Ah, the cool, crisp weather and falling leaves. Fall is here again. Now’s a great chance to enjoy the beauty of autumn with your online student before the winter snows traps you both indoors. Learning doesn’t just happen in lessons. The most memorable learning often happens in a spontaneous, hands-on way and online learning gives you this flexibility!
Fall outdoor activities are the perfect way to take advantage of the weather and incorporate practical learning into lesson time. Here are a few outdoor activity ideas to try during the first day of fall:
1. Go for a Nature Walk – Have your student journal about what you see, make a collage of gathered items (bring your backpacks), or document seen animal species. Record your adventure with photography or a video recorder and share with classmate or online teacher.
2. Rake the Leaves – Identify the leaf and tree varieties you find (volunteer to help a neighbor to find more!) Discuss photosynthesis and tree stages through the seasons. Make a craft like a centerpiece or laminated leaf placemats with your best finds!
3. Go Grocery Shopping – Find produce that is specific to the autumn season. Document the harvest of various plant varieties (try visiting a local farm!) and how they differ. Make seasonal recipes and discuss how eating sustainable, in-season foods helps society.
4. Do Lessons Outside – Try math on the porch or science on the front lawn. Fresh air and occasional breaks of exercise can help your student concentrate better. Try to include nature visuals in lesson content or problems (counting pine cones anyone?)
5. Have a Campfire – Teach how to build a fire, proper fire safety rules, and practice fire escape plans in your house. Do a paper on fire as a part of the eco-system and it’s affects on the environment (visit a past or present fire site if possible).
What’s your favorite fall outdoor activity to do with your student?