Teacher's Outdoor Classroom During Covid Inspired 'a Wave'

[NJCher]

This Teacher's Outdoor Classroom During Covid Inspired 'a Wave' of Others: 'We Saw a Change in Students'

Nicholas Dixon realized his dream of having an outdoor classroom space when social distancing requirements made it feel more necessary than ever — and he was blown away by how well the students responded.

By Susan Young
August 16, 2021 09:30 AM

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Educator Nicholas Dixon knew his students needed a breath of fresh air after enduring the strain of the COVID-19 lockdown.

"We serve a lot of kids that have tremendous talents, but also have had tremendous trauma due to the pandemic," Dixon, 39, says as he embarks on a new school term this August. "Getting out of the classroom provided such a relief emotionally for a lot of our kids and teachers."

At Julius L. Foust Elementary school in Greensboro, NC, the pandemic opened doors to a new way of teaching after Principal Dixon won a $13,000 grant from the North Carolina Wildlife Council.

He put his bucks towards purchasing equipment from a company in Canada for an outdoor classroom. The chairs, tables and a huge chalkboard all reflecting an outdoorsy feel with the desks looking like tree stumps. Dixon went with his gut when ordering, and now jokes that he may have forgotten how quickly kids grow and future purchases will definitely offer more sizes.

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This is the kind of thing I work on at my three schools that have gardens.

There are some good pics at the link: of the students sitting on tree stumps (we have that) and the teacher who came up with this, among others.

Link

[Diamond_Dog]

1. What an uplifting story

And what an inspiration Principal Dixon is! He really “gets it” as to what’s best for the kids.

I suppose the Republicans who rule his district will be appalled now and will have to pass a state law that mandates that all school must take place in an enclosed building without any mask wearing.

[CottonBear]

2. School was held in outdoor classrooms during the 1918 Flu Pandemic.

Classes were held even in the cold winter months in the Northeast and in NYC.

Everything old is new again. Hopefully, more schools will build outdoor classrooms. Fresh air and nature are good for the mind and the body.

[mopinko]

3. this is why i think a lot of the handwringing about the 'lost year' is prolly hogwash.

at least for the middle class kids whose parents were able to step in and do a decent job.
sucks big time for those moms. but those kids are fine.

[StarryNite]

4. What a great idea.

I love this.

[Magoo48]

5. Magnificent

[Niagara]

6. I had a teacher like that in Junior High

Several times a week while the weather was nice, we went outside to study nature during his life science class. It was fun and interesting. It was the only class that I received a straight A in.