dkemp learning portfolio Blog

Academic Benefits of Outdoor Classrooms

As future educators, we’re always looking for ways to make learning meaningful, to move beyond memorization and help students experience concepts in action. Outdoor classrooms open up countless opportunities for this kind of learning,...

Building Social Skills and Classroom Community

Building Social Skills and Classroom Community Research on outdoor learning consistently highlights its benefits for fostering social skills and strengthening classroom community. Learning in outdoor spaces encourages students to work together, communicate effectively, and...

Grab and Go Outdoor Lessons

Outdoor Lessons & Activities — Plug & Play Menu Follow the Hyperlinks for more resources/ideas/info! Fast, Low-Prep Starters (5–10 min) Fast, low-prep ways to get outside and focus students Literacy & Oral Language Make...

Physical Health and Active Learning

Why Movement Matters and How Outdoor Activities Fight Sedentary Habits in Schools It’s no secret that today’s students are spending more time sitting than ever before at desks, in front of screens, and during...

Mental Boost of Nature

Inquiry Question How can short, regular outdoor learning times help my students feel less anxious, improve mood, and better manage big feelings during class? Rationale (Why this matters) Simple Plan One-Week Rollout (repeat weekly)...

Reflection #2 – Stop Motion Animation

This week in class, we explored stop-motion animation by creating a short video of penguins running away from a polar bear. Even though our group members wouldn’t describe ourselves as particularly tech-savvy, the app...