Six Outdoor Language Arts Activities

Some students have trouble focusing in Language Arts classes. Since the weather will still be warm when students are back in school, there is a chance for teachers to take their students outside and teach them how to read and write in new and creative ways.

EducationWorld has gathered a list of six outdoor English activities and games for teachers to use with their students. The list was generated from a number of educational blogs and websites, including Busy Teacher and Spec English.

1. I Spy: For the younger crowd, take the students outside for a picnic and break the students apart in groups. Have the students take a look around outdoors and play a game of I Spy with their classmates. Make sure they take in the scenery, the sights, and use non traditional objects to have their students guess. When finished, ask them what they chose and why they chose it. This way, students can use a wider vocabulary and practice their vocabulary on different flowers, hobbies, animals, and more. 
2. Relax, Listen and Describe: Get a large blanket and bring students outside to a park, playground, lake, or other spot. Have them lay on their backs, close their eyes, and listen to the sounds of nature. This activity is ideal for students of all ages, and will help them with their auditory skills and description skills. Afterwards, have them sit up and write what they hear, and even stretch it to writing a short story inspired by the sounds that they heard. This can be derived from animals, the sounds of cars, people, and more. 
3. Following Maps and Directions: This is a great activity for students learning how to understand directions, ask for directions, and navigation. Give students a map of the school fully equipped with street names, and send them on a treasure hunt inside and outside the school. Get other teachers involved and ready to answer specific questions regarding directions and more. Split students into teams and watch as they learn organization and cooperation. Have them write about their experiences and have them go on a quest with a parent or guardian as a homework assignment for more reflection. 
4. Who am I?: Get students outside and sit in a circle. Cut out strips of cardboard to make a headband for each child with a flashcard in the middle. Then, post a picture of a person, place or thing and give them out to each student to wear. Have each student stand in front of the class and ask questions about their identity. See if they can guess who or what they are!
5. Web of Hands: This is a team building game where a group of students stand in a circle and create a web by connecting their right hands with another student's right hand. Make sure they do not hold hands with the student next to them. Then, ask them to do the same with their left hands, thus creating a web. The rule of the game is to disengage themselves from the web without just letting go of both hands. After they have solved it, have students reflect on the game with a written reaction, reflecting on diversity, teamwork, comfort zones, and more. 
6. Read Outside: Assign a time for students to grab a blanket or towel and read outside. After the class, have them complete the assignment of reflecting on reading indoors verses reading outdoors. Hopefully, students will see that reading in different environments can be beneficial or detrimental to their concentration or interest in what they are reading. 

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor