Dirty Teaching: A Beginner's Guide to Learning Outdoors

by Juliet Robertson

One of the keys to a happy and creative classroom is getting out of it and this book will give you the confidence to do just that. Drawing on academic research, Juliet explains why learning outdoors is so beneficial and provides plenty of tips and activities to help you to integrate outdoor learning into your teaching practice, providing a broad range of engaging outdoor experiences for your students. There is no need for expensive tools or complicated all you need is your coat and a passion for learning - oh, and you'd better bring the kids too! Topics covered forest schools, learning outside the classroom, outdoor education, nature activities, caring for the environment, play in schools, investigative play, urban outdoor activities, problem solving, creative thinking and strategies for supporting curriculum objectives. For all primary practitioners who want to shake up their usual classroom routine and discover the benefits of teaching outdoors. Dirty Teaching was a finalist in the Non-Fiction People's Book Prize Winter 2014 collection. ; Juliet Robertson offers tips and tricks to help any primary school teacher kick-start or further develop their outdoor practice. ; Introduction The Golden Principles of Teaching Outdoors Before You Go Outside The First Few Sessions Thinking, Reflecting and Reviewing Creating and Constructing A Sense of Adventure Exploring What's Out There Caring for Nature What to do in Concrete Jungles Keeping the Momentum Going Nagging Doubts, Fears and Worries Embedding Outdoor Learning Cross Reference of Ideas to Subject Areas Bibliography Index

Genres: Teaching, Parenting, Education

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2014

Reviews

[Angie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a very eye-catching title! If I ever left it sitting around the house, my husband or any visitors would definitely do a double-take! I have always been a huge believer in the outdoors and have taken many classes outdoors. This book is aimed more at the elementary level, but has many great and simple ideas to take any class outside! I ended up folding over so many pages that it started getting thicker and thicker, so I just gave up and decided the whole book needs to be referred back to. If you are looking to take some classes outside, or if you are hesitant to start this process, I would DEFINITELY encourage you to take a peek at this book and it will convince you to start tomorrow, with a couple of activities to do in your back pocket!

[Fiona Lodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book really is a beginner's guide, it give the reader clear step by step instructions and things to consider when first introducing outdoor learning to the class. From there, great ideas follow. Handy tables to use to audit outdoor learning experiences and lots of further reading suggestions. Having read this book I feel much more confident getting my class outside for their learning.

[Aleks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting up to circle time! Really appreciated the ideas but as I work with younger kids (4 yrs) some contents was not relevant for me, thus the three starts.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful resource for Early Years OE. It's been fun to implement some of the ideas in the nice weather.

Some ideas aren't possible when stuck on a school yard though, but they can be adapted.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! So many tips and tricks for taking all learning outdoors.

[Trever · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book does a good job of including tips and tricks for taking anyone outside. I think it is not quite a beginners guide, but more of a checklist if of anything. I thought the pictures look good, even though some of them don't quite relate to where they are at in the book.

Good just not enough.