The Environment as a Teacher: Gutters & Water

We recently added some new loose parts to the Outdoor Classroom: GUTTERS! I set up the gutters on the yard as shown, but we gave no specific instruction on how to use them. 

Our Pre-K students noticed the gutters right away and began pouring the water down the gutters and into a bucket. 

As the water spilled over and flowed into the hole, the students realized they could make a river. With enthusiasm, they grabbed small shovels from the crates and requested our "real" tool shovel so they could make trenches and rivers in the sandbox. 

They worked cooperatively for approximately 30 minutes with barely a word from the teachers. As the children dug their trenches, connecting several holes that had been built by multiple children, and as they watched water flow through the sandbox, I took a moment to reflect on the capability of children to create knowledge from their environment. In the 30 minutes they spent on this project, they learned about force, flow of water, angles, absorption, and so much more. Could we possibly have taught them all of that in circle time? I think not.

The well designed environment IS a remarkable teacher in and of itself. Don't you think?

Snowball Targets! SNOOOOOW FUN!

We don't get snow in Southern California, and so if we want to have the experience of throwing snowballs, we have to make it ourself. We were a little concerned with letting the children go all out with an unbridled snowball fight, so with a bit of prep, we created the most exciting dramatic play thus far - SNOWBALL TARGET PRACTICE!

With the help of some coworkers, we strung several lines of string from the school wall to our patio overhang. I then hung targets from the strings. I varied the heights and the depths of the string for added challenge. We draped a sheet at the back to catch the flying snowballs and prevent them from smashing into the Art and Language table. A flat wall would work, too, but I was pretty sure that my director would not have appreciated the thump, thump, thump of careening "snowballs" hitting her office window!

To create a defined space, we laid tires along the edge of the space. We put chairs behind the chairs to create a viewing and waiting area. Of course, we provided winter wear such as scarves, mittens and fluffy hats to get into the winter mood!

We provided a large crate filled with "snowballs" (see below) and allowed 2 children at a time to stand on the bales of hay and launch their snowballs at the targets. We allowed each set to empty the crate. The children all cheered for each other when someone hit a target and all of the children helped in the cleanup each time the crate was emptied.

The enthusiasm for this activity was so high and all of the children (and many of the parents!) wanted a turn. I even saw a few teachers practicing their aim with the targets. We did have one teacher stationed at the center to keep everyone in a "festive" mood and to regulate the queue.

The snowballs are Ziplock bags filled with packing peanuts. I used strong clear packing tape to seal each bag into the shape of a ball. The targets are simply laminated construction paper. We had a snowman die-cut, so I added the snowmen for extra appeal and told the children that the goal was to hit the snowman.

This is by far one of the most exciting events we have set up on the yard (there are many exciting things that arise on the yard, but this one was intentional). It was a hit with the children, parents and teachers! The snowballs could also be used for a controlled snowball toss, or even a {monitored} snowball fight.

And so, WINTER has officially arrived in SoCal! Yippee!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Exploring the Outdoor Classroom...in the Backyard

Like many teachers, my job isn't finished when I exit the doors of the school. In addition to being the Outdoor Curriculum Coordinator at the preschool, I am the mother of 2 boys, ages 5 ("W") & 7 ("C"). And so, as I exit one door, I enter another. This week I decided to buy 9 rods of 10 foot PVC pipes (1/2" diameter) and a bunch of assorted connectors for the school. I purchased it from my local hardware store and spent about $60.00 for the lot. They graciously offered to cut it for me, but when they asked what lengths I wanted, my answer was, "I'm not sure! Enough to build forts, sprinklers, water play pipes, marble runners, pendulums....". At that, the man suggested I purchase a PVC cutter. They have those? Awesome!

My intention was to see what I could think up at home, and then bring the PVC to school to use with the children next week (be sure to check back as I will be posting ample photos of the activities since I now have a few thoughts up my sleeve). However, as I was snipping the pipes with my oh-so-awesome PVC cutter (highly recommended, by the way!), I noticed my stocks were dwindling. In fact, every time I cut a new piece, it would walk away into the other room with one of my boys. They were having a blast discovering their new "toys!" In watching their creations, I learned which pieces were effective and which pieces we were in need of purchasing (such as the tri-corner connectors and several clamps...a definite must-have).

This weekend we decided to take the pipes outside since C was upset that I had to dismantel his fort in order to walk through the living room! Go figure! W and I made a "shower" from the pipes yesterday. It worked well, but if we are to use them with water again, I definitely need to purchase some end caps to stop the flowing water from coming out the bottom pipes. He also took smaller sections and made them into a snorkel for his bath later on (he was freezing after the outdoor PVC shower!). Today, C came out to join the fun and he built a huge fort. We covered it with a tarp and a bedsheet and the play began.

We then decided to add the dryer box that we obtained with our new dryer the other day. They played all morning in their creation. When the play dwindled, we added some of that REALLY COOL cardboard packing "stuff" that comes in boxes to hold items in place (we got a bunch with our new vacuum). As "C" saw me throw the cardboard into his side of the fort, he exclaimed, "COOL! I got the Star Wars side!". I believe he was transforming the cardboard into a likeness of the homes on the planet Tatooine!

At the end of their play session, I tossed in a bunch of large bubble wrap. They popped it with their fingers and then we laid it on the ground. What a sensation to run across the bubbles and hear them popping as they ran, hopped and skipped across the snapping plastic!!

They exhausted themselves with the bubbles and plunked back into the fort to recuperate. W let out a happy sigh and I hear him say quietly, "You are the best Mommy ever." And then Mommy let out a happy sigh :-).

Connectors: $25.00 

PVC Pipes: $15.00 

PVC Cutter $10.99 

Tarps (at 99 Cent Store!): $2.00 

Clamps: $8.00 

Igniting Creativity: Priceless ;-)

Nature Deficit Disorder?

Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods," caused a buzz of talk about the term "Nature Deficit Disorder," and epidemic that seems to be haunting the children of today. Of course, the term is by no means a medical condition. However, it truly gives a vivid image of children who have been so withdrawn from the natural world that they don't even know they are missing out? The cause of this deficit is directly related to the lack of time children are spending outdoors. Unfortunately, the reasons for the lack of outdoor time are endless (not to mention valid). Schools are cutting out recess at alarming rates in fear of children getting hurt or they are shortening time spent outside because they are frantic about the push to boost test scores. Parents can't leave their children unattended for fear of predators or children getting lost. Families are spending less time at home due to increased work hours and endless time devoted to structured after-school activities. And of course, children are choosing to stay indoors, for the lure of TV and other techtivities is simply too great.  But what of this lack of time spent in nature? Is it truly a problem we need to worry about? YES!!!

According to Louv, time spent in nature has a wealth of benefits. Some of the benefits include better motor coordination, increased ability to concentrate, increased capacity to pay attention, restorative relief from "directed attention fatigue," improved observation skills, increased self-esteem, a heightened sense of awe and wonder, less anger, and increased positive emotions and feelings. That is quite a list! In addition, when children are taught to value nature, they are more apt to have a greater sense of environmental awareness in the future. For, how can we expect children to maintain the "green" initiatives if they haven't experienced their own passion for nature? Allowing children to spend time outside, nurture gardens, and observe wildlife are all ways to heighten their connection to nature. And thankfully, these activities can be fostered in the Outdoor Classroom.