It Not "Just Recess" Anymore!

Teachers often heave a sigh of relief when they take their students out to recess. Finally! The children can burn off the pent up energy they had been accruing for the past few hours indoors. But what if we change our outlook on outdoor play time? What if we create an outdoor environment that offered all of the learning opportunities that one would typically find indoors? What if children could run out to a well-planned play yard to find experiences in math, science, nature, dramatic play, water, building and construction, sensory activities, physical development, art and music? What if they play yard developed critical thinking, discovery, problem solving, and cooperative skills? The result would be that we wouldn't have "just recess" anymore. We would have The Outdoor Classroom!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Edublog Awards


Click Here To Visit the Edublog Awards Site



I am new to the blogging scene, but over the past few months, I have been inspired by so many fantastic bloggers. These bloggers are all educators who share the common desire to help fuel their own passion for education and inspire that passion in others. Truly, there are so many blogs that should make the list and I regret not being able to mention every person that has inspired and encouraged me.

Unfortunately, we can only name one blog per category, so here are the blogs that have stood out in my experience thus far and who share the passion for childhood learning both indoors AND out!

Best Teacher Blog: Let The Children Play
Jennifer's blog oozes with creativity, passion and dedication. She has an undeniable passion for encouraging play both indoors and out. With as many followers as she has, she manages to make personal contact through comments on her site and on the sites of others.

Best Group Blog: Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning
This dynamic duo share oodles and oodles of fun, creative, and play based ideas on their blog. Their site offers dozens of links and resources, hundreds of creative play ideas and gorgeous photos to inspire every educator in the field of Early Childhood.

Best Ed Tech/Resource Sharing Blog: I'm a Teacher, Get Me OUTSIDE, Here!
Juliet has a wealth of resources to share on her blog. She has a dramatic desire to share the passion of teaching outdoors and she is very active in the blogging scene. Her dedication extends through her site and into the sites of others as she comments, encourages and praises fellow bloggers. She is always quick to share ideas and shares fabulous posts and photos to inspire and encourage. Her blog truly defends the case for outdoor learning and she is a definite leader in the field.

Most Influential Blog Post: Teacher Tom - Spoiled Brats
Tom is an outstanding educator, blogger and spokesperson for the field of Early Childhood. He is one of the most influential bloggers and his posts always have value and voice.

Best Individual Blog: Happy Hooligans
Lessons, Ideas and Blogs, OH MY! There isn't a day that goes by without one, two or even three posts from Jackie. Jackie offers posts that cover the spectrum of creativity - from art to outdoor play!

Best New Blog: Learning for Life
It is hard to believe that Kierna has only been on the blogging scene since January! When I first started my site in October, she was one of the first to jump on board and offer comments, resources and encouragement to me. Her own site does the same! Gorgeous photos, loads of informational posts, and a passion for learning outdoors....gotta love it!

Thanks to ALL of you fantastic bloggers and to the others out there who are equally fantastic. And to a few of my other faves...Mama Pea Pod, Greening Sam and Avery, I Work 4 Kids, The Outdoor Preschool, and Make and Play ...you all ROCK! Thanks for being such inspirations in the field!


2 comments:

  1. Many belated thanks for nominating "I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here!"

    I've had a mad week (hence no blog posts from me) and got waylaid by another of your posts last night.

    Best wishes
    Juliet

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