Outdoor Learning

Lorien Wood, a Vienna Private School, Becomes a Certified 'Schoolyard Habitat'

As a certified “Schoolyard Habitat” by the National Wildlife Federation, Lorien Wood integrates outdoor education to deepen learning and stewardship of God’s creation. Inspired by Charlotte Mason, our teachers weave nature-based experiences into each unit, fostering observation and intellectual growth.

Overview:

Muddy Mondays give our students the chance to explore their rich academic curriculum in the context of nature. The teachers use the outdoors as a tool to teach the children academic skills in an experiential way and the children gain a deeper sense of how to care for God's world. By devoting a chunk of time once a week to learning outdoors, we expand the classroom beyond four walls and intentionally seek to discover more about God’s creation and our place in it through our work and play.

Stations:

Students rotate through outdoor stations every week; the teacher-lead stations may include STEAM, Nature Study, and Book & Garden Club. Students travel to their stations in mixed grade level groups: K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade are mixed separately, but the two groups will sometimes work together in one larger group at each station.

Sit Spots & Bible Study:

Each teacher leads her students in a Bible study and guided time of observation. Students will learn how to sit quietly and reflect on God’s word and His created world.

Discovery Challenge:

Each week Kindergarten through 5th grade students will engage in large group “games” that illustrate the need for community and teamwork, exploration stations (digging, mud kitchen, building, weather station) in designated areas, or unit-related outdoor activities for each Form.

Being Good Stewards of God's Creation.

Outdoor learning helps students understand that God created the world and that we are commissioned to be good stewards of His creation. We can learn more about God through exploring His creation, as His creation reflects His character. Through outdoor learning students learn to:

Honor God’s creation
Use materials in nature constructively
Problem solve as a team
Engage their imagination
Sit and observe quietly
Engage in Bible study
Learn resilience in all types of weather

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