The Robertson Program worked closely with Mine Centre Public School Kindergarten Teacher Marge Hale and Early Childhood Educator Sara Empey to develop activities that support math and science exploration in the outdoors.
Located 45 minutes outside of Fort Frances, Ontario, Mine Centre P.S. has been developing an outdoor classroom, better known as “camp” by staff and students. The space has a meeting area with benches, a fire pit, a shelter and trails through the surrounding woods – all for the students to enjoy and explore.
Marge and Sarah are sharing some of the math- and science-focused activities that their students enjoy. Feel free to try them with your own students in an outdoor space.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR EARLY YEARS CLASSROOMS
The Plants Around Us
Students learn about the types and parts of a plant by exploring their natural environment
Exploring Bird Nests
Students observe bird nests and discuss which materials are best used in their construction
Building Birds Nests
Students construct their own bird nest made of items they think are good options for a bird's nest
Measuring the Circumference of a Tree (Non-Standard Units)
Students use standard units of measurement to measure and compare the circumferences of trees
Measuring Imprints Outside
Students make and measure imprints outside and learn how they represent non-standard units of measurement
Measuring the Depth of Snow
Snowfall can be a learning opportunity when students measure and compare the depth of the fallen snow each week
How Many Steps?
Students quantify distance by walking along a pathway from one location to another wearing pedometers
Exploration with Balance Scales
Provide students with an opportunity to learn the use of balance scales in a practical outdoor setting
Further Exploration with Balance Scales
Students use balance scales to become more familiar with the concepts of weight, balance and measurement
Magnets
Children engage in an exploration of magnets, further discovering what items are magnetic and what items are not
Finding Geometric Shapes Outside
Sticks and stones can make two and three-dimensional shapes that students can use to explore geometry in an outdoor setting