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The outdoor classroom, set aside ten years ago for the use of Jones Lane Elementary School, is a large, grassy area, located on a downhill slope behind the school, and backing up to the Potomac Watershed. The outdoor classroom boasts two sets of stairs constructed by previous parent volunteers, a terraced area suitable for vegetable plantings, and a conservation area containing young trees.

According to the Association of Maryland Environmental and Outdoor Educators, an outdoor classroom improves student performance. Studies show that children enjoy learning more and retain information longer when hands-on activities are incorporated into the curriculum. Students in schools with outdoor classrooms (Environment as an Integrating Context, or EIC) show improved student attendance, greater motivation to achieve, and score higher on tests of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies as well as tests of critical thinking.

An outdoor classroom can be used to:

(1) Allow students to use measuring, graphing, mapping, and mathematical skills to solve real-world problems;

(2) Allow students to refine skills in scientific observation, data collection and analysis;

(3) Provide a means to serve students with different learning styles and support students with learning disabilities;

(4) Enable an integrative approach to the curriculum, whereby information and knowledge can be transformed into real-world experiences and skills.

The Outdoor Classroom committee is soliciting comments and participation from teachers and parents. If you have an idea for how it could be used or if you just love the outdoors, then consider joining the Outdoor Classroom Committee.

Contact:

Rosemary DeRose, Deroseline@comcast.net Co-Chair Outdoor Classroom Committee

Lesley Macdonald, lesleyjmacdonald@aol.com Co-Chair Outdoor Classroom Committee

Outdoor Classroom

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