THE OUTDOOR AREA

Extending Instructional Opportunities Outside

Consider the outdoor environment as another opportunity to extend children’s learning experiences, Many of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards can be planned for and assessed during the outdoor time. Include the objectives for outdoor time in lesson plans and frequently add more materials and activities to the outdoor area. The outdoor classroom can offer learning opportunities in writing, art, reading, science, manipulatives and blocks. The environment should allow for a variety of settings (sunny/shady, grass/concrete) and opportunities for quiet play as well as active play. When writing lesson plans, consider how the current theme or project can be incorporated into outdoor activities. Remember that many indoor activities can be brought outside, where they offer a different type of learning and sensory experience.

Quiet Play

• Chalk (regular or large size)
• Easel for drawing or painting
• Outdoor library
• Outdoor writing center
• Puppets with theater

Active Play

• Bean bag games
• Bean bags, baskets and targets for throwing games
• Cardboard boxes-many different sizes
• Exercise mat
• Flexible dryer hoses
• Hollow blocks
• Jump ropes, balls, hoops, streamers, catching game
• Obstacle course for running and riding trikes
• Parachute
• Plastic/PVC piping
• Portable tunnel
• Take recorder for creative movement along with scarves, shakers, streamers and musical instruments
• Walkie Talkie
• Walking boards or balance beam

Other Ideas

• Bubbles
• Materials for pouring and digging: buckets, bowls, shovels, spoons, scoops, funnels, sifter, pots, pans, molds, plastic pitchers, old trucks and cars, plastic people, flowers and animals.
• Designate a part of the playground area as a garden. Have the children plant and tend to it during playground time.
• Paper hung on fence for mural painting
• Sensory table with water, ice, grass, leaves, mud, bubbles, etc.
• Vinyl table cloth, picnic basket, plates, food for a "pretend picnic”"
• Paper for foot printing
• Old sheet on fence and squirt bottles filled with diluted tempera paint for "spray" murals