Outdoor classroom hacks that just make sense are becoming my NEW expertise! Are you ready to create your new favorite classroom space at school that you will find new ways to keep using over and over? All the BEST Outdoor Classroom Hacks are right here waiting for you to start using tomorrow!
I‘ve written my ideas before about outdoor classrooms and shared how much I love using a space like this, but today it’s EVEN better. The outdoor classroom space has been hyper focused for me, lately.
Before we discuss the outdoor classroom hacks, let’s just think about the space.
Outdoor Classroom Space
I know that we have so many different types of school facilities:
- Multiple level buildings
- Very large one level buildings
- No easy access to outdoor areas
- No outdoor area really at all
So how do we define this space, and where do we create it?
My Outdoor Classroom Space
My space is right outside of my classroom. Lucky me!
The school facility I teach within was built over 60 years ago when the outdoor concept was very much a part of buildings, meaning that covered outdoor sidewalks led to one door entries into the classrooms. This design created many small courtyard areas outside of the classrooms. The outdoor classroom space I’m currently working in is not that big, maybe about 1000 square feet. Across from my classroom, there is a large covered sidewalk that leads into the Media Center. Students come outside and use this area all the time. First, it started as a place for kids to come outside and read. By changing my perspective of how I looked at the area, I realized…. It’s space, and space can be used. The grass won’t grow there in this awkward space, so what more can happen there than just visual aesthetics?
I can actually utilize the space and my classroom at the same time. Thank you COVID… I started spreading students out with this space and my classroom. I can have some students inside and some outside. You may simply have to create this atmosphere in a hallway, but my hope is that you can actually create a space outdoors.
The First Outdoor Classroom Hack
I had no idea that this is what it would be, but buying quality storage is going to be your best friend for this space. Stop looking for storage in the biggest educational supply company websites. This was my first shift in perspective. Where did I look? I looked at garden storage, pool storage, IKEA(my secret boyfriend), and storage that can be exposed to elements. Oh, and by the way, what if we use some of these in the classroom, too?
Outdoor Classroom Hacks for Storage: Hack #1
My 3 recommendations:
**You will want to get your admin to start looking into options, or you might want to do a DonorsChoose for them to purchase, but all of the options are under $200.
The first one of the outdoor classroom hacks for storage is my absolute favorite:
- It’s a potting table I found on Amazon with a cedar storage area, and on top it has a seamless steel potting area which we do not use for potting. I backed it up to the wall under the catwalk out of the elements, but it was made to be in the elements. Little backsplashes all around the top keep your resources from falling and scattering. I love it because it’s a walk by stop and explore if you want to kind of area! I put items on there that students passing by or using the area can just simply walk up to and start working with. The storage has a fully operational cabinet with two shelves inside and it smells amazing with a natural looking vibe. I keep things in there like outdoor dice, outdoor games, outdoor checkers, and all sorts of things on top of the potting area. I’ve included the link to this particular interactive storage from my Amazon here.
Walk Up and Explore
I’ve created 2 iceberg landscapes on letter paper that I laminated with my personal laminator (LOVE THIS THING!). Next, I placed a few little plastic penguins and a natural wood subtraction and addition set to accompany the manipulatives. Students can create word problems and act out what they’re doing with the penguins on the landscape in that area. Then students can set up equations that match their story creations through play with the penguins.
Back to the Outdoor Classroom Storage Recommendations
- The most used outdoor storage that I have is a 63 inch cedar cabinet with four shelves. Items in here are stored like kinetic sand kits and sensory kits. Many materials for the mud kitchen are also stored here. It’s the most used because it easily stores the most materials and keeps them safe from the elements.
- Then finally my third recommendation is a 71 gallon resin storage that is also a bench students can sit on. It is similar to the ones that you might use near your pool or patio area for cushions and floats. What do I use it for? Large building materials live inside of it. One of the most favorite things that our students are using in this area is a set from Lakeshore that has four towers, ramps, and tubes with a set of balls. Students will build pathways with these materials. It’s meant for students ages 3 to 5. Here’s the SHOCKER! We all struggle, including adults, trying to create these really cool paths for the balls to go down. Why? Autonomy, student exploration through play, and the freedom of choice from student interest and curiosity has been lost in the public school setting. Let’s change perspective again of how we view classroom storage. Most used would be: the essential classroom tub. This outdoor storage can also be used inside and provides seating. Can you possibly create the outdoor classroom indoors if no space is available outdoors?
