melissel Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 The few times I've tried it, it really hasn't worked because DD7 is distracted by wanting to play or wander. I also find it hard to read aloud because DD likes to sit next to me and read along. However, I'm really wanting to take advantage of the beautiful weather we're having and sit out on the patio. If you do school outside, how do you make it work logistically? TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adams101 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 My kids have been doing their reading outside on the porch. It works for them, but they are 9 and 11. It is finally cooling off here instead of over 100 every day.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Yes, we do some studies outdoors when weather permits. I prefer to do worksheets inside as they tend to blow around easily. I guess you could always tape them down to a cookie sheet or something though. We do our read alouds outside frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 my favorite memories of schooling with the boys were starting the day with devotions and breakfast at the river, and reading our history out loud around a campfire. Sometimes we'd cook something outside and eat or drink hot beverages around the fire. SWEET days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Clothespins, lots of clothespins LOL. And clipboards. A long glider so everyone can sit down together. Rope swings and docks are good for giving everyone something to do while you read aloud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauracolumbus Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Yes, but only if I'm not in a hard core mood. Fun, relaxing reading or art work is good for outside time. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarlaB Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I, too, only opt for outside work when I'm not in a hard-core homeschool mood. We use clipboards for worksheets, or use chalk on the driveway. And I love doing science outside...even just reading the info sheets seems more organic when outdoors. :) Soon enough we'll be cooped up inside because of the cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 We try sometimes but it's almost always too windy. And if they get distracted, it's usually for a good cause (nature study), so I don't have the heart to bring them back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 We can do it at home, but not at the state park (lesson learned). Ds does get distracted, especially with little brother playing away. It can be done, but, for us, it has to be short spurts, one subject at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 especially with the weather we have had the last few days. We have a table on the patio so sit outside to work, weather permitting.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 In our last house, I did school with my daughter on the trampoline once and also several times sitting next to her on the front steps. Our townhouse doesn't have as good of outdoor options, so we probably won't here in LA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayle in Guatemala Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We will do reading outside or something like that, but, not a subject like Math where you need to balance a book, notebook, pencil, and other things because we don't have a table outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Our school room is an extra room that is attached to our garage. Our patio furniture is only steps away. So, yes, we school outside sometimes. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moni Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We don't. If I want the kids to concentrate and they don't concentrate outside. well, I'd just do school indoors. :seeya: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We do. We probably should more often. I always figure if she starts playing it's all to the good. I often have a hard time getting her to play outside. Our biggest problem is that it's only pleasant in the morning early, but that's also when the moquitoes come wandering off the golf course, out for blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Yes, we read under the trees in the backyard and do science experiments on the front drive. The younger ones do tend to get distracted when I read, but if I pick a fun book they will come back easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We do reading, PE and lunch outside. We also do messy science labs outside if the weather is good. We don't do anything else though. Those things let us take some outdoor breaks in our day, but either don't require concentration or are easy for my kids to concentrate for. I would never consider doing math, science study, social studies (other than a living book) or writing outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtroad Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Can't do it.... to much to see and get distracted by! Can't even read outside! Just hurry & finish and enjoy the out of doors as soon as possible.:) I know many love it.... I wish I could get any work done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girlmom123 Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Yes, we love to school outside, but it is in short spurts as someone else mentioned. When they were smaller, they used to get so distracted but now they're so used to it, they much better able to focus. And it doesn't get that windy here, so don't have to worry about papers blowing. I would suggest while they're little, just do little spurts, and maybe incorporate some activities outside that correspond to the lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanchGirl Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I tried today and it didn't last long due to a distracted 7 year old. I will try again tomorrow. I might lay a blanket down on the grass so they are right next to the book instead of sitting around the patio table. We'll see how it goes. I hate to waste this beautiful weather sitting inside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radish4ever Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 The only outside schooling we do is PE ;) AKA free play. hehe Sometimes I'll let them go wild with sidewalk chalk and I'll request certain things get drawn or written (to reinforce lessons) or sometimes while they hop on stepping stones, we'll do counting or the alphabet or something.... Our weather is rarely mild enough to school outside on a regular basis until about October :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalknot Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We school outside fairly often. I hate being stuck indoors. My son regularly does some subjects on the back patio, at his whim. So long as the work is done on these days, I don't really care where he does it. WHen we MOVE school outside, we go with the understanding that there WILL be distractions, and that it won't be as efficient as schooling indoors. But isn't that part of the point of taking it outside? :) change of scenery, change of pace I try to have a game plan so that the kids know what to expect. "Okay, first we're going to read 2 chapters, then we'll picnic [our version of narrations is done during this time - lots of discussions on what we've just read and summarizing it]. After our picnic you can play on the playground for about 15 minutes, then we'll head over to the creek to finish up math." We move around the park, so that the transition back from play to school is less about "aw, man, I want to keep playing" and more of a natural segue (they'd have to leave that play spot anyhow). We have a reading and picnic spot; then not far away, we do prayers in the volleyball pit; we do math down by the creek; etc. Knowing what to expect, and having a general "outside school" routine helps us balance school with play on those days. Plus they know that whatever work isn't done is tacked on to the next day, so my son tries to manage his time efficiently. Some days he'll chose more play than school outside, and have a loooong school day the next day as he makes up his work. I'm okay with that, so is he. Most times, though, he strikes a self-imposed balance and gets most of his work done outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We don't try to do reading, writing etc outside. We do nature walks and related stuff (eg today we walked around looking for signs of Spring and picking flowers to display on our Seasonal Table). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 It's a lovely image, and occasionally we can do something like reading aloud in the hammock, but mostly we go outside during school to run in the field next to our house or take the dog out. I always get such a grateful, joyous feeling when I see Nature Girl out running and being "free," which she can't do when she's at the school down the road. We are building a tree house--maybe we will school in that a little when it's built! I can envision her doing some independent work up there, at least!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1GirlTwinBoys Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 We do a lot of our reading outside. Usually on the front porch swing or we pack a picnic, blanket & books and go to our side yard. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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