The benefits of outdoor education are well known, whatever the age of the students. Being outside gives young learners a chance to relax and unwind and to see things from a different perspective. That’s why a gazebo makes an excellent classroom – it’s a sturdy and stable structure that give unparalleled access to learning in the open air. It can be open to all the elements or covered with a waterproof cladding for year-round usability.
Truly Inclusive Learning
One of the main areas where a gazebo scores highly is its accessibility. Whether you prefer a rectangular or hexagonal design, your outdoor classroom can be created to suit your school’s accessibility needs, making it a truly inclusive space.
Under-Used Space
A gazebo classroom is a clever way of using space in the school grounds and revitalising areas that would otherwise become unkempt and untidy. The gazebo can become the hub for nature trails and gardens that reclaim space and put your pupils directly in touch with nature, which has proven benefits for concentration and focus.
The Great British Weather
We’re all aware that the unpredictability of the Great British weather can put off teachers who’d like to experiment with outdoor education but don’t want to get caught in a sudden downpour. A gazebo will offer protection from the blazing sun and a howling gale and, if you add an all-weather cover, the pouring rain too. Never underestimate how much of a mental boost young people can enjoy by being outside in all weathers.
Growing Knowledge in the Great Outdoors
A gazebo is the perfect design for a different type of classroom because it’s robust, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. Make sure it’s waterproof and big enough to accommodate the entire class and all your learners will enjoy the benefits of being outside, especially those with special educational needs, who’ll enjoy the different sensations of being in a natural classroom.
Understanding the Environment
Understanding the environment and our place in it is essential to good citizenship, and what better place to learn about our place in the natural scheme of things than in an outdoor classroom? Through natural observation and a blend of formal and informal learning, learners can really appreciate their environment and learn how best to care for it. Science and geography lessons are valuable complementary learning.
Focus on Cross-Curricular Studies
Of course, an outdoor classroom can be used for subjects far beyond environmental studies. For example, you can use piles of rocks to create art, draw pictures in the dirt or make rubbings or prints of the elements around you. Because students learn in different ways, you can use tactile elements to solve maths problems. Listen to the sounds of nature and let them inspire a music lesson or poetry writing. Finally, consider creating packs for other teachers and students inspired by outdoor learning in a classroom unlike any other. There are so many benefits to creating this kind of structure.