Garlough Students Celebrate National Outdoor Classroom Day

Garlough Environmental Magnet School celebrated National Outdoor Classroom Day with a full schedule of engaging outdoor learning experiences this fall. From observing and journaling about birds to cleaning the Peace Garden and enhancing the natural playground, students practiced teamwork, kindness, and responsibility while connecting with nature. The day highlighted Garlough’s commitment to integrating environmental education into every aspect of learning, inspiring students to explore and engage with the world around them. This fall, Garlough Environmental Magnet School embraced the spirit of National Outdoor Classroom Day with an engaging schedule of outdoor learning experiences. Ms. Abigail’s kindergarten class took full advantage of the beautiful fall weather to connect with nature while building key academic and social skills.

The day began with a Morning Meeting centered on kindness, responsibility, and cooperation. Students demonstrated these values by hauling wood from the Peace Garden and helping to clean up the area, transforming the space into a more functional outdoor learning environment. During Science and Writing, students focused on birds, observing and recording their findings in bird journals. They sketched and labeled different bird species and noted the types of food birds eat. After completing their work, they explored Chipmunk Park, using their newfound knowledge to identify wildlife in action.

Rest & Read time was anything but ordinary as students paired up to enjoy books outdoors under the crisp autumn sky. They also integrated daily routines like the calendar and Number Corner into their time outside.

In Math, students played games that honed their number-comparison skills. Afterward, they lent a hand moving logs to the natural playground, reinforcing the day’s theme of cooperation and teamwork.

The class only returned indoors for WiN (“What I Need”) time, specialists, and a short phonics lesson. By immersing themselves in outdoor learning, students not only gained academic knowledge but also deepened their connection to the natural world and to each other.

National Outdoor Classroom Day was a shining example of how Garlough Environmental Magnet School weaves environmental education into every aspect of learning, inspiring students to engage with their environment in meaningful ways.