Neighbor News
Blanchard Memorial Elementary School's Outdoor Day
On Monday, June 11th, the Blanchard Memorial Elementary School embarked on its second Outdoor Learning Day.
In Fall 2017, Blanchard teachers and administration instituted Outdoor Learning Day as part of an ongoing commitment to bring learning outdoors. On Monday, June 11th, the Blanchard Memorial Elementary School embarked on its second Outdoor Learning Day, where teachers and staff committed to a full day of learning with nature – holding all classroom activities outdoors – from science and math to art and literature.
The day was filled with guided hikes through the Hager Land courtesy of Alex Kerin of the Boxborough Conservation Trust, bird watching with local Ornithologist Becky Harris and Rita Gibes Grossman from Boxborough Birders, a “Maker Station” with recycled materials, and PTF-funded activities including Creature Teachers and two Naturalist Stations. Classes also independently explored the natural areas and habitats adjacent to Blanchard in ways that were meaningful to their curriculum.
Why are we trying to connect our students to the natural world?
• to foster a sense of curiosity/wonder and genuine inquiry
• to hone observational skills, through speech, writing, and drawing
• to promote respect for and appreciation of nature
The Acton-Boxborough Regional School District has identified health benefits (based on cited research) associated with outdoor learning and play spaces. As referenced in the 2015 Annual Town Report on Outdoor Learning Play Spaces, the district identified being physically active outdoors and in nature as improving children’s health. [McCurdy, L. E., Winterbottom, K. E., Mehta, S. S., and Roberts, J. R. (2010). Using nature and outdoor activity to improve children's health. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 40(5), 102-117] Likewise, the District noted that greater access to green views and green environments also yield better cognitive functioning; more proactive, more effective patterns of life functioning; more self-discipline and more impulse control; greater mental health overall; and greater resilience in response to stressful life events. [Kuo, Frances E. (Ming), (2010) Parks and Other Green Environments: Essential Components of a Healthy Human Habitat, National Recreation and parks Association] . The research linking positive socio-emotional wellbeing to outdoor space is strong, and Blanchard is excited to directly connect its 500+ student body with these long-term benefits.
As a school we have extended our Outdoor Learning Day into weekly activities, adoringly referred to as Woods Wednesdays and Forest Fridays. Classes in early childhood through grade six venture into the abutting Hager Lands woods by foot or on snowshoes to observe the changing landscape and water cycle, make notations on the habitat and water table, hypothesize about animal tracks, and discover the smallest ecological aspects up close and personal with eye loupes purchased by the PTF.
To extend the impact of outdoor learning, Blanchard parent volunteers have partnered with the Blanchard administration and PTF to fund a Campus Master Plan. The Plan will be designed by Lemon Brooke (based in Concord, MA) and funded courtesy the PTF. The plan, expected to be unveiled in Fall 2018, will provide the teaching staff with the tools they need to make outdoor learning a success in a comprehensive and consistent manner throughout the school year.
View a short video with highlights from the day here.