Kearney Public Schools 'Outdoor Days'

By: Erin Myers Email

Updated: Mon 9:36 PM, Sep 17, 2012

It may not look like a typical classroom. That's because Kearney Public Schools is taking class outside for 'First Grade Outdoor Days.'

Coordinator Matt Jones says it may look like just fun, but plenty of learning is taking place.

"Out here it's more structured. It's more focused on a certain learning goal. There are concepts that they're learning," said Jones.

Kearney public schools has provided the outdoor sessions for it's first graders for nearly 15 years. Some activities that the students get to experience include taking a walk on the nature trail or looking for bugs in the garden. According to Jones, a student favorite is a short history lesson inside a tepee.

Jones added that having opportunities like these are vital for some students.

"The kids that may have challenges inside the classroom do a lot better when they're outside because it's calming and they can focus more," said Jones.

"There's a lot of different things that they can learn hands-on outside, than they can in the classroom. It's a neat experience for these kids."

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