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This week, teach your students how to set goals. Then have your students write down a list of goals they’d like to accomplish this summer. Be sure to include things that get them outdoors in the fresh air. Start by brainstorming as a class, then have the students write down their own list. Invite them …

This mother’s day, help mom enjoy some time outdoors. Here are some ideas:  Set up a hammock so she can read or nap outside  Take a hike together Have a picnic  Visit a new park  Go for a family bike ride Play Frisbee golf  Go kayaking or canoeing Pick a wildflower bouquet together Attend an …

Have you ever heard a rat-a-tat-tat sound outside your window? Chances are there’s a woodpecker nearby! There are twenty-two species of woodpeckers in North America living in forests, woodlands, farms, and even backyards. They range from southern Texas to the eastern tip of New York.  Although woodpecker species share some similarities, such as favorite foods …

Join other classes around the world for Outdoor Classroom Day on May 23! To find out more and to sign up, click here.    Photo by GaborFromHungary

Spring is blooming! Visit your local library and check out some flower identification books. Then find some wildflowers in your area and identify what kind they are. You may want to take along a nature journal to make a record of what you see.    Photo by Fracticality

Haiku is a form of poetry that originated in Japan. It is made up of 17 syllables in 3 lines that usually don’t rhyme. Traditionally, haiku focuses on the natural world. This week, have your students write their own haiku about nature. Just follow the form below:  LINE 1: 5 syllables LINE 2: 7 syllables …

This weekend, find a local farm to visit. Since it’s springtime, chances are you’ll get to see some calves, lambs, or kids while you’re there.    Photo by carolwerner   

All you need for this creative activity are some smooth pebbles, canvas boards, and twigs. Click here to find out how to get started. 

This weekend, head outdoors with your favorite color of chalk and get creative! If you don’t have a paved driveway or sidewalk, ask around to see if there’s somewhere else you could draw. The local churches, the  library, or a  community center might be willing to share their space, especially if you have a group …

Grab your cameras and cell phones! Using forced perspective, you can create photos with fun optical illusions. For ideas and more information on how to get started, check out these sites:  Easy Trick Photography Even a Kid Can Do  Secret Tip: Forced Perspective Photography 7 Tips for Creating Excellent Forced Perspective Photographs 

This activity will challenge students to see things from a different perspective as they practice writing creatively. Here’s what to do:  Instruct the students to take notebooks and pencils and head outside. Next, have each student locate a crawling insect (no flying insects as they are too difficult to follow).  Students are to follow that …

This weekend, find a creek in a park and follow it. Take a phone or camera along to photograph what you find.    Photo by Anugama

The weather’s getting warmer, and the flowers are beginning to bloom! Here are some fun ways to get outside and celebrate the season! 1. Visit a farmer’s market. 2. Plan your garden with the help of a planting calendar.  3. Fly a kite. 4. Go camping in your backyard. 5. Watch a sunrise. 6. Create …

This week, take a few minutes to review the water cycle. Then head outside as a class to find evidence of it. Here are come good reference sites: National Geographic – “Water Cycle” Nasa – “Precipitation Education” Peer – “The Water Cycle” Photo by Erean

This weekend, make your own butterfly feeder. There are lots of directions for different types of feeders online. Here’s one to try. All you need is a plastic 2-liter bottle, a hole punch, a needle, some string, hot glue and a glue gun, a cotton ball, and some artificial flowers. Other DIY feeders you can …

This weekend, see what kinds of textures you can find in the bark of the trees around your home or neighborhood. Take along some paper and crayons to record the textures with bark rubbings. If you already know the type of tree it is, write it down on the back. If not, take along a …

Have you ever heard a loud chirping noise as you head off to bed? If so, your unexpected houseguest is most likely a field cricket. These crickets can be found in a variety of habitats, such as forests, caves, fields, lawns, and sometimes your home. They can slip in through cracks in foundations and siding, …

This week, take your class out on a sensory walk. Start with a short lesson about the five sense. Then, take your students outside with notebooks and pencils. Have them record the things they feel, hear, see, and smell. They could also include what they would taste if they were tasting things. Come back together …

This week, help your students kick off their own gardens by starting seeds indoors! To begin, provide students with a list of plants that do well when started indoors. You can find the list here. Then check the planting calendar for your area. Simply put in your zip code to find out the best time …

What wild birds live near your home? Take a walk in a park and see what feathers you can find. Then try to identify them using The Feather Atlas by the Fish and Wildlife Service.     Photo by Bryan Hanson