January Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge Resources
Crime Scene Creative Writing
All Ages
Curricular Areas: English Language Arts & Arts Education
Either have learners create their own crime scene using props and natural materials or have an outdoor crime scene staged already before they arrive. Challenge students to develop a story inspired by the crime scene they create or discover. You can also have learners create a story map for their stories prior to having them write it down!
Create a Math Trail
All Ages
Curricular Areas: Math & Physical Health Education
A ...
December Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge Resources
Fox Walking
All Ages; especially beneficial for building in self-regulation and fine motor skills and control in all learners.
Curricular Areas: Careers, Physical Health Education, Arts Education, Science
Most fox walking sessions begin with a question such as "how many of you like to see wildlife? Who would like to learn how to get close to wild animals?" Next it is time to demonstrate how to fox walk. The first step is to completely relax the body and slowly relax the mind, gently bend your knees, and step forward slowly with one foot leading with your toes. As ...
November Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge Resources
Nature Scavenger Hunts
Curricular Areas: Math & Art
Target Age Range: Primary (K-7)
Outdoor scavenger hunts can range from relatively simple to complex. For this activity you can use whatever you have on hand and it can be done in an urban or natural setting. First you will need to have plenty of examples of geometric shapes, either 3D blocks from your classroom or printed out sheets of paper with a variety of geometric shapes cut out of them. Once outside you will get your learners to identify these shapes in the surrounding environment. Where can we see or find ...
Act Your Way into Teaching Outside
A three-year-old girl is with her dad at the park down the street from their home on a sunny, autumn afternoon. Her dad brought something he dug out of the storage, something he hadn’t played with in years, it’s his old soccer ball. Finding an open patch of grass, he places the artifact of his athleticism down and kicks it towards his daughter. She laughs as the ball bumps into her shins, excited to see this new toy. She chases it and then swings her leg, her foot connecting to the top of the ball, sending it a few feet away. There are no rules attached. Her dad ...
Reimagining School: What If We Physically Distanced From Four Walls and A Desk?
We know the future of school is likely to look a whole lot different when it reopens. As the current school year comes to a close, provincial education departments, educators, and parents are grappling with what September will bring in terms of educating children ...
Webinar for Educators: Finding Hope Through Connecting to the Land
Thanks to all the educators who joined us on May 28th for our webinar - Finding Hope Through Connecting to the Land. We are grateful to Chief Joe Pierre for sharing the Ktunaxa Creation Story and inspiring educators to help connect their students to the land. The webinar was recorded with ...
2019 Contest Winners
Congratulations to the 2019 Contest Winners!
Here are the winning videos from each category.
Stay tuned for details for the 2020 Contest coming soon!
Grade 7-12 Category:
Grand Prize and 1st Place Winner
Michael Speciale and Daniel Marte from Woodbridge, ON
2nd Place Winner
Jared Kelso from North Bay, ON
3rd Place Winner
Mateen Missaghi from Vaughn, ON
Grade K-6 Category:
1st Place Winner
Lewis Keyes from Westlock, AB
2nd Place Winner
Kayla Specht from Lower Sackville, NS
3rd Place Winner
Christopher Neville from Kars, ON
Rules
Taking on the Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge: A teacher’s perspective
Kate Porter
August 1, 2019
I love being outdoors, and as I have gained teaching experience I have learned how to navigate the barriers of taking students outside, and have come to a place in my career where learning outside has been enjoyable and effective. Teachers, if you are at the planning or brainstorming phase for the upcoming school year, I highly recommend you to consider participating in the nation-wide Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge. Before I jump into the details of this great initiative, I’ll discuss two strategies for the planning phases of ...
New Faces, Growing Capacity, More Take Me Outside Initiatives
The Take Me Outside team is growing and with that we are able to offer new initiatives for getting students outside. New skills and expanded capacity = new TMO challenges and awesome new shirts; we’re excited to tell you all about it.
At the beginning of this year we put out a national call for new Directors and were overwhelmed by the interest, passion and skill that has come our way. We added five new Directors for a total of nine with representation from across the country. We regret not being able to accommodate everyone that applied, but a Board of 30 would ...
No such thing as bad weather: Fun winter activities
Playing outside in cold weather is, if you’re out of practice, like a stiff muscle that needs stretching. Ease your students and yourself into it. There is also comfort in numbers – work with other educators to create a fun experience for all.
Although it’s cold outside, there is still plenty to do! In fact, some activities can only be done in cold weather, so grab the winter bull by the horns and go for it. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Organize a winter field day with your school
Games + fresh air + fun? Count us in. Throw a winter field day ...
