Description: Students explore nature through a variety of sensory activities in a circuit. The experience encourages students to slow down, engage their senses, and discover new ways of experiencing and connecting with the natural world.
Intention: Students develop awareness of their surroundings by using different senses to explore and experience nature. They are encouraged to observe, listen, feel, and reflect on their connection with the natural world.
- Choose a location, either the school grounds or a nearby natural area.
- Inform students that they will go outside, so they should bring suitable shoes and clothing.
- Print the Activity Cards.
- Set up the activity circuit and decide how much time students will have at each station.
Start with a short conversation about nature. Ask questions as:
- What do you think nature is?
- What do you consider nature?
- Where is nature?
- Are you often in nature?
- Do you enjoy being in nature?
Then contiue talking about the weather. Ask questions as:
- What weather is it today?
- In which weather conditions do you like it most to be outside?
- In which weather conditions do you prefer to stay inside?
- What would it be like to be outside right now?
Divide the class into small groups. You can do this for example through the methods of Get Outside! or Get Outside!.
Start the circuit! Optionally give students a maximum time at every station.
Optionally evaluate experiences together, for example through the Get Outside! method.
Didactic tips
- Adapt the number of stations and the time at each station to the age and group size.
- Encourage students to work at their own pace and explore rather than rushing to complete every activity.
- Remind students to treat plants, animals, and the natural environment with care.
- The activity can be done in different weather conditions. Use the weather discussion to help students notice how weather affects their experience of nature.
- For a quieter ending, use Get Outside! to give every student an opportunity to share their experience.