PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. -- Work has been happening at Baker Elementary this summer to create an outdoor classroom space at the school.
The outdoor classroom includes a message board for instruction, bird houses, and native plant IDs. Teachers also have written grade-level specific curriculum involving the classroom in the school’s economics theme.
“Our lifestyles are becoming increasingly digital, and I wanted to give students and teachers a well deserved ‘screen break,’” said organizer and parent Lauren Murray. “I hoped by giving them a comfortable place to continue the learning outside, students will begin to foster a real relationship with the outdoors and what makes Arkansas such a great place. The classroom is also a token of my appreciation of how seamlessly the teachers and administration have continued the learning and fun over the past year.”
“Baker students will take the learning outside starting this fall,” said Baker Elementary principal Dr. Sonya Whitfield. “Each grade level has been assigned a focus of study centered around the theme Bees, Trees, and Economees. The beauty of the outdoor classroom curriculum (written by Baker teachers) is it not only allows outdoor exploration but it also compliments our Economics focus.”
A trail and bridge is also included in the outdoor area and the school has plans to expand the trip, add more educational spaces, and build a raised bed garden.
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