Snapshot
Let The Water Flow
October 2016 Presentation:
Area of Focus and/or Research Question:
Will an outdoor classroom increase student and teacher engagement and enable students to initiate their own learning experiences?
I observed students within my classroom during outside time. Some students were active during this time but others were not. Of those who were active, the play observed was mainly large motor in nature with some dramatic play being observed.
I did some research on outdoor classrooms using the website outdoorclassroomproject.org. There are many benefits to having the outside area as an extension of the classroom. Young children naturally have a sense of curiosity and will actively explore their environment. Outdoor time can be used for much more than just large motor development. Hands-on experiences, social-emotional growth through peer interaction, and multifaceted approaches to cognitive development can all be part of an outdoor area. Research indicates that young children will be able to take what they have been taught in the classroom and apply it, if given the right resources.
Action Plan:
My plan is to make a water play stream for the outside play area. The stream will run into a basin where the water will go through a drain and be re-circulated using a hand pump. We will also make a small container pond.
