How might we… align outdoor ed. with curriculum and classrooms?

Justin Medved says:

@gcrimp

Your How Might We question is well-framed—aligning outdoor education with curriculum and teacher workflows is a challenge many schools face, but one with significant potential for impact. The long-term nature of this work can be daunting, but your approach of starting with small, pilotable steps within your own classroom is a smart strategy to build credibility and momentum.

Here are a few next steps and resources to help shape your approach while keeping it manageable and actionable:

1️⃣ Using Your Classroom as a Pilot Project

Since you’re planning to gather data from your own class, consider structuring this like an inquiry process that will provide tangible evidence when advocating for broader adoption.

📌 Ideas for Tracking and Measuring Outdoor Learning Success:
✅ Pre/Post Student Reflections: Have students reflect on engagement, learning retention, and personal connection to nature before and after outdoor lessons.
✅ Teacher Workflow Log: Track your own planning, execution, and challenges to identify what supports teachers would need for wider adoption.
✅ Curriculum Integration Examples: Keep a running log of how specific curriculum outcomes align with outdoor learning experiences.

💡 Resource:
• Measuring the Impact of Outdoor Learning: https://www.childrenandnature.org/resources/measuring-impact-of-outdoor-learning/

📌 Reflection Question:
How will you document and share the impact of your outdoor lessons in a way that persuades admin and colleagues to support further development?

2️⃣ Building Teacher Buy-In Without Adding to Workload

A key challenge is making outdoor learning feasible within existing teacher workflows. Some ways to make it easier for colleagues to engage might include:

🔹 “Plug & Play” Outdoor Lesson Templates: Create or collect ready-made lessons that align with the curriculum and require minimal extra prep.
🔹 Start with Low-Lift Entry Points: Encourage small steps, like moving read-alouds, discussions, or journaling outside to normalize outdoor learning.
🔹 Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Find subject-aligned activities (e.g., measuring angles in nature for math, biodiversity walks for science).

💡 Resources for Easy Outdoor Learning Implementation:
• Outdoor Learning Lesson Plans for K-12 Teachers: https://outdoorclassroomday.com/resources/lesson-ideas/
• Outdoor Inquiry-Based Learning Framework: https://naturalcuriosity.ca/inquiry-based-learning/
• Cross-Curricular Outdoor Ed Resources (U.S. Based but Adaptable): https://naaee.org/our-work/programs/learning

📌 Reflection Question:
How can you design low-barrier entry points for teachers hesitant about outdoor learning?

3️⃣ Learning from Other Schools & Programs

You mentioned wanting to shadow established outdoor ed programs—this is a great idea, and many CIS and CAIS schools have developed models worth exploring. Some places to start connecting include:

📍 CIS Ontario Experiential Learning Networks – Some schools within CIS have outdoor & experiential learning coordinators who may be open to sharing best practices.
📍 Green Schools Canada – A network of schools integrating outdoor learning & sustainability. https://greenschoolsnovascotia.ca/
📍 Ontario EcoSchools – Some schools have outdoor learning built into eco-certification programs. https://ecoschools.ca/
📍 Independent Schools with Strong Outdoor Learning Programs:
• The Grove School (Outdoor Learning Focus)
• Toronto Waldorf School
• Trafalgar Castle School (Forest School Model for Younger Grades)

📌 Reflection Question:
What specific elements of other schools’ programs would be most valuable to observe and adapt at Bayview Glen?

4️⃣ Gaining Administrative & Structural Support

Since bureaucratic barriers may slow down full implementation, consider:
✅ Framing Outdoor Ed as Enhancing Existing School Priorities (e.g., student well-being, engagement, interdisciplinary learning).
✅ Gathering Research on Academic Benefits – Provide evidence on improved focus, mental health, and retention through outdoor learning.
✅ Exploring Low-Cost Infrastructure Improvements – Small changes like outdoor seating areas or nature trails make a difference.

💡 Resource:
• Nature-Based Learning and Academic Outcomes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139641/

📌 Reflection Question:
How can you position outdoor learning as something that supports existing school goals rather than feeling like an “extra”?

Looking forward to discussing this further at our third face-to-face session at Montcrest, where we can refine your implementation and advocacy strategy!

Best,
Justin