There are many things I love about homeschooling our kids. The biggest thing is the fact that we are able to work from home while having the kids with us. We also have the ability to make learning more eventful than they could receive in a brick and mortar school. One of those ways is by taking learning outside.
I can’t express how much I love the fall season. If I could live outside during the fall season almost all the time I do declare I would! We went to the annual SC homeschool picnic. While we were there they had a cute little buoyance contest for the kids. Delbert won it by making a boat out of aluminum foil that held the most pennies without sinking. I am a proud mother because I didn’t help him with his creation at all!
Then they gave us a scavenger hunt list. The kids and I didn’t do that per say. However, while we were walking we did see some frogs that were camouflaging really well into the dirt. It opened up the science lesson on camouflaging and animal adaptation. Which is exactly the same topic we were covering in Delbert’s workbook all throughout last week. Tell me if you can find the frog in this picture?
There are so many ways that we can enhance our children’s learning experience by taking learning outside. I am in total amazement by the amount of kids who are not outside as much as I was when I was growing up. (Even my own kids are guilty of that!) We have long days of lessons with our heads buried in their textbooks and workbooks and not to mention using technology for learning. However, this trip reminded me and gave me ideas that it doesn’t always have to be this way.
What are some ways in which you can think of for taking learning outside?
15 Comments
This is a great idea, there is so much just right outside I can do with my son to teach him (and learn alongside him)…nature has so much to offer alone.
That is true it does. I can definitely agree with you on that one.
We actually traveled a lot when we homeschooled to give our daughter experiences she would not get in a classroom. When she was a high school freshman we went to Portugal, Gibraltar and Spain with her. She learned so much about those countries, cultures and world history by seeing and being in those places than she could have from a textbook.
Wow, I wish I could have gone with you. Of course, that would mean flying and I’m not to keen on flying. That does sound like an awesome way to learn for sure.
My kids love taking their learning outside. Sometimes I read their lessons outdoors, or we do some nature journaling.
Scavenger hunts are a great way to take the learning outside!
We take learning outside simply by working outside. Just the change of scenery makes the lessons more engaging. We also go for nature walks, do our messy projects, etc. outside.
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a lovely week.
xoxo
We often took our kids outside just for a change of scenery. We also studied the countries we would be visiting on our cruises, and we did educational excursions while in those countries. We’ve even done school at the beach or by the pool. Kids just love to be outside.
Kids do love to be outside, and it definitely improves their attitudes all the way around.
Something magical happens when we get outdoors with our children. Today was one of those “off days” for us. We accomplished almost nothing that was on my plan for the day. By noon I was going with the flow and purposing not to stress out about our lack of productivity. We happened upon some friends that were working in their new garden and spent an hour spreading mulch and dreaming about the garden. This kids were thrilled. By dinner they were talking about what a great day it was… All because of an hour helping out friends outside.
We need to continue to purpose to get outside with our kids daily!
You’re right something magical does happen when we take learning outside. It’s so hard to explain.
I’m glad that you and your kids took the time to help your neighbor with their garden. I’m sure they enjoyed having you all as much as you enjoyed being there. Life is about enjoying those little moments like that.
I love the outdoors and the fall season is the perfect time to enjoy it. Learning outside is energizing and gives kids a new perspective.
I totally agree. I’m itching to go outside right now, but I can’t work outside anymore. 🙁 I hope to get our work done early enough today to get outside again.
When I taught, I would love to take the kids out and read to them after lunch and even do reading outside. I don’t think they let teachers do that anymore in our school–everyone has to be so careful, but learning outside, especially science when we see all of God’s creation, would be wonderful!
It is truly amazing! I don’t know if they allow i in our school systems now either, but I know it would be definitely improve everyone’s mood if hey were able to do it.