Menu
Welcome! I’m Calum, and this is my blog, Fresh Air Teacher.
I have had the privilege of working as a primary education teacher for a number of years in different countries and contexts. After completing an MSc in Outdoor Education in 2021, I was given the fantastic opportunity to work as an Outdoor Learning Specialist within an urban international school organisation in the Netherlands.
Fresh Air Teacher documents my journey of discovery with outdoor learning in primary education. I want to help primary educators to develop their own outdoor learning practices by sharing my reflections and experiences and offering different tried and tested ideas linked with curriculum, sustainability education, life skills and classroom learning.
I think it’s important to create greater opportunities for primary school children to learn and discover in outdoor environments, be creative, and develop their love for the natural world, and I hope I can help do that here.
Get Ready for the start of the new school year! 30-Minute Online Outdoor Learning Consultation
Is your school looking for engaging and effective ways to incorporate outdoor learning into the new school year?
I’m offering a limited number of 30-minute online consultations in August and September to brainstorm creative outdoor learning ideas with you.
Together, we can discuss:
Click here to schedule your consultation today!
Buy me a coffee.
Feel free to donate before or after our chat. Any donations will go towards maintaining this website and helping me continue to offer valuable ideas to educators. Please click on link below.
Let`s Protect Our Prickly Pals! 🦔
Hedgehogs in the UK are facing significant threats, with populations declining rapidly. It`s crucial to educate our young generation about the importance of conservation and empower them to make a difference.
Through outdoor learning activities, we can inspire children to become advocates for hedgehog conservation.
Here`s are some ideas for your school.
• Habitat Creation: Our KS1 and KS2 learners built waterproof hedgehog houses using natural materials, providing safe shelters for these adorable creatures.
• Community Engagement: Our students encouraged students to take action in their local communities by creating leaf piles and adding barriers to garden ponds to prevent accidental drowning.
• Creative Learning: Children designed posters, presentations, and even board games to raise awareness and share their knowledge about hedgehog conservation.
By engaging in these hands-on activities, our students are not only learning about the environment but also developing a sense of responsibility and empathy towards wildlife. Let`s continue to foster a love for nature and empower our children to be the guardians of our planet.
#hedgehogconservation #outdoorlearning #education #sustainability
Let`s Protect Our Prickly Pals! 🦔
Hedgehogs in the UK are facing significant threats, with populations declining rapidly. It`s crucial to educate our young generation about the importance of conservation and empower them to make a difference.
Through outdoor learning activities, we can inspire children to become advocates for hedgehog conservation.
Here`s are some ideas for your school.
• Habitat Creation: Our KS1 and KS2 learners built waterproof hedgehog houses using natural materials, providing safe shelters for these adorable creatures.
• Community Engagement: Our students encouraged students to take action in their local communities by creating leaf piles and adding barriers to garden ponds to prevent accidental drowning.
• Creative Learning: Children designed posters, presentations, and even board games to raise awareness and share their knowledge about hedgehog conservation.
By engaging in these hands-on activities, our students are not only learning about the environment but also developing a sense of responsibility and empathy towards wildlife. Let`s continue to foster a love for nature and empower our children to be the guardians of our planet.
#hedgehogconservation #outdoorlearning #education #sustainability
Exciting news! I`m thrilled to announce that my article on EYFS Outdoor Learning has been featured in Horizons magazine, published by the Institite of Outdoor Learning. This is a significant milestone for me, especially considering the challenges I`ve faced with writing due to neurodiversity.
As someone who blogs in my free time, this achievement feels extra rewarding. It`s a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of recognising victories.
#adhd #eyfs #outdoorlearningkids #outdoorlearningforkids #outdoorlearning
Exciting news! I`m thrilled to announce that my article on EYFS Outdoor Learning has been featured in Horizons magazine, published by the Institite of Outdoor Learning. This is a significant milestone for me, especially considering the challenges I`ve faced with writing due to neurodiversity.
As someone who blogs in my free time, this achievement feels extra rewarding. It`s a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of recognising victories.
