John Harris Elem Outdoor Sustainable Classroom

Our wish is to provide a sustainable, lifelong, outdoor innovative learning space for all of our 670+ students in kindergarten through fifth grade academic setting.  Students will engage in instructional content outside the four walls of the traditional classroom.  A sustainable outdoor classroom would allow students to learn in a multi-sensory environment while fostering the needs of the whole child.

The sustainable outdoor classroom will provide our school community with many unique learning opportunities. Children can experience nature in many ways which is supporting Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. There is a full range of immersive academic and social emotional activities for children to participate in linking to our core content areas and beyond. The outdoor classroom experience evolves from and reflects children’s changing needs and interests and prepares each student to succeed in a changing world. 

Outdoor classrooms promote and enhance self regulation, engagement, focus, and clarity which all lend to greater academic success. Stronger language, problem-solving, and communication skills will develop through projects and group activities occurring in our outdoor learning space. Students will also continue to develop an interest in science and math by connecting with nature. The opportunities for learning and making connections are endless.
The sustainable outdoor classroom will be designed and implemented with considerations for accessibility for all staff and students. Classroom teachers, specialists, staff, mentors and community organizations will all benefit from this new learning space.

For more information please use the link below:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LK_081A1ekKpzqTVmbooq36KzSjypQXvTwj4eJw9Ieo/edit?usp=sharing 

Please consider supporting the JHE community today and for years to come.