Enriching Social Studies through Outdoor Education conquista.arts.ubc.ca
Today’s Goals: Why go outside?Why go outside? What activities to do outside?What activities to do outside? How to manage a class outside?How to manage a class outside?
Quick survey – who’s rural? You? Your parents? Your grandparents? Your great grandparents?
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The children in school today have been DE-NATURED
Nature Deficit Disorder Describes the human costs of alienation from nature: 1.diminished use of the senses 2.attention difficulties 3.higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses
Children Today Increase in obesity: linked to diet, amount of T.V. watched, and lack of physical activity
Children Today 7 minutes a day outside compared with 7 hours in front of a screen jpg
An increasing number of researchers are recognizing that our disconnect from nature has enormous impact on our health and well-being.
Your surroundings influence your physiology – including your body’s immune response and healing mechanisms.
Nature promotes improved cognitive functioning and overall well-being One group walked in a park and another group walked downtown. Backwards digit span task – participants hear digit sequences then repeat them in backwards order Participants walking in park outscored those walking downtown
People who watch images of natural landscapes after a stressful experience calm in only 5 minutes -- showing drops in muscle tension, pulse, and skin-conductance readings. Roger Ulrich Science April 1984
More kids medicated for behavior disorders By LINDA A. JOHNSON Associated Press May 17, 2004 Medco Health Solutions showed a 369 percent increase in attention deficit drugs in children under 5 Antidepressant use increased 23 percent Antibiotic use increased 4.3 percent
The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses. Richard Louv Last Child in the Woods
National Legislation No Child Left Inside Act (H.R.3036) Encourages the development of outdoor environmental education activities as a regular part of the curriculum
A number of studies have shown that students who receive environmental education have higher standardized test scores, better grades in reading, writing and math, and improved behavior and critical thinking skills. Carousel Education March 23, 2010
What can my class do outside? First hand experience is always the best teacher. So you don’t have a park in your schoolyard? You can do social studies outdoors with a sidewalk or an open space!
Social Studies Developing mapping skills Using a compass Exploring resources Observing effects of weathering Studying land use/development Historical dances Simulations Art projects and models Games from various time periods Travel videos
Managing your class outdoors playground_ jpg
Outdoor management tips Inform the office when you go outdoors Take your cell phone with the front office number Routine your students to “outdoor rules” and procedures
Outdoor management tips, cont’d Planning, planning, planning with clear expectations Establish outdoor boundaries and an outdoor gathering cue (whistle) and spot Circle the students for instructions or debriefing Bring old newspapers or plastic bags for students to sit on
Contributing Resources E.I.E.I.O. by Dr. Thomas Rillo
Additional Contributing Resources Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv “The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature” by Howard Frumkin American Journal of Preventive Medicine (April, 2001) “No Child Left Inside Act” Committee on Education and Labor “Environmental Literacy: No Child Left Indoors” by Emily Badger www. Miller-mccune.com/politics Janie Braud – Science Content Trainer, EBR Schools
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. Rachel Carson