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For PDSB Educators: if you are looking to reach out to the Peel Field Centres for further ways to connect your learning to the environment visit the PDSB Field Centre Share Point site.
For PDSB Educators: if you are looking to reach out to the Peel Field Centres for further ways to connect your learning to the environment visit the PDSB Field Centre Share Point site.
Important reminder: These are suggestions from the Peel Field Centre staff from past experiences with getting students learning outside. However, we recognize that each school situation may be different. Please follow your operational procedures.
Important reminder: These are suggestions from the Peel Field Centre staff from past experiences with getting students learning outside. However, we recognize that each school situation may be different. Please follow your operational procedures.
Ready, Set, Go!
Ready, Set, Go!
Things to consider before heading outside!
Things to consider before heading outside!
The Place - Where? When? How?
The Place - Where? When? How?
Decide where you’ll be taking your students whether on school grounds or in a natural space close by in your community - you’ll need permission from your school administration and parent permission forms
Plan according to the school schedule and protocols (specific time slot, designated areas…)
Visit the area ahead of time in order to do a safety check and to create your lesson plan
Discuss safety with students ahead of time, particularly when going off school grounds
Road and sidewalk safety
What to do if they find something dangerous (glass, syringes)
What to do regarding strangers, dogs, wildlife
Care for the natural environment - leave what they find...
Weather, Clothing and First Aid
Weather, Clothing and First Aid
Check local weather: wind, cold, heat and any thunderstorm or snowstorm warnings; be mindful of changing conditions.
Dress for the weather. Discuss with students how to prepare for weather conditions.
If students are in need of outdoor gear there are many options. The best for students and the environment is to purchase items that can be used over and over again.
Dollar type stores have inexpensive reusable types of rain ponchos and also hats, mitts and warm socks
Check out thrift stores like Salvation Army or Value Village or others in your neighbourhood
Use garbage bags to make raincoats BUT please try to reuse these in order to help reduce waste and recycled items
Ask if anyone in the community or school knits and would like to make hats, mitts and scarves for students
Make it a class project (learn to knit a scarf)
Bring a first aid kit and medical devices (eg: epipens, puffers) when required.
Have a way to contact the school in an emergency (cell phones, walkie talkie).
How to Make a Raincoat Using a Garbage Bag
How to Make a Raincoat Using a Garbage Bag
The Students’ Toolkit
The Students’ Toolkit
This is a list of the basics. More or different items can be added depending on the activity and time of year:
This is a list of the basics. More or different items can be added depending on the activity and time of year:
Hat
Water Bottle
Sit Upon
Writing Utensil
Journal
How to make a Sit Upon
How to make a Sit Upon
With plastic grocery bags
With plastic grocery bags
These are the must-haves in your teaching tool kit (which can be a backpack or reusable grocery bag - something easy to carry)
These are the must-haves in your teaching tool kit (which can be a backpack or reusable grocery bag - something easy to carry)
The Teacher’s Toolkit
The Teacher’s Toolkit
First Aid kit
Communication device to school
Class list with notes regarding any special concerns for students
Whistle or device to call students in (practice ahead of time)
Cones or some type of markers for boundaries
Additional items depending on the day and activity:
Portable whiteboard or similar item
ID app like Seek by iNaturalist on your own or students’ phones
Class sets of whatever they need for the day - magnifying glasses, worksheets, etc.
Quick Tips for Teaching Outdoors
Quick Tips for Teaching Outdoors
When speaking, try to position yourself so that students are not looking directly into the sun.
Have an “attention grabber” ready - an interesting object, riddle, or quick activity - to help focus students’ attention when you call them together.
Make sure all students are actively listening before giving out instructions, setting up boundaries or any other safety rules.
Always have more planned than you think you will need.
If you have any questions contact PDSB Outdoor Education staff at one of the following locations:
If you have any questions contact PDSB Outdoor Education staff at one of the following locations:
Jack Smythe Field Centre 905-877-7771;
G.W. Finlayson Field Centre 519-942-9875;
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