Outdoor Learning Frequently Asked Questions
(July, 2022)
Scope
Many schools in the District may have spaces already available for outdoor learning, e.g., school gardens
and outdoor classrooms. However, most schools, including those with gardens and outdoor classrooms,
do not currently have all the infrastructure necessary to provide instruction to students on a regular
basis. This document is intended to address frequently asked questions related to local education
agencies’ (LEAs’) use of outdoor areas as viable spaces for classroom instruction and other school
activities.
Effective Date
This document was released in July, 2022. OSSE will continue to add to and update this document over
time.
If you have questions relating to this document, submit your questions here,
or contact Grace
Manubay, environmental literacy coordinator, Division of Health and Wellness, at
Please note: any external resources included in the FAQ are intended to provide information but do not
necessarily represent an OSSE endorsement.
Table of Contents
A. How to Begin ……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………… 2
B. Planning Outdoor Learning Spaces …………………………………………………………………………………. 3
C. Creating Outdoor Learning Spaces …………………………………………………………………………………. 5
D. Working with Students Outdoors …………………………………………………………………………………… 7
E. Where to Learn More ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…. 8
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How to Begin
1. What exactly is an outdoor learning space?
An outdoor learning space is any outside area where students and teachers can work together
to learn, discuss, and explore. Many activities that take place indoors can be conducted outside.
For examples, an outdoor learning space might be the shade under a tree, where students can
sit in a large circle for a morning meeting. It can be a grassy area near the school, where a large
event tent has been temporarily erected with folding tables and chairs. Or, the outdoor learning
space can be under a canopy in a school garden. Outdoor learning spaces can be the temporary
conversion of areas of your school grounds, or they can be part of a larger initiative to create
new outdoor teaching structures.
2. Why should my school consider creating or continuing to invest in outdoor
learning spaces?
Many schools opted to create or reinvest in outdoor in response to changing health and
environmental concerns and found the benefits to be a valuable investment into the future.
Spending time outdoors for instruction and meals provides numerous benefits to students:
● Increased social and emotional health, such as social interaction skills, confidence
building, problem solving, and independence;
● Increased academic achievement, improving students’ ability to focus, pay attention,
and be motivated to learn;
● Improved physical health, particularly related to increased physical activity; and
● Improved mental health, such as reducing stress and anxiety.
3. Is outdoor learning just for science class?
No, all students can benefit from engaging in various activities outside during the school day and
out of school time. Many school staff can visualize meals, recess, and physical activity taking
place outdoors. Outdoor learning activities might include, but are not limited to, morning
meetings, reading circles, lessons across all subject areas, and social-emotional learning. If the
library needs to be used as instructional space, ask if the media specialist wants to host reading
groups outdoors.
Planning Outdoor Learning Spaces
1. What are the initial things we need to think about when planning an outdoor
learning space?
First, determine areas on your school grounds that might work as an outdoor learning space
Next, communicate with your school community that outdoor learning spaces will be used for
instruction if the conditions are safe and conducive to a learning environment (considering
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weather conditions, pollution, wildlife, health and safety guidance, etc.). Then, make an
investment in materials for this purpose. Lastly, encourage the teachers and staff to use the
space!
2. How much space would a school need to consider implementing outdoor
learning?
The amount of space a school needs will vary. As you view your school grounds through the lens
of potential outdoor learning areas, think about the goals you would like to accomplish with the
outdoor learning. How many students do you envision outside at one time? What are they
doing? One example that might fit your needs could be an outdoor learning space area of
approximately 30-by-30 feet for one class.
Green Schoolyards America has extensive resources that help schools start planning outdoor
space, such as detailed outdoor infrastructure planning strategies, case studies, selecting
materials and supplies, and more:
● Creating Outdoor Spaces for Learning and Play
3. What are suggestions to manage set up and break down of outdoor learning
spaces at the beginning and end of the day?
One way to minimize the effort of daily set up and break down is to create portable kits for
students that they can manage themselves. For example, teachers could give each student a 5-
gallon bucket to carry their individual school supplies; once outside, the bucket can be emptied,
flipped over, and used as a seat. For larger items that may be difficult to move in and out of the
school building each day, consider using a storage shed or other designated area that is easily
accessible to the outdoors. Another strategy is to invest in materials that can be left outside in a
designated outdoor classroom arrangement, which can be used into the future.
4. What are suggestions to address changes in weather that could impact outdoor
spaces being used for educational purposes?
Set aside personal opinions about the weather and encourage preparedness and positive
attitudes. When looking at your school campus, are there areas that are naturally shady during
certain times of day? Perhaps the front lawn area is shady in the morning, or you have trees
near the playground. Additional protection from the elements could include umbrellas, shade
sails, or tents. Setting up space near a wall might help block wind. What are your school’s
policies for outdoor recess? Ensuring the students are appropriately dressed and prepared for
the weather is equally important. School supplies may include weather-appropriate clothing,
coats, sunscreen, and reusable water bottles. For further, more detailed suggestions, see the
following:
● Design Guidelines for Outdoor Classrooms and School Gardens
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5. What should we do if we don’t have space for outdoor learning on our school
grounds?
