{"id":3610,"date":"2020-05-28T07:30:31","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T11:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=3610"},"modified":"2020-05-27T19:21:56","modified_gmt":"2020-05-27T23:21:56","slug":"staying-close-to-home-for-great-outdoors-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2020\/05\/staying-close-to-home-for-great-outdoors-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Staying Close to Home for Great Outdoors Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2020-MAY-Great-Outdoors-Month.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-3674\" src=\"http:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2020-MAY-Great-Outdoors-Month-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2020-MAY-Great-Outdoors-Month-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2020-MAY-Great-Outdoors-Month-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2020-MAY-Great-Outdoors-Month.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>This year, more than ever, the world is ready to celebrate Great Outdoors Month, a reminder for all of us to get outside and enjoy nature\u2019s offerings. It may not be possible to travel to the beach, the parks, or to outdoor museums, but it is possible to enjoy the outdoors in a safe setting such as your driveway or yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is heartening to see how teachers and students have adapted to life during the coronavirus outbreak. I\u2019ve seen beautiful images of messages written in driveways, beautiful chalk drawings, and inspired math activities that allow students to learn while enjoying the outdoors. These displays demonstrate students\u2019 and teachers\u2019 ability to adapt to new learning routines using creativity and imagination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, many typical activities are unavailable this year. Summer camps are closed, sports are canceled, and even some pools may remain unopened. Finding exciting and engaging activities that encourage students to get outside and stay active is a bit more complicated but not impossible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you share ideas for summer learning, consider adding some of those belows to get your students (and families) outdoors:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Outdoor Activities to Share with Parents and Caregivers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideas for elementary school students:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kidsgardening.org\/garden-activities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KidsGardening<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=799\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) &#8211; This site shares many suggestions for gardening activities at home. Try the scavenger hunt or photo fun ideas to start your garden adventures.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gameideasforkids.com\/outdoor_games.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game Ideas for Kids Outdoor Games<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=14606\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) &#8211; Do you remember playing Red Light, Green Light or Red Rover? Find the rules for those games and others to get everyone playing outdoors.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideas for middle and high school students:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/beachchairscientist.com\/on-the-go-exploring-pouch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beach Chair Scientist Exploring Pouch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17809\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) &#8211; Use ideas from the Exploring Pouch to create a neighborhood or backyard scavenger hunt. Be sure to follow social distancing guidelines as you look for bird nests, fungus, feathers, or any other items from nature you want to add.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inaturalist.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">iNaturalist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=12773\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) &#8211; Become a citizen scientist by recording and sharing your nature observations with the scientific community. Follow the link to Projects and join one of the ongoing projects available to the worldwide community.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just add chalk:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.craftymorning.com\/clever-ways-play-hop-scotch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clever Ways for Kids to Play Hopscotch<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nola.com\/news\/coronavirus\/article_9e970a38-744a-11ea-8e4c-636aa6602d5f.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chalk drawings capture the coronavirus mood for cooped-up kids and social commentators<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.makeandtakes.com\/sidewalk-chalk-activities-and-games\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 Awesomely Fun Sidewalk Activities<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.connectionsacademy.com\/the-monitor\/fill-a-summer-of-fun-with-sidewalk-chalk-activities\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fill a Summer of Fun with Sidewalk Chalk Activities<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/shall85917\/chalk-learning\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pinterest board with ideas for learning and having fun outdoors with chalk<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Share Memories with Friends and Family<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage families to share their at-home activities with families and friends using these ideas:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facetime with relatives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create and share picture albums using<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/photos.google.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Photos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=16768\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">),<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Flickr<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=6952\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), or another photo-sharing site.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upload pictures and create a photo book as a keepsake for summer memories with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smilebox<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=11372\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which is easy to use and provides many templates for personalizing books.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spark.adobe.com\/edu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adobe Spark in K12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=18378\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to create and share a web page with activities or a short video.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Just Get Outside!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a little bit of imagination, the outdoors offers many opportunities for learning through play and investigation, even while staying home and staying safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find all the links on this blog and some extras at this<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wke.lt\/w\/s\/6Xi-dS\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wakelet Collection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17619\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TeachersFirst Wakelet review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Just copy the collection, add your own ideas, and share with parents and caregivers to use throughout the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you have an idea for celebrating Great Outdoors Month? Tell us about it in the comments. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year, more than ever, the world is ready to celebrate Great Outdoors Month, a reminder for all of us to get outside and enjoy nature\u2019s offerings. It may not be possible to travel to the beach, the parks, or to outdoor museums, but it is possible to enjoy the outdoors in a safe setting &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2020\/05\/staying-close-to-home-for-great-outdoors-month\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[57,56,6],"class_list":["post-3610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-inspiration","tag-motivation","tag-summer"],"modified_by":"Karen Streeter","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3610"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3736,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3610\/revisions\/3736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}