Frequently Asked Questions
How can my class sign up for a Learning Outside visit?
Please email info@conservationcouncil.ca
We do class visits primarily in the Fredericton area, but do our best to get to schools farther away as time and funding allow.
There is no cost to schools for our visits.
What does a Learning Outside session look like?
We frame our activities on seasonal events, the school setting, grade level, and what the teacher would like. If you want to learn about frogs or winter adaptations, if you want outdoor math activities, or science, or language arts, we’ll do our best to make it happen.
We combine fun, active games and learning about New Brunswick habitats and species into all of our activities. We use simple props that are readily available. We encourage teachers to take our ideas and activities, repeat them, modify them, and make them their own.
We ask that you allot 40-60 minutes for a visit. When possible we like to arrange sessions for more than one class during a visit.
COVID-19 adaptations: We follow all required school protocols, in addition to our own. During this time, we are open to single class visits. We are also adapting some of our activities and materials for teachers to use when teaching virtually.
How can I get my kids to learn outside?
As with anything new, it’s good to take a gradual approach. The first few times, your students may be so excited about being outside that it’s difficult to get them to focus. Start with short time periods and then expand. Explain the activity before going outside. Once outside, be sure to start off with a circle with simple activities to introduce the activity’s theme and to set expectations. A high energy activity will let them blow off some steam before settling into more focused work.
Once learning outside becomes part of the routine, students transition between the classroom and outside more easily. Both students and teachers find outdoor learning fun and rewarding. It helps to have gear and everything to be used outdoors ready to go and stored near the classroom door to speed transition time. You may want to have your outside activities right after (or before) recess.
Oh, yes, one thing about teaching outside is that nature will often require you to re-focus, adjust, or put aside your lesson plan (don’t worry, you can get back to it later). If a bald eagle flies overhead with a fish in its talons – well, that’s the topic of the day! If you find apples stashed in maple trees, it’s time to become nature sleuths. If someone finds a fascinating creepy-crawly, what a great time to investigate one of our less visible neighbours! These are gifts that provide your students (and possibly you!) the kinds of learning experiences that will stay for a lifetime!
- Handy items for your outdoor teaching kit
- How to carry your outdoor learning materials
- Bringing nature into on-line learning (tips and activities)
Where can I find more information?
For more information on the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, visit www.conservationcouncil.ca.
Book a Learning Outside session!
