Future Outdoor & SEL Ideas to Incorporate In My Teaching

I recently found out I have been laid off again, so I am unsure of what I will be teaching next school year. I will likely find out my teaching role(s) in mid-late July.  This is the third year I've gone through the lay off process and although it has been frustrating and stressful, I am thankful for the experience as it has allowed me to explore new roles and work in new schools. Unfortunately, I have yet to have the chance to work at the same school twice, so I have never been around long enough to implement and see the end results of my ideas and contributions.   

With that said, the ideas that promote Outdoor Ed and SEL below are more geared towards an elementary classroom teacher role. Though many of these ideas could be collaborative school wide initiatives. 

• Designated Outdoor Learning area (ideally an open area with some tree coverage and larger boulders arranged in a circle to promote a sense of community) 
• Sit spots (students either make or bring sit spots so they are able to sit outdoors comfortably 
• Visual supports for students on the interior and exterior of schools (showing and explaining mindfulness/breathing techniques that they can refer to as needed)  
• Community Garden / planting initiatives  
• Weekly Litter Pick Up (Classes each take a week throughout the year and use tongs and buckets to help keep the school grounds litter free) 
• Short explanations of different emotions, mindfulness techniques, or example scenarios shared through morning announcements   
• Bi-weekly or monthly school wide movement outdoors to release endorphins and promote community (yoga, dance, or stretching) 
• Check ins on Mood Meter throughout the school day (helps students label and articulate their emotions and why they might be feeling that way)  
• Outdoor challenges where learners can use nature's materials while communicating, collaborating, and solving problems 
• Class set of personal whiteboards/clipboards so students can easily write/draw on paper outdoors 
• Weekly/Bi-weekly - Mindfulness Journals where students write about their feelings while being outdoors and describe what strategies helped them when they needed it 
• Outdoor play with loose parts, emphasizing leave no trace concepts 
• Walking field trips through nearby forests/trails to learn about local species
• Hosting an overnight camping experience on the field or in the gym (way easier said than done)  

Some of these ideas are dependent on the surrounding landscapes of school communities, budgets, and resources. Though, some would not cost anything and would be quite easy to implement if multiple staff members were on board. My main intention of this list was to promote appreciation of the outdoors while also emphasizing SEL. I find when I ask kids what they did on the weekend many mention technology based activities indoors. My hope is that by incorporating more engaging cross-curricular learning opportunities outdoors, more and more students will see the endless potential of being in nature and not only think of it as Recess or Lunch play time. Hopefully by teaching them about the positive effects that nature has on our physical and mental health, more learners will also practice and implement strategies that help them regulate throughout their school days and personal lives.