January 2023 Outdoor Learning Ideas

 #TMO4LearningChallenge: Activity Ideas for January!

Feel like hibernating? Check out this latest blog post for fun activities and helpful resources to move you through winter. Stay warm, stay active – we’re all in this together!

This is a portion of what we send to those participating in the #TMO4LearningChallenge each month!In this post, we’re passing on some of the ideas we share with our 4500+ Learning Challenge participants each month to support their commitment of weekly outdoor learning. For those who are not a part of this challenge, you can still have access to these outdoor learning ideas through our blog posts! We hope they also equip you with inspiration for your time outside. If you try one of these ideas we would love to hear how it went! Please email us (info@takemeoutside.ca) or tag us on Instagram (@take.me.outside) or Twitter (@takemeoutside)!

Featured Activities

“We enjoyed the challenge presented by walking in the deep snow with our #ocsboutdoors buddies this morning. We were able to use our “deer ears” to count the steps we heard in the crunchy snow. ❄️ @ocsbEco @ocsbDL @take.me.outside #TMO4LearningChallenge“

Take Me Outside Winter Challenge 2023: Feb 13-24th

Our annual initiative encourages educators and learners to embrace the season and get outside – no matter the weather. Each year, we showcase some of the many activities that can be enjoyed outdoors, even in the very coldest months! Participating is simple:

• Register in English or French to get started and receive activity and resource ideas throughout the challenge. Stay tuned for this year’s guide!
• By signing up, you receive 20% off Take Me Outside educator apparel, 5% off at the Outdoor Learning Store, and have the chance to win some amazing prizes from Mountain Equipment Company!
• You and your learners spend as much time outside as much as possible during the challenge, whether it’s once or every day.
• Participate in winter activity suggestions, have fun, and feel good! Check out our activity blog for fun ideas and inspiration to get you outside each day (2023 version coming soon!).
• Inspire others and win prizes by sharing photos of your winter fun on social media with the hashtag #TMOWinterChallenge! Follow us us for more on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

A big thanks to MEC & the OLS for their support and prize contributions this year!

Nature Conservancy of Canada: Animal Tracking

Snowy or muddy weather? Those are ideal conditions to learn about your animal neighbours without ever having to see them! This tracking guide from NCC provides an introduction to all aspects of this unique skill, and all that’s next is to head outside and become detectives on the case! If you’re looking for a physical field guide, the Outdoor Learning Store stocks a comprehensive North American version.

30 x 30 Art Campaign with Nature For All

“Biodiversity protection is front and centre with international leaders and organizations working to help preserve life on earth. We wanted to showcase all the good that will come from the global effort to preserve 30 percent of the planet by the year 2030 – an initiative known as 30 by 30.

This effort will involve a ton of work – making cities greener places, restoring lost habitats, saving individual species, having Indigenous communities become leaders in land management, and protecting ocean ecosystems like never before. We want to see what you want the future to look like by the year 2030!”

Check out full contest details online, and submit your drawings by Wed Mar 1st at 5pm ET!

Outdoor Learning Resources

Thrive Outside / S’épanouir en plein air

Thrive Outside is the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada’s newest (and free!) outdoor learning and play resource portal, available now! Designed by educators, for educators, Thrive Outside helps to re-imagine what school can look like beyond the classroom.

S’épanouir à l’extérieur est le tout nouveau portail de ressources sur l’apprentissage et les jeux en plein air de l’Alliance pour l’enfant et la nature du Canada, disponible dès maintenant (et gratuitement !). Conçu par des éducateurs, pour des éducateurs, S’épanouir dehors aide à réimaginer ce que peut être la rentrée des classes au-delà de la salle de classe.

Physical Education Lesson Plans

“These physical education lesson plans are available for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. They were developed for teachers by experienced Alberta physical education specialists. Each lesson consists of two activities, a warm it up, and a whoop it up. Sets have five units in each of the five dimensions (types of gymnastics, dance, individual activities, alternative environments, and games) with six lessons each. Some sets include an additional unit with six daily physical activity lessons.”

LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH OUTDOOR LEARNING?

Take Me Outside Online Resource Directory

CBEEN Resources

Learning for a Sustainable Future Database