Literacy Outdoors

EXCITING NEWS....

One Day Intensive Outdoor Literacy Course 18th June - Birmingham and 2nd July - London
If you like the literacy blog posts, you will enjoy the face-to-face opportunities to train with Juliet. There's a whole lot more than what the blog offers! Nothing beats getting outside and trying a wide range of literacy activities in the company of other educators. Juliet has teamed up with Teachology and Independent Thinking Ltd to offer training beyond Scotland. The courses are suitable for Early Years, Primary and SEN teachers.

Outstanding Primary School Literacy Conference - 15th November, London.
This is THE literacy event of the year. Speakers also include Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood and Ros Wilson, creator of Big Writing.


Back to the blog....

Literacy is about loving life and expressing it in different ways. Outside children are often observed talking more, cooperating, socialising, mark making and doing many literacy activities often through their own choice. Please enjoy trying the activities and suggestions in the posts below and let me know how you get on.

Writing Outside

Let's Get Writing Outside! Practical tips for organising writing outside all year round

Creating a Writing-friendly Outdoor Environment - Improving your outdoor space as a place to write

Full Stops Outside - Punctuation inspiration from outside

Sticky Letters - Creating letters using double sided sticky tape and natural materials

Letters from Sticks - Using sticks to create capital letters

Introducing Letters Making letters from natural materials
A Blog Wordle - Using wordles to support outdoor learning activities

Making Sense of Metaphors - An approach that begins with what children do best - playing in a natural setting

Circle Poems in Action. Using tyres for poetry work
What about the Royal Wedding? - Using simple sayings for scavenger hunts and discussions. Creating diamante poems
Snow Stencils and Blood - Using syringes for writing in the snow
Literacy Trails in Outdoor Spaces - The benefits of children creating trails
Nature Detectives - How to keep your secret messages secret outside!
Wooden Spoons at The Coombes School - An interdisciplinary art, design and writing project
Learning on your Doorstep - Ideas about developing characters, settings and sequencing stories outside
Wishing Rods and Speed Breakers - Beech folklore and public art used to inspire writing outdoors


Reading Outside
Reading Books Outdoors - Some basic advice to get this going.
A Poetry Walk at The Coombes School - A simple reading activity outside
A Harry Potter Hunt - Using maps, clues and old-fashioned deduction skills to solve a puzzle

Stones - Linking stones to their potential for literacy and maths activities

Story Stones and Thinking Skills - The power of abstract designs on story telling

The Story of Fred the Ted - Using landmarks and literacy with young children

The Comedy Carpet - Outdoor literacy at its best

Alphabet mirror letters - For seeing letters and outdoor spaces in a different way

Reading Outdoors with Fred the Ted - A World Book Day activity

Recycling Books for use Outdoors. How to lengthen the life of a book by taking it outside
The Snowdrop Story - Why snowdrops show that spring is coming
Reading into the outdoors - Holiday reading and school grounds provision
Beware - Extreme Signage - Environmental print that is not so welcoming
I'm in Charge of Celebrations - An Earth Day activity using this book as a springboard
A Fish Trail Not a Fishy Tale - Using wordplay and sculptures to explore a local area
A Flock of Words - Bird jokes, poems, quotes and ideas for linking literacy with our feathered friends
The Stone Jetty Ramblings - More birds, word games and sculptures that help people interpret and enjoy the local area and the bird life.


Talking and Listening Outside
Listening Activities Outside - Using your sense of hearing
Literacy in the Woods at the Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery - A free play approach to literacy acquisition outside - lots of talking and listening and lots more beside!

Juliet runs outdoor literacy courses for pre-school and primary teachers and practitioners. Here's some of her past workshops which include elements of talking, listening, reading and writing:

• Orientate Yourself to Outdoor Learning - Outdoor literacy workshop based on circles
• Leaf Loving Literacy Activities - The outdoor literacy activities covered at the Growing Greener Futures Conference which had a focus on leaves
• Outdoor Literacy Activities at Mackie Academy - Three poetry structures well worth using outside
• Love Outdoors - Using hearts and Tanka poems at Valentine's Day literacy workshop
• Outdoor Journeys in Language - Linking literacy with journeys

Finally, Anne Sutherland kindly sent me this link to her dissertation about the impact of language work outside. It's called L is for Language - you need to scroll down and click on the link. I'm interested to know about any other curriculum-specific research out there at any level.