6 easy ways to set up an outdoor classroom
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Summary – 6 easy ways to set up an outdoor classroom
Setting up an outdoor classroom for your outdoor learning is a great idea for these reasons:
• Children will become familiar to the space and will recognise this as a classroom rather than playtime.
• SEND children will be comforted by returning to a fixed place each time.
• It will save you time as you can leave resources here ready for your sessions.
• It promotes what you are doing.
• It means that others can be outside and know not to disturb you in that area.
• You can display your learning in that space and know it will not be tampered with at playtimes.
How to create an outdoor classroom: A step-by-step guide
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If you are a whole school, delegate these areas so you all share the workload:
• Choose an area of your outdoor space to be the outdoor classroom.
• Call a mechanic and get enough tyres to corner that area off so others are aware not to go in it unless told otherwise. Tyres are free and by upcycling them you are also saving the environment. If you need lots, often the mechanics will deliver them to you, so ask.
• Now you should have a cornered and sectioned off area. Time to give it a name. Naming it will help you all use the same language and understand and promote your efforts.
• Next call a tree surgeon or several. Find out if they have any stumps or bits of wood that would be suitable for a seating area. A seating area is very useful for you when you want to pause for reflection or introduce areas of learning.
• Now be brave and consider calling local garden centres and large stores like a B&Q and Homebase. Sometimes they offer community funding and may donate planks of wood and crates for you to use.
• The last and final part is to ensure you have resources to use when you start your teaching. Use the tyres to fill them with resources such as sticks, conkers, acorns, leaves, yoghurt pots, milk bottle lids, rocks, bamboo sticks of various sizes. These are the basic resources and as staff start to come out more often, they will add to the tyres as they become familiar with this type and way of teaching. Also, your seasons will change and so will what goes in those tyres. Get FREE resources and train as a Muddy Puddle Teacher at www.themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk
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f you are still struggling with ideas, do not hesitate to book a Zoom meeting with one of our consultants. You can walk us around your space and we can help you create a perfect outdoor classroom, tailored to you!
Email info@themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk or use Live Chat for any questions you may have.
