Place-Based Learning

Exposure to natural environments gives learners a change of place and pace that can help them strengthen their literacy skills.

There are plenty of logistics to consider, but educators say outdoor classes keep kids and teachers safer—and provide much-needed fresh air.

These ideas for high school field trips teach students about the history of their community in ways that connect to the curriculum.

People, places, and problems offer rich opportunities for real-world learning. This unit design framework ensures engaging, aligned learning objectives, experiences, and assessments.

By identifying and documenting important places and spaces at school, students become stewards of their learning environment.

Exploring the natural world is a powerful strategy for middle and high school. Here are four ways to get students learning outside.

When students approach a field trip with the goal of answering their own questions, they get to be in charge of what they learn

Analyzing a monument can guide students to engage in observation, decoding, and inquiry, sparking curiosity and deeper learning.

Immersing students in their communities allows them to learn about the world from right in their own backyards.

Teachers can boost elementary students’ engagement by exploring their interests and connecting them to units of study.

High school teachers can give students a chance to gain insights into their community by exploring the nuances of immigration patterns.

Climate change lessons become more relevant to students when they learn about how it’s affecting their communities.

As elementary students turn squares of paper into animals they’re studying, the age-old Japanese art form makes lessons more memorable.

Spending time outside one day each week helps students find a sense of calm and become careful observers of the natural world.

Going outside helps students focus, and activities for classes from social studies to math can incorporate the natural world.