What: If free-choice time is an established part of a classroom schedule, why not take the class outside during that time? An easy option is offering extra recess time on the playground. Other options include offering some play and nature exploration choices for kids such as a nature scavenger hunt, nature art activities, group games, time in the school garden, or time in a section of the woods (if your school has woods near the grounds).
How: Make an intentional decision to offer free choice time outside instead of inside. You can decide how much preparation you want to do. The chart below has some easy choices to offer.
| No Prep | Light Prep |
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When: Use the same free choice time that is already in the schedule. Many teachers offer choice time regularly at the end of the day (younger grades) or Friday afternoons (older grades). Or, consider doing free choice time during another part of the week/day. For example, Mondays can be hard days for students to transition back to school, and offering free choice outside might be just what they need to ease back into the school week.
Who: Individual teachers can schedule outside free choice time when it makes sense for their class. Since many teachers often offer free choice on Friday afternoons, think about signing up to use an outdoor space if your school has a sign-up or maybe coordinate with another class to offer some choice activities together and split up the planning.
Materials: No materials, or simple art supplies, nature scavenger hunt sheets, baggies, blocks or toys from the classroom
Why: Since many teachers already offer free choice time in their weekly schedule, taking students outside for it does not require any additional time and provides children with increased minutes outside. Free choice time is easy to plan and organize; kids really like it and are motivated to transition quickly. Since choice time is often offered at the end of the day, you can have students pack-up before going out to reduce transition time.
Barriers addressed: Control over Curriculum; Out of Routine; Scheduling; Time Pressure; Time/Space in Standards