Homeschooling Outdoors
Our journey started in May of 2020. At the time, two out of three of our girls were enrolled in public school. The school they were attending, had just transitioned to online learning due to Covid-19 cases rising in our area. About 2 weeks into online learning, the kids and I quickly realized that this style of learning wasn’t really for us. Schooling online, on a laptop daily, quickly got repetitive and the kids weren’t as excited for school as they once used to be. For me, it was tough to see, and they wouldn’t be going back any time soon. The school had made an announcement stating students would continue online learning for the remainder of the school year. It was that day that I realized, homeschooling would be our next step. I spoke to my husband about it and we agreed to withdraw them that upcoming Monday. It was a decision for me, that was a bit nerve-racking. Although I had always dreamed of homeschooling our little ones, it was a decision that I knew would be life changing.
The kids are adventurous, they love being outside. Camping, fishing, and just simply backyard play is what they enjoy. While schooling, they would frequently ask, “When is P.E?” Knowing that our P.E always consisted of playing outside. It was no surprise that they were always looking forward to outside time. I specifically remember my oldest daughter one day expressing how she wished we could do our school work outside. I thought, “That’s a great idea! Let’s do it!” We completed the last two assignments on our agenda outside that day, and they asked if we could do it every day! The rest is history, two years later and we still “school” outdoors!
I can very confidently express that schooling outdoors changed our lives! It was very obvious that the kids were more excited, focused, and honestly all around happier in our outdoor classroom! Our work area was right beneath a huge tree, right in our front yard! Some days we sat on a blanket, others we would set up a table and chairs. What we enjoyed most was soaking in the sun and fresh air. We enjoyed working to the sounds of the chirping birds, and the music that was made when the wind would blow, ruffling the leaves. They recognized that the sounds which vibrated our ear drums, were sounds that we regularly listened to on the computer while working indoors! The nature sounds alone were intriguing to them and quickly turned into multiple lessons. Sound identification, turned into researching different birds, trees, and habitats that trees formed for many life species.
Today as we continue on with our journey with our three girls, we learn about plants, insects, weather, wild animals, outdoor safety, and much more on a daily basis! We continuously incorporate math, reading, writing, science, history, and citizenship with the most amazing free resource that we have access to every single day…the nature that surrounds us. Whether in the backyard, nature trails, or trips to the park, you can be sure that we are filling their young minds with the most amazing valuable lessons.
There is so much to love about homeschooling, especially outdoors! We are so glad to have discovered that learning is all about being creative and loving the environment that you work in! The more you love, the more you learn. Make every adventure a lesson!
Photo by: Alisa Martinez
