West Babylon Gets Creative With Outdoor Learning

Press release from West Babylon School District:

October 28, 2020

Throughout the West Babylon School District, teachers are taking learning outside
the walls of the classroom and finding creative ways to teach their students outdoors in
this new learning environment.

The social distancing requirements are changing the way teachers conduct lessons
and they are adapting by finding new methods. Bringing lessons outdoors has made for
more hands-on learning as well. At John F. Kennedy Elementary School, students went on a
leaf hunt. First, they discussed playing the role of scientists as they looked for different
kinds of leaves. The students investigated the leaves carefully and collected just a few of
each type. They went back to the classroom and sorted the leaves by shape and category.

At South Bay Elementary School, students did a science walk outside to determine if
things were warm. At Forest Avenue, students did a math lesson utilizing Math and
Movement number line hopping mats. Math and Movement is a program that uses multi-
sensory learning approaches to teach students skills to succeed in math. This year, the
fourth grade students at Forest Avenue will be focusing on looking at the subject areas
holistically. “Math and Movement are the beginning steps toward taking our students
‘outside’ traditional learning, providing them with choice, and fostering a sense of
ownership and awareness in the different pathways we take as life-long learners,” the
teachers said.

At Santapogue Elementary School, fifth graders recently went outdoors for a lesson
based on the book “Mr. Peabody’s Apples.” They learned an important lesson: glitter is like
gossip; once you say something, you can’t take it back. At Tooker Avenue Elementary,
students in Mrs. Kozak’s and Mrs. Valdemira's class are learning about the parts of speech
as part of their ELA curriculum. They were able to enjoy the fresh air as they went on a
noun hunt. When they went back to the classroom, they separated the nouns into
categories. As an extension activity, they went on to write stories using some of the nouns
they found outside.

Senior High School and Junior High School students are socially distanced and
enjoying the great outdoors in their language arts classes. It was a great way to stay safe,
get some sunshine and feel inspired while writing their personal narratives.

Photo caption: Learning is going out of the classroom and into the outdoors as shown by
these lessons in West Babylon School District. Teachers provide direction on mask breaks
while students are seated outdoors and six feet apart.

This press release was produced by West Babylon School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.