There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there definitely are free schoolyard learning resources! One of the best sets of materials available is provided through the joint efforts of Green Schoolyards America and The International School Grounds Alliance.
According to its website, the International School Grounds Alliance encourages schools around the globe to take students outside and celebrate the school grounds. This month is set aside as a focal point to encourage the use of the schoolyard for learning and play!
Download free copies of the 2017 edition of the International School Grounds Activity Guide. The website explains that “the activities in the Guide are intended for children and youth ages 3-18 years old. They support learning across the curriculum, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage play and exploration during children’s free time, before, during and after school. Many of the activities focus on ways to help kids understand the places they live, engage in art projects, and collaborate with their communities to improve their grounds.”
Activities are presented in a crisp, convenient and user-friendly format. Each activity includes an age designation, brief description, materials list, preparation tips, directions and suggestions for variations. Color photos are also used effectively to illustrate the activities.
The Green Schoolyards America organization has produced a companion Activity guide that follows the same format as the international edition. The two guides contain contributions from 143 organizations in 21 countries!
To get your free copies, just go to the following link that connects to the International School Grounds organization:
http://www.internationalschoolgrounds.org/isgm/
Those of us who believe in the power of outdoor learning are always looking for meaningful activities that emphasize the outdoors. This free digital resource provides everything needed to focus interest on the use of the schoolyard as a teaching tool.
