![]() ![]() To promote and enable outdoor education and activity |
Theory and Practice (Pedagogy):
Udeskole “Outdoor School” In Scandinavia: Teaching and Learning in Natural Places Children Nature Network.
History, benefits and practice of outdoor education in a Scandinavian context.
A Brief History of Forest School West Coast Forest School.
History of forest schools beginning in Scandinavia, spreading throughout Europe and the United Kingdom and growth in Canada
The outdoor environment in Norwegian kindergartens as pedagogical space for toddlers' play, learning and development Mosera, T. & Martinsen, M
"This study examines some characteristics of the outdoor environment in Norwegian kindergartens. Understood as pedagogical space, outdoor conditions may enhance or restrict the youngest children's possibilities for play, learning and development”
Get Outdoors: An Educators Guide to Outdoor Classrooms WildBC, BC Parks, Parks Canada, Metro Vancouver, and the Ministry of Education
Step-by-step guide for teachers from K – 12 in getting their students outside and engaged in experiencing the outdoor classroom.
Outdoor Classroom Users Guide Boston Schoolyard Initiative.
A how-to guide on facilitating outdoor classrooms including sustainable designing, biodiversity recommendations, classroom management tips and how to structure lessons.
Classroom Management: Outdoor Teaching Strategies Toyota Ever Green Learning Grounds.
Suggestions for outdoor classroom curious teachers, grouping recommendations, lesson planning tips, outdoor activity recommendations.
Outdoor Learning and Schools Reopening Inside Out.
Benefits of outdoor learning for schools reopening during COVID-19 and a sample of how daily outdoor classroom can be facilitated.
Experiential Learning Toolkits and Modules University of Calgary.
Free experiential learning resources for curriculum development/facilitation including toolkits and modules.
Playful Learning Outdoors Megan Zeni.
Playful outdoor learning activity resources for curriculum development/facilitation
A Year of Outdoor Homework Learning Through Landscapes.
Free outdoor-based homework adaptable for children of all ages.
imaginED
imaginED is a blog designed to support and enable imagination-focused teaching in all contexts ages.
Discover the Fun of Backyard Geology
Free outdoor-based project adaptable for children of all ages.
Tips and Tricks (How to dress etc.):
Outdoor Classroom: What To Wear Chelsea Forest School.
Interactive video explaining how to dress appropriately in an outdoor classroom for the weather.
10 Tips For Teaching Outside the Classroom Megan Zeni.
Tips to help ensure teachers (from any background) are equipped to teach in an outdoor classroom successfully.
Dressing For The Cold Sick Kids
How to layer clothing to ensure warmth and comfort on cold weather days.
Dressing For a Cold Day in Forest School Brooklyn Forest.
Clothing suggestions for children/youth participating in outdoor-based classrooms.
How To Dress For Forest School Oro Medonte Forest School.
Seasonal clothing suggestions for children/youth participating in outdoor-based classrooms.
Infrastructure Ideas:
Outdoor Infrastructure Planning Strategies for Taking Learning Outside as Schools Reopen Green Schoolyards America
Small scale and large scale infrastructure recommendations for transitioning classrooms outside during COVID-19 including downloadable tools and resources.
Building an Outdoor Classroom Naturescale for Educators
Guidance on how to get an outdoor classroom started including starting infrastructure to use instead of building permanent infrastructure.
The Scandinavian Outdoor Classroom Nordic Outdoors
Tentipi Kåtas is a structural option for outdoor classroom shelter.
Health and Safety Guidelines:
Risk Mitigation COVID-19 (child and youth) Government of Canada
“This tool will assist school boards and operators of child and youth settings in considering risks to children/youth, staff and volunteers during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and provide examples of strategies that may be implemented to mitigate potential risks.”
Health and Safety Plan For a Safe Return to Schools New Westminster Schools
Guidance for a safe return to schools in Canada (New Westminster), including recommendations for outdoor-based learning and activities.
Other:
BUILDING OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS: Fundraising Focus on Forests, Ontario Forestry Association, TD Friends of Environment Foundation
A resource to support, inspire and enable successful fundraising towards building an outdoor classroom
Established Outdoor Classrooms:
Canada:
Alpenglow, Canmore, AB.
Foragers School of Nature, Squamish, BC.
Fresh Air Learning, North Vancouver, BC.
Little Ness Forest Fairy Kids, Salt Spring Island, BC.
Soaring Eagle Nature School, Vancouver, BC.
Terra Nova Nature School, Richmond, BC.
Victoria Nature School, Victoria, BC.
Tír na nÓg Forest School, Saint John, NB.
Hazelwood Elementary, St. Johns, NL.
Guelph Outdoor Preschool, Guelph. ON.
Maplewood Forest School, Guelph, ON.
Equinox Holistic Alternative School (Equinox), Toronto, ON.
Tawingo College, Huntsville, ON.
Chelsea Cooperative Nature School, Chelsea, QC.