Makes learning more engaging and relevant

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Enhances cognitive abilities

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Improves nutrition (gardening)

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Improves eyesight

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Increases physical activity

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Improves self-discipline

Unless….

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We connect students to the outdoors and nature, they won’t value nature and ultimately won’t take care of it…..

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Ted Hall