OVERVIEW

Learning…’Outside’ the Box

“Life in the open air, in the sunshine…improves physical health, while the calm surroundings, the silence, the wonders of nature satisfy the need of the adolescent mind for reflection and meditation.” ~ Maria Montessori

Bend-Lapine’s (and much of the world’s) 2020-2021 school year was like no other: fully distance learning. At-home learning support and online school vastly improve but still, both the Distance Learning and BLOS programs RELIED on having an adult at home to facilitate students’ work. After experiencing the unprecedented at-home learning experience during COVID, many of us were left with a sense that there are more creative ways to navigate learning. Many families formed learning pods, small consistent groups of students supported by either a rotation of parents or-a caregiver/tutor.

Especially in the middle years, a crucial element of development for youth is gaining experience, independence, and confidence–socially, emotionally and intellectually. Less, to no, “in-school” time can mean reduced, essential socialization with peers, less physical activity, more idle and inside time and poses challenges to working families and parents who feel unprepared to “teach”. There is an opportunity to capitalize on this moment in education, imagining a learning environment that fits both the times…and the age.

Minds Outside’s mission emerged after learning that during previous pandemics, schools around the country moved classrooms outside, with positive outcomes, throughout the seasons. As we have learned, exposure and risk increase in an indoor environment. There are exciting possibilities when we think ‘outside the box’. Using outdoor spaces on the property, we can support, nurture and enhance students’ learning and socio-emotional development while addressing social distancing.

Are you CRAZY?!

There is no intention to turn your children into ice cubes! Students at the turn of the century relied on blankets and warm soapstones at their feet: Today, we have patio heaters. Desert sunshine. Puffies! Most importantly, the students themselves may surprise you with their vigor and attitude. Successful outdoor schools are proof of that. If it still sounds a bit too ‘outside’ your comfort zone, we can find other solutions and are open to your ideas!

OUTSIDE CLASSROOMS PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Working in an outside, socially-distanced classroom set-up in a protected open sheltered space as well as other natural activity areas, our goal is to offer creative, engaging activities and environments to support and inspire students as they navigate their online school work, and then expand upon the concepts to make them more meaningful and active. Through the use of an open-air classroom, the natural environment and small learning clusters (learning pods), students will receive individualized support to understand and complete school classwork, but we also want to extend learning and offer alternative activities to spark interest, deepen knowledge and encourage inquiry. Lessons and activities will expand upon and/or reinforce grade-level (or accelerated) target concepts. Exploring through ‘real world’ scenarios, integrative projects, outdoor experiences, environmental education and more, students can deepen understanding and contextualize content, all while while growing their social, emotional and intellectual self-confidence and autonomy.

OUTDOOR LEARNING FORMATS

These concepts are not rigid by any means. If you have an idea/need, please share or ask! (Photos below of course do not reflect masks and social distancing that will be in place.)

Outdoor Classroom

Our 3-acre property on the edge of town offers an ideal setting for creating an outdoor classroom. For cohorts of 6-8 students, an open-air carport becomes the classroom–equipped with heaters for cold weather, desks, a dry-erase board and other educational materials as needed. Students will receive individual support in all subjects to complete required schoolwork. (Including Spanish and French) The difference is that concepts can be augmented and experienced through interactive lessons and projects, differentiated as necessary to match each student’s needs and readiness. Students can expect hands-on learning, in a climate of critical thought, responsible independence and accountability. Cohorts will remain together to avoid COVID “cross-pollination”, and will be grouped by similar needs and levels, as well as for optimal social dynamics.

Learning Support Pods

If you have more than one child, or another family with similar age students, a small learning support cluster is an option. Designed to remain small in order to offer each student individual, grade-level support and learning extensions, a group of two to four students already in a COVID-friendly “social bubble” can learn together.

These clusters can be flexible in terms of location: in your home or open space, taking all COVID precautions, another chosen location, or at our open-air location.

Individual Tutoring

Experienced and certified in teaching and creating curricula for all subjects grades 3-10, Alyce is equipped to help your student navigate both in-class assignments and also reinforce and use “different” work for all abilities to either accelerate or receive the extra support they need. With a romance language background, she has taught Spanish and French (college minor), so can offer support there as well.

In addition, a 15-year career as a freelance writer and a well-used Journalism degree will be an asset to challenge students at the high school level to excel in their writing and literary analysis.