Outdoor Classroom

The outdoor classroom at Russell Elementary School is a great, natural space to bring what students are learning about in science classes, into the real world. The students can see nature all around them. It has varied natural eco-system features, a weather station, planting beds, and a pathway to walk through it all. There, students can observe, investigate, discover, and use science vocabulary in a natural setting.

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative has outdoor classroom lessons that we have access to use, in addition to lessons that align with the curriculum units. All Russell Elementary School teachers use the outdoor classroom, not just the science teachers. It is a cherished place to sit and write, conduct lessons, and perhaps plant a garden.