Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge 2020
The Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge is currently underway!
We want to give a BIG THANK YOU to all those who are participating in the 2020 – 2021 challenge! This year alone we had over 3033 educators sign-up for the Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge!
WHAT EDUCATORS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE TAKE ME OUTSIDE FOR LEARNING CHALLENGE
“One of my students recently wrote a persuasive letter as part of an assignment, and for their topic they chose ‘why we should have more outdoor learning’.”
“I love it because it is a space where all can succeed, regardless of ability, language or experience.”
“students benefited so much! Here are the ways: self-regulation and understanding how nature can be calming, sense of wonder and connection to big ideas, movement and understanding the concept of space, loving nature in its patterns of weather and seasons, observation and awakening all the senses, sharing the experience with others!”
“I always notice full engagement when we take learning outdoors.”
Grand Prize
We are really excited to be able to offer a grand prize of a 4 day trip to Banff National Park for educators who participate in the Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge! We are grateful to our partners in this, especially Banff Lodging Company for their generous donation of a 4 night stay. Click here to learn more!
Resources for the Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge
COEO’s Outdoor Learning Tips for Teachers
Looking for a document aimed to help teachers get started in preparing to take their students outside this fall? Check out the Outdoor Learning Tips and Resources found here!
The Get-Outside Guide to Winter Activities unlocks the door to a wealth of fun and adventure in the snow. Activities have been compiled by keepers of the trail, experienced winter trekker leaders who know how to lead people in outdoor winter activities that are safe and fun and help people experience the joy of being active outdoors during the cold months of the year.
This guide offers activities and games that have the following features:
- Appropriate for multiple age groups
- Easily modifiable to adapt to varying skillsets
- Designed for a variety of locales, such as schoolyards, community trails, urban and remote parks, and wilderness settings
Use code B182 to receive 50% off regular price. Offer expires 11/30/2020
Thrive Outside Launch Kit, Child and Nature Alliance
Are you interested in connecting children with nature through outdoor learning and play?
Explore Thrive Outside — a free resource portal on outdoor learning and play available now!
Designed by educators, for educators, Thrive Outside helps you to re-imagine what back to school can look like beyond the classroom. Visit www.thriveoutside.ca to get started today!
There are many more resources to come — including a French portal. Follow The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada on social media for updates!
GOEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
MHO Adventures – NEW! 42-day Guide Development and Leadership Course
Check out the 42-Day Guide Development and Leadership Course
Are you seeking a change? Looking to connect with the natural world? A new challenge? An unforgettable adventure? Training and Certifications? MHO Adventures is excited to announce our Pilot course, which is scheduled to run May 1st – June 11th, 2021. Applications now open.
Outdoor Learning Webinars, hosted by LSF:
Some of the newest webinar offerings include:
- A series of webinars designed specifically for and by secondary teachers
- Tips for getting outside even in cold winter months!
- Connecting primary and middle school math curriculum to the outdoors
- For an up to date list of upcoming webinars, continue to check LSF’s R4R outdoor learning page
- Check out the recorded webinar sessions for each grade group:
- Kindergarten/Early Years: Webinar recording | Webinar slides
- Grades K-6: Webinar recording | Webinar slides
- Grades 4-10: Webinar recording | Webinar slides
Webinar Recordings from Natural Curiosity:
Recordings for Webinars 1 and 2 of a 4-part series are now available through a “pay-what-you-can” model on the University of Toronto Press website!
- Part 1: Educator Strategies for Getting and Staying Outside
- Part 2: A COVID-look at the Indigenous Lens on Natural Curiosity
- Part 3: Grounding Virtual Learning in the Land and Relationship. In Part 3, two experienced and committed environmental
educators discuss how to cultivate community, natural curiosity, relationship and reciprocity in a virtual classroom.
We are excited to announce the fourth and final webinar in our back-to-school series, Using School Grounds Effectively to Enrich Learning. This webinar will take place on Thursday, November 12th, 7:00PM – 8:30PM ET. We will be joined by Julie Whitfield, principal at Humewood Public School (TDSB), Ticia Heibein, kindergarten teacher at Forest Hill Public School (TDSB) and Steve Smith, baseball coach at the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association. Our speakers will address the benefits and risks of outdoor play and learning and their strategies for sustaining inquiry in the outdoors.
Thanks to our Partners & Allies for supporting the Learning Challenge & the work of Take Me Outside
