What: A super easy way to add in outdoor minutes is to walk outside instead of in the hallway when moving about the school. For example, if your students need to go to gym, walk to the first floor, out the closest door, around to the door closest to the gym, and then back in and to the gym. If you have more time, you could take a lap halfway or all the way around the school.
How: Think in advance about a transition to a different location in the building that could utilize walking outside. Inform students about the purpose of the outside walk (to get more time outside, breath fresh air, notice nature, be present) and the route the class will take. Try different routes depending on where the class is going. Perhaps you walk around the building on the way back from lunch or recess when students already have coats. Perhaps you head outside on the way back from art and take a brief moment to close eyes and breath while outside. While this outside walk might take a minute or two longer, getting a moment outdoors will benefit students and will be worth the extra time.
When: Whenever the class is transitioning to a different location in the school–cafeteria, gym, art, music, library, etc.
Who: Any teacher or teacher assistant who helps students transition in the hallway to different locations around the school could decide to walk outside instead of in.
Administrators could set up a simple way for teachers to inform the office when they will take this quick trip outside, and help teachers access multiple exit/entry points.
Materials: None
Why: Since the class is already leaving the room and spending time walking in the hall, why not walk outside instead to get some extra outdoor time in? It is easy, quick, takes almost no planning, and does not require an additional transition specifically to go outside.
Consider: Consider which doors you have a key or access to. Some schools provide teachers with key card ID badges that access all major doors, others still use hard copy keys. If you need access to an additional door/doors to make these outdoor transitions possible, consider asking the school secretary or custodian for extra door keys.
Barriers addressed: Control over Curriculum; Materials and Funds; Scheduling; Time Pressure; Time/Space in Standards; Transitions