Math and English Concepts

            Outdoor classrooms may be effective in supporting student comprehension of math skills. In one study it was found that when the outdoors was used as a learning environment, there was an increase of 73% “… in the understanding of mathematical concepts and content,” along with a 92% increase in mastery of math skills, and an 89% increase in enthusiasm for studying math. When reviewing the overall effect of outdoor classroom activities on children learning math, the following was found:

• By using the garden as a context for learning mathematics, the children had the     opportunity to connect the meaning of written numerals to the quantities of herbs planted         and grown in the garden. Moreover, the students engaged in counting and fraction       activities associated with the herb biscuit recipe, and they could relate this quantity to its numeric representation. (Winters et al., 2010, p. 248I). 
  

            Not only did the math skills of students improve, but the learning of English concepts increased. In that same study, observations that occurred within the outdoor classroom were recorded in student journals and learning logs. Students later read these entries out loud to the entire class. Similarities and differences were discussed within a group setting, some of which included the color, smell, and texture of certain varieties of plants found in the outdoor learning environment. This helped provide development for writing, reading and oral communication skills within the classroom (Winters et al., 2010, p. 248J).