Funding Support for Outdoor Teaching and Learning

Did you know that federal Elementary & Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds can be used to support environmental and outdoor education activities?! The Illinois State Board of Education has allocated $512 million directly to Illinois school districts through ESSER and districts are deciding right now what to do with it. 

Please see the following documents for more information or reach out to EEAI Executive Director, Abbie Enlund if you have any questions; executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com

• eeGuidance for ESSER
• eeGuidance Graphic

Then, please reach out to your school-based partners as well as your home school district and ask that environmental and outdoor education activities be included in their plan, activities such as:  

• field experiences for students, 
• outdoor classrooms,
• professional development for teachers, and
• green school activities. 

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Resources to Increase Outdoor Teaching and Learning

Start with the WHY

To build a supportive network of educators, administrators and community members is it important that everyone understand WHY outdoor learning is vital for students. 

• Green Schoolyards America - Why Green Schoolyards
  
• Children and Nature Network - Nature can Improve Academic Outcomes
• National Wildlife Federation - Benefits of Schoolyard Habitats

Implement Successfully

Just like teaching indoors, outdoor teaching and learning comes with challenges and implementation strategies. 

• Green Schoolyard America - Schoolyard Activities
• Education Outside - Best Practices for Teaching in School Gardens
• Project Learning Tree Tips for Teaching Outdoors
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary
    
  • Secondary

Plan the Space

From evaluating your current space, examining available resources and deciding the first elements that are needed to increase outdoor teaching and learning there are resources to help any school or learning facility design and plan out their outdoor learning spaces. 

• Nature Explore - Outdoor Classroom Design
• CDC - Shade Planning for Schools
• Project Learning Tree - Tips and Tricks for Creating an Outdoor Classroom
• Green Schoolyard America - Creating Outdoor Spaces
• Site Design Group - Space to Grow Schoolyards

Get Support

Educators from all over the world are now engaging in more outdoor teaching than ever before. Find ways to connect, learn and share ideas with other educators passionate about teaching outdoors. 

• Green Schoolyards America - Community of Practice
• Join EEAI!
• National Outdoor Learning Library

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Get Inspired!