Parking lots, lawn areas, and playgrounds are among the campus areas that can serve as
outdoor learning spaces. If your school lacks these types of areas, consider exploring other
greenspaces such as DPR recreation sites, triangle parks or larger parks such as Fort Dupont
Park. Many residents of the District live within 5 minutes of a greenspace, so these spaces are
potential options for outdoor learning. The following resource may provide helpful information:
● Using Public Spaces as Outdoor Classrooms
Creating Outdoor Learning Spaces
1. We need help figuring out what we should buy! What are the basic things we
need? How much will it cost to create an outdoor learning space?
It might be overwhelming to start this process, but OSSE has created tools to help! First, talk to
other teachers and staff to get a sense of how they might want to go outdoors during the school
day. Next, consider the following categories as you begin creating your outdoor learning space:
● Canopy (protection from weather elements)
● Seating
● Teaching, learning, and storage supplies
● Meal distribution and service supplies
The costs will vary, depending on your vision. Low-cost, temporary learning spaces might have
students sitting on a blanket and cutting up foam core boards to use as clipboards. Renting or
purchasing a canopy (tent) plus folding tables and chairs would cost more. Picnic benches can
double as classroom space and outdoor dining area. You can also consider “going big” and use
this time to plan for more permanent spaces, such as a school garden.
To help plan out materials needed and the estimated costs of an outdoor learning space, OSSE
has created the following:
● Materials Checklist for Outdoor Learning
● Procurement Tool for Outdoor Learning
2. What does an outdoor learning space look like? How many students can use an
outdoor learning space?
Outdoor spaces can look different across schools based on materials available and student
needs. Explore alternatives to desks and chairs that students can manage independently, such
as a personal clipboard and blanket or carpet square to sit upon. Tables and seating that are
ADA-accessible may not be portable to move daily with ease. Consider accessible picnic tables or
other outdoor furniture (perhaps used for accessible outdoor dining in restaurants) that can be
left outdoors, or small folding tables and chairs that can be stored in a shed.
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Green Schoolyards America has developed a toolkit that includes a section to help visualize
spatial configurations of students in an outdoor learning space:
• Start-Up Toolkit
3. What are some examples of successful outdoor learning models? Are there
examples that we can visit and see in action?
Every school is different, and what works in one place may not work in another. However, many
schools have shared their stories about how they were able to make some form of outdoor
learning happen on small scales. Green Schoolyards America has also compiled national
examples. See below for more information:
● Photos
from District schools of various elements of outdoor learning spaces, such as
outdoor classroom structures, meeting areas, seating, and more.
● Webinar hosted by the DC State Board of Education’s Well-Rounded Education
Committee
● Case studies from across the country
4. What funding is available to support schools, students, and teachers for outdoor
learning?
OSSE’s school garden program provides funding information applicable to outdoor learning
spaces in the following document:
● District School Garden Funding Guidance
Working with Students Outdoors
1. What resources are currently available to support teachers in building skills and
confidence to successfully engage students in outdoor learning? What about
resources for accommodating children with specialized learning needs?
Managing students outdoors can be different than indoors. To help teachers envision, plan, and
prepare to use an outdoor learning strategy, the following resources are available:
● Tip Sheet for Outdoor Learning
OSSE has archived webinars that focus on the following topics:
● Outdoor Learning 101
● Creating Buy in for Using Outdoor Learning Spaces
● Planning and Creating Outdoor Learning Spaces
● Group Management Outdoors
● Teaching and Learning Strategies
External organizations also have the following webinars that may be helpful:
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● Designing Garden Education to Support English Language Learners
● Bringing Social Emotional Learning & Mindfulness education into Your Work
● Building Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Outdoor Classrooms.
OSSE continues to research, develop, and share additional resources as they become available.
2. Could we set up an outdoor eating area that can double as a learning space?
Absolutely! Eating meals outdoors is a great way to incorporate outdoor learning into all parts of
the school day. For additional information, please see the following:
● Tip Sheet for Outdoor Learning: Recommendations for Outdoor Meal
Service
3. My school has an “outdoor classroom” area with picnic tables. How can I support
my colleagues in using it?
That’s great that your school has an outdoor learning space! Sometimes school staff need a
reminder that these areas exist. For example, the school administrator can make an
announcement encouraging teachers to use the space during the school day or for after school
activities. Consider sharing some of the teaching tips
included with this FAQ. Lastly, let
colleagues see YOU using the space, so they can see the practice in action.
Where to Learn More
OSSE has listed resources currently available. Additional resources are in development and will be
posted soon. In the meantime, check these websites:
● OSSE’s School Garden, Environmental Literacy, and Farm to School
programs
● DOEE’s RiverSmart Schools Program and RiverTools Field Manual
● DC Coalition for Equitable Outdoor Education website
● Chesapeake Bay Program’s School Grounds for Learning resources on Bay Backpack
● Green Schoolyards America’s National Outdoor Learning Initiative Resource Library
Further Questions
If you have questions relating to this resource contact Grace Manubay, environmental literacy
coordinator, Division of Health and Wellness, at [email protected]
.
