Course Content: Outdoor Phonics Training Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach
The Outdoor Phonics Training course equips educators with the skills and confidence to deliver phonics lessons outdoors. By using the Muddy Puddle Teacher (MPT) approach, this training helps educators make phonics engaging, hands-on, and memorable. The course provides strategies to teach all phonics phases (1-6) through active learning, natural resources, and sensory exploration.
Course Costs
- £250 for full access.
- Schools can pay by invoice.
- UK schools can use sports and pupil premium.
Course Goals
- Understand the benefits of teaching outdoor phonics.
- Learn practical outdoor strategies for teaching phonics phases 1-6.
- Use natural resources to deliver engaging, curriculum-linked lessons.
- Foster a love for literacy through movement and play.
- Build confidence in managing outdoor phonics activities.
Course Timeline
- 4 hours of learning: Flexible, self-paced format.
- 1-year access to course materials and resources.
Course Modules
Module 1: The Benefits of Outdoor Phonics
- Learning Objectives:
- Explore the benefits of teaching phonics in outdoor settings.
- Understand how movement and sensory play enhance phonics learning.
- Key Topics:
- Why outdoor phonics? The impact on engagement and retention.
- How the MPT approach supports diverse learning styles.
- Practical Task:
- Reflect on current phonics practices and identify ways to adapt them for the outdoors.
Module 2: Teaching Phase-Specific Phonics Outdoors
- Learning Objectives:
- Gain strategies for teaching all phonics phases outdoors.
- Tailor activities to meet curriculum requirements.
- Key Topics:
- Phase 1: Environmental sounds and rhythm games using nature.
- Phase 2: Teaching single sounds with sensory activities (e.g., writing letters in mud).
- Phase 3: Digraphs and trigraphs through play and tactile exploration.
- Phase 4: Blending and segmenting games outdoors.
- Phase 5-6: Practicing fluency and spelling with natural resources.
- Practical Task:
- Design an outdoor phonics activity for your target phase.
Module 3: Creating Phonics-Friendly Outdoor Spaces
- Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to use outdoor spaces effectively for phonics lessons.
- Design flexible, engaging setups with minimal resources.
- Key Topics:
- Using natural materials (e.g., sticks, stones, leaves) for letter and word games.
- Creating phonics zones: sensory trails, word walls, and letter scavenger hunts.
- Seasonal adaptations for outdoor phonics.
- Practical Task:
- Sketch a layout for an outdoor phonics session in your setting.
Module 4: Active and Play-Based Phonics Activities
- Learning Objectives:
- Incorporate movement, play, and exploration into phonics lessons.
- Make phonics fun and accessible for all learners.
- Key Topics:
- Outdoor games like “phoneme hopscotch” and sound treasure hunts.
- Role-play activities to practice blending and segmenting words.
- Writing and reading outdoors using chalk, sticks, and mud.
- Practical Task:
- Plan and trial a play-based phonics activity for a group of learners.
Module 5: Inclusivity in Outdoor Phonics
- Learning Objectives:
- Adapt outdoor phonics activities for children with SEND and EAL.
- Use outdoor settings to engage reluctant readers and writers.
- Key Topics:
- Strategies for inclusive outdoor phonics lessons.
- Visual aids and sensory materials for diverse learners.
- Building confidence and fostering a love for literacy.
- Practical Task:
- Create an inclusive phonics session tailored to your learners’ needs.
Module 6: Managing Safety and Logistics
- Learning Objectives:
- Plan safe and effective outdoor phonics sessions.
- Manage time, space, and group dynamics in outdoor settings.
- Key Topics:
- Conducting risk assessments for outdoor phonics activities.
- Planning for weather and accessibility challenges.
- Tips for smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor learning.
- Practical Task:
- Write a risk assessment for a specific outdoor phonics activity.
Course Resources
- Printable outdoor phonics activity guides.
- Phase-specific templates and lesson plans.
- Seasonal phonics resource packs.
- Risk assessment and safety checklists.
- Access to the Muddy Puddle Teacher phonics toolkit.
Certification
Participants who complete the course will receive:
- A Certificate in Outdoor Phonics Training using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach.
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Why Outdoor Phonics is a Game-Changer for Early Literacy
Phonics forms the foundation of early literacy, helping children develop the skills they need to read, write, and communicate. While traditional classroom settings are effective, taking phonics outdoors introduces an element of creativity and excitement that can transform learning. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher (MPT) approach, educators can teach phonics in ways that engage multiple senses, build confidence, and inspire a love for literacy.
Here’s why outdoor phonics works, how it benefits learners, and how you can implement it effectively.
1. Engages All Senses
Outdoor phonics activates multiple senses by incorporating natural materials and outdoor exploration. Children can trace letters in mud, build words with sticks, or identify sounds in their environment, strengthening memory and comprehension (Children and Nature Network).
2. Promotes Active Learning
Research shows that movement enhances learning, especially for younger children. Activities like “phoneme hopscotch” or sound scavenger hunts allow students to practice phonics while improving coordination and focus (Edutopia).
3. Makes Learning Fun and Engaging
Outdoor settings bring an element of novelty to phonics lessons. Students are more engaged when exploring, creating, and playing while learning. This enthusiasm translates into better retention and enjoyment of literacy skills (Teach Active).
4. Supports Diverse Learners
Outdoor phonics is especially effective for children with SEND or EAL. Visual aids, tactile resources, and open spaces make phonics more accessible and less intimidating. It’s a great way to level the playing field and ensure all children thrive (Forest School Association).
5. Aligns with the Curriculum
Outdoor phonics isn’t just fun; it’s purposeful. By linking outdoor activities to curriculum objectives, educators can teach blending, segmenting, and tricky words meaningfully. For example, scavenger hunts can focus on identifying digraphs or trigraphs (BBC Bitesize).
6. Builds Vocabulary Through Exploration
Exploring outdoor environments introduces children to new words and concepts, enriching their vocabulary. Describing what they see, hear, and feel reinforces their language understanding and helps with storytelling (Scholastic).
7. Encourages Collaboration and Social Skills
Outdoor phonics often involves team-based activities, such as group spelling games or collaborative sound hunts. These activities promote communication, cooperation, and peer learning (Education Endowment Foundation).
8. Fosters Environmental Awareness
Phonics activities can double as lessons in sustainability and nature appreciation. Building words with natural materials or identifying environmental sounds teaches literacy alongside eco-stewardship (WWF UK Education Resources).
9. Adaptable to All Seasons
Outdoor phonics is highly adaptable, making it suitable for year-round learning. Children can write words with fallen leaves in autumn, while in winter, they might draw letters in the snow. Seasonal changes keep lessons fresh and exciting (Learning Through Landscapes).
10. Boosts Mental Well-Being
Spending time outdoors reduces stress and promotes emotional regulation. Phonics lessons in nature allow children to connect with their environment while fostering a calm and positive mindset for learning (National Trust).
How to Get Started
- Plan Activities: Start small with phonics games like “sound treasure hunts” or writing letters in mud.
- Use Natural Resources: Incorporate leaves, stones, and sticks for tactile learning.
- Get Inspired: Explore the Muddy Puddle Teacher website for resources and ideas.
