Opening YOUR Classroom Door

Its complexity and far reach lends itself to allow Learning for Sustainability to be interwoven into any classroom subject. In this section, you will find some examples of activities that will hopefully inspire you to open the classroom door to either let Nature in or go out to explore it.

For my Classroom

Outdoor Classroom Day is taking place on November 1, 2018. This is an opportunity for you to start integrating the outdoors into your pedagogy. Changing the setting of learning has a number of positive effects on students, which you can explore further the report the organization has published entitled "The Impact of Outdoor Learning and Playtime at School - And Beyond." On the Outdoor Classroom Day website, you can get involved by signing up your class to the international project.


From the Classroom to the Community

Stephen Ritz is an inspiring educator from South Bronx. In his efforts to grow healthy bodies and minds, he has led his students and community on a sustainable journey towards better life conditions. 



The British Nutrition Foundation produced this video, "Where does food come from?" In it, they follow the journey of students who were exploring the origins of food. The learning journey starts in the classroom, continues by stepping outside the school to identify foods, and culminates in a visit to a local dairy farm. 




Something to Aspire to...

Canadian John Hardy ran away to Bali, and after living there, they decided to give back by building a green school. The holistic approach to their school means the school is built from bamboo, the students learn to read, write, and do arithmetic, as well as gardening, community involvement, and sustainable practices. 



Building outdoor classrooms is a trend that is gaining momentum in Canada. Though this is an initiative that requires more than the will of the teacher, it's a concept that just might gain traction in your school if you present it. Aly Thompson reported on the increasing popularity of outdoor classrooms for CTV News in her article "Canadian Schools Increasingly Embrace Outdoor Classrooms." 

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