.
Outdoor Classroom Hack #2
There are so many outdoor things that you can do, BUT the list of learning activities for outside teachers have never thought of using outdoors is endless. Once outside, more connections and questions can develop with our students. In the end school resources are just resources, but take them outside and they evolve into more. Many of our resources are better suited for outdoors because they might be messy. I bet you avoid a lot of these because of the mess they make, but elementary students NEED to get messy, explore, and investigate. Repurpose what you already have for an outdoor classroom activity.
Outdoor Classroom Hack #3
Kinetic sand is so wonderful for students to play with, but it’s not my favorite because of the mess and cost. However, I figured out a hack to solve these problems. Storage for kinetic sand are boxes by Play Therapy. They’re about 2 feet long and one foot wide. These super sturdy and roomy boxes allow for play right in the box without the mess and loss of sand.
Outdoor Classroom Hack #4.
Splash mats! Splash mats that go under high chairs are perfect for students to spread out on the sidewalk and grass. Not only are they waterproof, but they create a larger play area for items like kinetic sand and sensory kits. Splash mats are cleaned easily so any item on the mat can go back into storage boxes and be saved. Kinetic sand can be used over and over. Not only are they material savers, but when materials have lots of little parts it gives a defined play area for students and all the parts. I keep all the mats in the taller cedar storage so they are ready for students at any time! These outdoor classroom hacks just can’t be beat!
Make Your Own Outdoor Classroom Space
Now… I’ve told you about my space. What can you do for your space? You may already have an outdoor classroom. These are some things that you can do to make it better. You may not have one, but you have a way to get outside. A perfect idea for a classroom project is to allow students to help you find an area and define it!
- Let’s create a space for students to have an outdoor classroom that is well defined.
- Survey school areas, figure out the best place for it to be.
- It does not have to be like any other ones you’ve seen. Change the perspective to fit your school.
- If you don’t have catwalks and covered areas like I do, what can you do?
- Keep storage and materials near the end of the hallway where you’re going to be exiting the building to the outside. Save your energy!
- Most people think of outdoor classrooms with raised beds, gardening, and those types of things, but I want you to start thinking more for this space. It’s just a space to get outside and do so many STEM and interest creating activities.
- The most important thing here is to make sure that those materials are accessible to you and your students, and that’s why you need the storage near that area. That is the biggest most important word of advice and hack that I can give you.
- Still stumped on what’s possible? Take a look at Outdoor Classroom STEM for Upper and Lower Elementary. Lessons include ELA, Science, Writing… you name it, it’s possible!
Outdoor Classroom Hack #5: Management
As the brain develops, learning is best retained through exploration and figuring things out through discovery. Our students are missing these experiences during regular instruction. Without these experiences stored in long-term memory, it’s hard for the brain to connect with new information and develop questions. Curiosity is the #1 way to engage students. We do this by offering choice in areas like an Outdoor Classroom. Teachers love to control and prevent problems. It’s our nature. Outdoor classroom hacks are great to know, but the fact that students need more autonomy and exploration time to learn is totally scientifically backed.
So how do we manage and allow for choice? Commonly many teachers rotate students through independent stations, but that’s not always the best way because there is no choice or student autonomy. So what can we do?
Here’s the rule.
The best hack I have: The Open and Closed Rule
For the activities in the outdoor space I use everyday, I share what students may work on during that time. It usually consists of around 10 different activities.
- Open means there are less than two people at a station or activity.
- Closed means there are two people at that station.
- Students may travel between open activities as much as they would like to. I always ask them to tidy up a little before leaving an area.
- No one can encourage a person or beg them to leave a closed group.
- Use different categories like birthday months to get students started at stations in a scaffolded start up way.
- Every now and then when there’s a really popular station, if someone who’s been there for 20 minutes, I might encourage them to find something else, but some activities just take longer times.
- Problems? I’ve had zero.
Kids move back and forth at their own pace. They take care of the items, and they’re super excited and engaged. The Open and Closed Rule is a gold mine. Please try it out. Grab a FREE Open and Closed Rule Poster, as well as my totally favorite Listening and Speaking Skills poster for conversations. You can also check out one of the latest episodes of the I Heart STEAM Teacher Podcast on these outdoor classroom hacks!
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