On a recent blog post, this question was asked: What kinds of activities do other teachers do with their students at the end of the year when all the kiddos really want to do is go outside? An excellent question!
So, how do you keep your students interested in schoolwork when the weather turns warm and sunny? What strategies work for you?
Sunny thoughts!
Diane
PS: Thanks to Darlene for the great question!
Well, the biggest problem is I want to be outside, too. However, I open all of the blinds and let the sun shine in. We sometimes do some activities outside and definitely get in some recess time.
Utilize your outdoor spaces to enhance learning. Look at cloud formations, study evaporation, investigate plant and animal life or just take time to read outside.
I do a lot of outdoor activities with my first graders.
Science: weather, plants, bugs, seasons
Math: measurement (linear, capacity)
Writing
Art
Sometimes silent reading if there is enough shade
I like to take the classroom outside as much as possible by doing things like having storytime outside under the tree, measuring the distance between monkey bars, counting the number of steps around the playground vs to the library, using the teeter totter as a giant balance scale, and taking rubbings of bark and leaves for science.
When it’s not possible to go outside, we bring the outdoors in. A tent set up in the classroom makes a great reading area, and beach towels can be substituted for spots on the floor to make circle time fun. Cornmeal or sandpaper make great substitutions for sand when creating pictures of sandcastles and seaside scenes, and drawing pictures and dictating stories about summer vacation plans (whether real or imagine) lets kids focus on summer while still doing work. To get energy out, we have dance parties to summery music like the Beach Boys, calypso and reggae, toss the beach ball (answering questions when the ball comes to you) and blow bubbles to chase.
First grades are going fishing! 2 years ago when we went it was raining. But we didn’t care one bit!