#adhd #eyfs #outdoorlearningkids #outdoorlearningforkids #outdoorlearning
Attached to the blog link in my Bio is a free wildlife themed outdoor stem challenge. A perfect GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW CLASS ICE BREAKER CHALLENGE, for the start of the new term.
#outdoorlearningkids #icebreakerforteacher #icebreakers #startofterm #newclass #teachertips #teachersofinstagram
Attached to the blog link in my Bio is a free wildlife themed outdoor stem challenge. A perfect GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW CLASS ICE BREAKER CHALLENGE, for the start of the new term.
#outdoorlearningkids #icebreakerforteacher #icebreakers #startofterm #newclass #teachertips #teachersofinstagram
For examples of fun wildlife themed, outdoor STEM projects….DM me!! or comment with the word wildlife!
When I first started teaching outdoor learning 🍃, I decided to take a tiny hedgehog along to my early years class as a kind of mascot. Within a few minutes, the hedgehog was given a name. Hamish the hedgehog was so popular with the class that he’s remained in my bag for the last two years.
To my surprise, Hamish the Hedgehog 🦔 was equally popular with my KS2 classes. It then dawned on me that using local woodland creatures such as hedgehogs and squirrels 🐿 could act as tools to build the children’s enthusiasm for the lessons. I now have a different woodland creature with each clasWhen I first started teaching outdoor learning 🍃, I decided to take a tiny hedgehog along to my early years class as a kind of mascot. Within a few minutes, the hedgehog was given a name. Hamish the hedgehog was so popular with the class that he’s remained in my bag for the last two years.
To my surprise, Hamish the Hedgehog 🦔 was equally popular with my KS2 classes. It then dawned on me that using local woodland creatures such as hedgehogs and squirrels 🐿 could act as tools to build the children’s enthusiasm for the lessons. I now have a different woodland creature with each class and the children love it.
These creatures allow me to make more connections with learning experiences and also draw attention to the plight of some of these endangered woodland creatures. I have discovered that the characters work particularly well as a stimulus for outdoor STEM🔨 projects.
For examples of fun wildlife themed, outdoor STEM projects….DM me!! or comment with the word wildlife!
When I first started teaching outdoor learning 🍃, I decided to take a tiny hedgehog along to my early years class as a kind of mascot. Within a few minutes, the hedgehog was given a name. Hamish the hedgehog was so popular with the class that he’s remained in my bag for the last two years.
To my surprise, Hamish the Hedgehog 🦔 was equally popular with my KS2 classes. It then dawned on me that using local woodland creatures such as hedgehogs and squirrels 🐿 could act as tools to build the children’s enthusiasm for the lessons. I now have a different woodland creature with each clasWhen I first started teaching outdoor learning 🍃, I decided to take a tiny hedgehog along to my early years class as a kind of mascot. Within a few minutes, the hedgehog was given a name. Hamish the hedgehog was so popular with the class that he’s remained in my bag for the last two years.
To my surprise, Hamish the Hedgehog 🦔 was equally popular with my KS2 classes. It then dawned on me that using local woodland creatures such as hedgehogs and squirrels 🐿 could act as tools to build the children’s enthusiasm for the lessons. I now have a different woodland creature with each class and the children love it.
These creatures allow me to make more connections with learning experiences and also draw attention to the plight of some of these endangered woodland creatures. I have discovered that the characters work particularly well as a stimulus for outdoor STEM🔨 projects.
Get Ready for the start of the new school year! 30-Minute Online Outdoor Learning Consultation
👉Is your school looking for engaging and effective ways to incorporate outdoor learning into the new school year? or are you a parent looking for homeschooling ideas?
I’m offering a limited number of 30-minute online consultations in August to brainstorm creative outdoor learning ideas with you.
Together, we can discuss:
🌱Activities to suit different age groups and learning styles
🌱Strategies for overcoming logistical challenges
🌱Resources to make outdoor learning a success
🌱Using outdoor learning as a tool to enhance sustainable education
To read more and book your consultation..vist the lik in my bio ⬇️
www.freshairteacher.com
#outdoorlearning #outdooreducation
#teachertips #forestschool #outdoorlearningkids
#outdoorlearningforkids #homeschool
Get Ready for the start of the new school year! 30-Minute Online Outdoor Learning Consultation
👉Is your school looking for engaging and effective ways to incorporate outdoor learning into the new school year? or are you a parent looking for homeschooling ideas?
