** CLASS FULL** Overcoming Obstacles in Growing Outdoor Classrooms Deb Norris March 23, 2020

**THIS CLASS IS FULL** Growing Outdoor Classrooms is a journey and this training is meant as a way to take stock of what is working, what needs improving, and identifying where to go next. We will explore tips and tricks of the trade to help overcome obstacles in our outdoor spaces and help one another brainstorm solutions. We will explore perceived barriers that keep students stuck indoors including lack of confidence teaching outdoors, schedule confines, ticks, poison ivy, storage, weather, clothing, perception of administrators, and academic pressures. We will explore developmentally effective approaches to: staff/child interactions, circle time outdoors, seasonal considerations, open-ended inquiry, clean up procedures, and considerations for developmentally appropriate practice while teaching outdoors. Participants will help contribute to a list of curriculum resources to use to foster outdoor learning. Participants will create a “Sustainability Plan” that will provide a guide for the next steps on their Growing Outdoor Classroom journey.