Reading the World, Not Just the Words

Originally appears in the Spring 2015 issue

I remember the moment when I fully grasped the power of learning outdoors. I was on a bird walk with over 20 fifth-graders when we happened on to a pond. It was spring. The water was full of frogs’ eggs, tadpoles, and detritus from the previous year’s growth. Crawly and slimy things galore! All of a sudden they were observing, hypothesizing, analyzing. They were scientists! Amid shouts of glee, they shared their findings with me and with each other. My plans for birding went out the window as I stepped back to let the pond be the teacher. That day led to many more adventures as I learned the rewards of making space for students to engage with the live happenings outside of the classroom in a practice called place-based education. While my learning began in a natural place away from the school, all teachers have lessons awaiting them in the built and natural spaces closer to their classrooms.