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The alarm goes off, and another school day has begun. Often it’s a rush to get everyone ready and out the door on time. Then it’s off to school for a day full of learning, then home again to complete homework assignments. Before your students gets started on those assignments, however, encourage them to take …

This weekend, instead of heading inside at bedtime, stay outdoors — and sleep under the stars! Find a flat area in your yard to set up your bedding system, which may include an air mattress, camping blanket, and/or sleeping bag.  Don’t forget your pillow!      Photo by seriousfun

We received many wonderful entries — thanks to all who took the the time to create a bookmark for Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe! The book came out today, so to celebrate, we’re announcing the winner! And the first place winner is… Madison B. from Alabama!     The judges had a such …

Although July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year, many cities are celebrating this weekend. Check your local paper or look online for festivities in your area. Join the crowds or celebrate on your own with a trip to the lake, a picnic, or a day at the park.    Photo by Gudina 

A huge thanks to everyone who entered this contest!  We wish we could have offered prizes to everyone — all the bookmarks were so beautiful. You can see the winners HERE!       It’s summer and time to get outside!  Our founder, Jo Hackl, has written an outdoor adventure, Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe.  …

You may have heard it in the evening or late into the night: a yip, a chattering howl, an eerie chorus that reminds you that something is wild and awake and on the move. You don’t have to live near woods or a forest to hear it; you can hear the sounds in neighborhoods, towns, …

As the school year comes to a close, encourage your students to make the most of their free time this summer. As a class, come up with a list of things they can do either on their own or with friends and family members. Wondering where to begin? Check out our list of 12 Ways …

The lazy days of summer are here! But they aren’t really lazy — there’s so much to do and enjoy during the warmer months. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:  Explore a new trail. Go barefoot all day. Go on a picnic somewhere you’ve never been before. Visit a butterfly garden.  …

Take the class outside for a nature scavenger hunt. You may make it as simple or as complex as you want. Below are some ideas.  For younger students: Base your scavenger hunt on colors like the one here.  For older elementary students:  Click here for a free scavenger hunt printable featuring 4 types of birds, …

Unplug this weekend! Choose one day this weekend to turn off the cell phones, tablets, and computers and head outside. You’ll soon find yourself more refreshed, recharged, and reconnected. Find out more here.    Photo by gracey

A piece of paper on the ground… a candy bar wrapper… a soda bottle. It’s no big deal, is it? That’s what many students think. Let your students know the effects of litter on wildlife. This article by the World Animal Foundation is a good place to start.  Then, head outside to pick up litter. …

This weekend, take time to explore a local state park. To find one in your area, check out this website.    Featured image by taliesin

This week, take the class outside to identify all of the different trees around your school or playground. You can have the students draw the leaves in nature journals, or you can ask for permission to pick some of the leaves to take inside. Have the students search through field guides to identify the leaves. …

Depending on where you live, this weekend might be the season for berry picking! Check with your local farms to see what may be ripe and ready. Then head out with friends or family, and enjoy the fruits of your labor (literally)!    Featured image by wunee

I’m not really scared of snakes, though they sometimes surprise me by seeming to appear out of nowhere. Over the years, we’ve found a number of black snakes in our yard; they’ve been in our chicken coop, in our driveway, even in my mother-in-law’s house! There have been enough of them that we began to …

Congratulations to all the amazing young artists who submitted their artwork into Outdoorosity’s Great Outdoors Art Contest! Be sure to view all of the entries in the gallery HERE.  The judges had a VERY difficult time selecting a winner. There were more than 50 entries — so many beautiful, artistic, creative pieces celebrating the outdoors …

Field guides are books used to identify animals, plants, minerals, or other things in the natural environment. They are available for purchase, although many can be found in your local library. This week, check out a variety of field guides for students to look at. Show them how to use the books for research by looking …

Before beginning, find out the weather forecast for the week. Have each student record this information or post it where the whole class can view it. Have the students keep a weather log for the next five days. Be sure to include the high temperature, the low temperature, and the amount of precipitation for each …

Outdoorosity’s Great Outdoors Art Contest will soon be coming to a close. But there is still time to enter! Students in grades 4-6 can send in their artwork by SUNDAY, APRIL 15.  Click HERE to enter.  Click HERE to view the gallery.  We can’t wait to see your artwork! 

This week, take students outside to hear what nature sounds like. Depending on your students, it may be a little hard at first to settle down long enough to listen well. But once they do, they’ll be surprised by just how much they hear.  Supplies Plain white paper Pencils A notebook or book to bear …