I’m offering a limited number of 30-minute online consultations in August to brainstorm creative outdoor learning ideas with you.
Together, we can discuss:
🌱Activities to suit different age groups and learning styles
🌱Strategies for overcoming logistical challenges
🌱Resources to make outdoor learning a success
🌱Using outdoor learning as a tool to enhance sustainable education
To read more and book your consultation..vist the lik in my bio ⬇️
www.freshairteacher.com
#outdoorlearning #outdooreducation
#teachertips #forestschool #outdoorlearningkids
#outdoorlearningforkids #homeschool
The Outdoors is a School and Nature is it`s Teacher: Forging Resilience, Developing Teamwork Skills and Discovering in the Himalayas ⛰️
Ever dreamt of pushing your limits and discovering a hidden strength within? In 2017, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery on the Three Peaks Challenge expedition in Nepal 🇳🇵.
Stepping into the heart of the Himalayas was a humbling experience. But the true growth came not just from the breathtaking scenery – it was the incredible teamwork that made all the difference.
Here, under the Himalayan sky, we bonded closer as friends, united by a common goal – to conquer the peaks. We faced challenges together, each obstacle strengthening our resolve and pushing us further. Witnessing the collective resilience of our team in the face of such a mighty landscape was truly inspiring.
🌱The mountains have a unique way of forging resilience. Removed from our comfort zones, we`re forced to adapt and discover a resourcefulness we never knew we possessed. Shared experiences and the thrill of overcoming physical and mental hurdles create an unparalleled sense of camaraderie.
🌱This journey wasn`t just about reaching the summit; it was about self-discovery. As someone who once grappled with self-doubt, this experience was transformative. I discovered a wellspring of resilience and a strength I never knew I had. It was a turning point, igniting a passion for fostering resilience and teamwork in my students.
While I can`t recreate the Himalayas in my school, I can offer my students the chance to learn and grow in new environments. This is especially valuable for those who might struggle with traditional learning methods. The outdoor classroom provides a powerful setting to develop teamwork, self-discovery, and a connection to the natural world – all essential ingredients for building lifelong resilience.
#outdoorlearning #experientiallearning #ThreePeaksChallenge #Nepal #education #resilience #teamwork #discovery
The Outdoors is a School and Nature is it`s Teacher: Forging Resilience, Developing Teamwork Skills and Discovering in the Himalayas ⛰️
Ever dreamt of pushing your limits and discovering a hidden strength within? In 2017, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery on the Three Peaks Challenge expedition in Nepal 🇳🇵.
Stepping into the heart of the Himalayas was a humbling experience. But the true growth came not just from the breathtaking scenery – it was the incredible teamwork that made all the difference.
Here, under the Himalayan sky, we bonded closer as friends, united by a common goal – to conquer the peaks. We faced challenges together, each obstacle strengthening our resolve and pushing us further. Witnessing the collective resilience of our team in the face of such a mighty landscape was truly inspiring.
🌱The mountains have a unique way of forging resilience. Removed from our comfort zones, we`re forced to adapt and discover a resourcefulness we never knew we possessed. Shared experiences and the thrill of overcoming physical and mental hurdles create an unparalleled sense of camaraderie.
🌱This journey wasn`t just about reaching the summit; it was about self-discovery. As someone who once grappled with self-doubt, this experience was transformative. I discovered a wellspring of resilience and a strength I never knew I had. It was a turning point, igniting a passion for fostering resilience and teamwork in my students.
While I can`t recreate the Himalayas in my school, I can offer my students the chance to learn and grow in new environments. This is especially valuable for those who might struggle with traditional learning methods. The outdoor classroom provides a powerful setting to develop teamwork, self-discovery, and a connection to the natural world – all essential ingredients for building lifelong resilience.
#outdoorlearning #experientiallearning #ThreePeaksChallenge #Nepal #education #resilience #teamwork #discovery
