Sit Spots – Outdoor Learning for Elementary
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 16, 2023
Sit spots for outdoor learning
Welcome back to another post in my outdoor learning series. With these posts I hope to inspire you to to take your students outside to experience the wonderful learning opportunities presented to us in the great outdoors. Today’s post is all about Sit Spots.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to implement Sit Spots effectively, explore our detailed guide on Outdoor Learning Activities: Sit Spots.
What are sit Spots?
A Sit Spot is a quiet space in nature chosen by the student. It is a space where students can quietly observe and reflect on the natural environment for extended periods of time. Students return to their Sit Spots several times over the course of a school year, noticing the ways the space changes over time. Their chosen spots become spaces to cultivate awareness, settle their minds, and feel balanced. It is a powerful practice that enables students to be more present and connected in their daily lives. While the practice does not take much time, the impacts can be profound.
How do I introduce Sit Spots with my class?
It is fairly simple to set up this activity. After bringing students outside, and explaining what Sit Spots are, I encourage students to head out and choose their space. When looking for their spots, I remind them to look for the following things:
-The space needs to be comfortable, as they will be sitting there for an extended period of time.
-The area needs to be free of danger. For example, you may want them to stay away from a river’s edge, or out of a prickle bush.
-The spot should have a variety of interesting and different things to observe.
You many want to model the choosing of your own spot with your class, testing out a few different areas before choosing the “perfect” spot.
How much time should students spend in their spots?
Like any other new classroom routine, students need time to practice and ease in to the activity. To start, students may struggle with sitting quietly for an extended period of time. I start our first session with a 2-3 minute quiet observation session, and slowly build our stamina over time. After a few sessions, I will provide students with clipboards and pencils, and introduce some different journaling techniques. Depending on age and ability, students can spend anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour in their spots. I find 20-25 minutes is the sweet spot for my grade 2/3 group. This allows ample time for quiet reflection and journaling, without getting too restless.
What kinds of activities can students do in their Sit Spots?
I provide each of my students with an Outdoor Learning Journal, which we use whenever we take our learning outside. Sit Spot reflection is a great time for students to be writing down the things they see, hear, smell, and feel in their journals. As their spots change over time, they can write down the things they notice and wonder about. Students may also choose to sketch some of the things they notice and wonder about. I provide my students with laminated Sit Spot cards to use during their experience, with writing prompts to help them get started with their journals. At the end of the session, we gather and share our observations and learning.
For more engaging outdoor activities, check out our Symmetrical Snowflakes lesson, which combines nature observation with creative art and geometry!
In addition to Sit Spots, consider incorporating activities like Exploring the Mud Kitchen to further enrich your outdoor learning curriculum.
Looking for more lessons to inspire Outdoor Learning?
Click on the image below to go directly to the Outdoor Learning section of my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I have a wide variety of different outdoor lessons available!
Looking for my previous Outdoor Learning posts?
Click on the link below to go directly to my previous outdoor learning posts.
To maximize the benefits of Sit Spots in your teaching, don’t miss our additional insights on Sit Spots: Tips and Tricks for Success. For more thematic outdoor learning ideas, especially for events like Earth Day, take a look at our Earth Day Math activities, which blend environmental education with mathematics.
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