Tips for Teaching Outside

Teaching outside the traditional classroom setting isn't as daunting as it might initially appear. In fact, with the right mindset and a few practical strategies, it can become an enriching experience for educators and students alike. Whether you're looking to shake up the routine, connect with nature, or simply take advantage of the nice weather, embracing the outdoors as an extension of your teaching space is a fantastic way to bring new energy and excitement into your lessons. Here are six ways to make teaching outside more approachable and ensure everyone, grown-ups included, has a positive experience.

Adaptation is Everything

Just like in the classroom, pivots will always need to be made when we’re with students (or really any other humans). Having the resources you feel comfortable with in a “go bag” so you can bring all your backup supplies and a first aid kit out with you could be a way to prepare in advance for teaching outdoors and could smooth bumps that come up when you’re out with students. 

Start with a Story

Grounding, literally and figuratively, can be helpful for both teachers and students. Staring your time outside with a story of a recent or not-so-recent experience you had outside can bring students into the moment and give them a chance to drop into their surroundings. Telling your students about the last time you experienced awe or remarked on nature’s beauty can create the opportunity to bring students’ senses front of mind. 

Our Biggest Goal is a Positive Experience… Grown-Ups Included!! 

At the end of the day, our biggest goal when bringing students outdoors is a positive experience for everyone, grownups included. It may not always be possible, depending on the students we have and the things we encounter when we’re out, but having it in the back of our minds can bring all the other worries and goals that need to be addressed into perspective. In many ways, as educators we are building students’ relationships with nature and the outdoors, which they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives. In doing so, providing as many positive experiences as possible is a crucial part of ensuring we have generations of environmental stewards to come. (No pressure). 

Meet Them Where They Are

We never know what students might bring with them outside, the stories or experiences they’ve had within a similar setting that will impact our experience with them. With kiddos who are new to the woods, sometimes spending a whole class period experiencing the slime and peculiarities of mushrooms is part of the process of becoming comfortable with being outside. For some students, they may not even get that far. Sometimes, sitting in the grass close to school and focusing on things we can find in the grass is a wonderful way to start.

You Don’t Have to Know All the Answers

As folks with four-year, higher education degrees in some aspect of nature, you’d think we’d be walking encyclopedias. But alas, even for the Maine TREE staff, we still use tools to help us identify species outside (even trees sometimes; don’t tell the other foresters!). Being experts in ecosystems or the environment isn’t a prerequisite for bringing kiddos outside. Questions that come up can provide organic and enthusiastic projects for students to lead. In fact, one of our favorite nature journaling prompts for adults and students alike is “I notice… I wonder… It reminds me of…” leading the writer on a process of curiosity in the small phenomena around them. 

Tap into Local Resources

When the perceivably unanswerable questions do arise, fear not! Maine is saturated with natural resource professionals, like foresters, environmental educators, and land trust staff, who would love to guide you and your students to answers or something interesting and engaging that’s close to an answer. We’re always happy to connect you with some friendly, professional nature nerds to provide you with some enrichment and community integration when bringing your students outside.