They put their math into action by heading outside with meter sticks in their hands to measure the playground! According to the map, working as a team, the students were challenged to find the perimeter and area of real-life objects on the playground. Some objects were relatively small, like the picnic table, but some were very large, like the black tube edge of the big toy. Stick over stick working together, they crawled along the basketball court, passed the meter stick around the outdoor learning tent, and worked the numbers as they sat on the 4-square court until they had deciphered all the problems. The next day they recorded the results from each group. They discussed why each group might have slightly different answers. Finally, they averaged the results for each station.

"The students loved working in teams. Measuring the large items was challenging for some students, but they enjoyed being outside and working together," Ms. Goulart share with the committee. Ms. Goulart is willing to share the lesson with other teachers.
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Congratulations Ms. Goulart!​​

The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson.
Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/

Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8
 
If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund,  please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization.  Select Youth on the Paypal link and  outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541

The ​Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes Morse Pond School teacher Lisa Langan's Outdoor Lesson for September. Ms. Langan is a sixth grade teacher with the Falmouth Public Schools.
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Ms. Langan reflected upon this exciting math technology lesson called "Math Scavenger Hunt" sharing, "Seeing the creative ideas students came up with to represent the math topics was so exciting. I also loved to hear their "math talk" as they discussed with each other what to take pictures of and what it could represent."

​This multidisciplinary lesson included covering standards in Math, Science and Digital Literacy.  "They were very excited to 1) be outside, 2) use technology to take pictures 3) make the Google Slide presentations and 4) they were eager to share with me the items in nature that they found and were surprised that they had to noticed these before!" This lesson gave students a chance to put theory into practice to see how things they are currently learning inside the classroom apply into everyday life outside of the classroom.

Ms. Langan has shared this lesson and there are additional PDF's including the slideshow for the lesson included below. 
 
Congratulations to Ms. Langan!

The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson.
Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/

Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8
 
If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund,  please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization.  Select Youth on the Paypal link and  outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541

​Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes East Falmouth Elementary School teacher Nicole Mele Outdoor Lesson for June. Ms. Mele is a fourth grade teacher with the Falmouth Public Schools.
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Ms. Mele reflected upon this engaging and fun lesson called "Math Review Scavenger Hunt" and is willing to share the lesson with any other teachers who are interested!

The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson.
Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/

Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8
 
If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund,  please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization.  Select Youth on the Paypal link and  outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541
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​Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes Morse Pond School teacher,  Rachel Zaino’s Outdoor Lesson for February. Ms. Zaino is a sixth grade teacher at Morse Pond School.
 
 “STEM: Trash Fisher” was science lesson that asked students to design and build an an original Trash Fisher tool that will allow people to fish trash out of local waterways from the shoreline. The students absolutely loved this project and the fact that they got to do something hands on to make a difference in the community.  “I enjoyed seeing the students testing their prototype in the pond to see if they were successful!”
 
Congratulations to Ms. Zaino!

The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson.
Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/

Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8
 
If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund,  please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization.  Select Youth on the Paypal link and  outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541

When asked what Mr. Porto, enjoyed most about this outdoor lesson, he told us that, “I enjoyed troubleshooting whether the project could be done, and then walking through it with the students. It's always great to get them outside, where they can be seen by a larger audience. Plus, the cold air is a great motivator to move faster! I think kids need a place to showcase their work and see the purpose behind a project. In this case, the purpose was to build the most efficient cart possible to win the fastest time.” The day of the race, teams planned and paired off to complete 4 laps of the bus runway in front of the school. Mr. Porto had to shorten the length due to the winds that day, but overall students worked in pairs to race to the end and back, before trading out with their next teammates, relay style. In the end, the team with the fastest time has their name engraved on a trophy made by one of our students. “I think students appreciated the attention of being in front of the school, recognizing that the project was valued by all their team teachers who supported and participated in the event. It showed that we all recognize that valuable learning occurs outside the confines of our individual classrooms and disciplines. Watching me go through the steps of the engineering process to learn along with them was also of value to them because it made them feel like we were all on a team together. We all troubleshot together as we figured out better ways to improve the carts every day. I was very upfront about the fact that I was learning right along with them. I think that holds a lot of value for the kids to see that we're still learning as well. They still have room to improve in future years, but I was satisfied with the way they worked.” This lesson is available to be shared with interested staff.  “I hope to make this an annual project- one of many I do as a culmination of the Engineering trimester. Competition is a great motivator!”
 
Congratulations to Mr. Porto!
 
The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson.
Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/

Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8
 
If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund,  please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization.  Select Youth on the Paypal link and  outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541
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Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes North Falmouth Elementary Teacher, Samantha Emerson’s Outdoor Lesson for November. Ms. Emerson is a second grade teacher with over five years of experience
 
 “Modeling the Impacts of Weathering and Erosion” was an interdisciplinary lesson which covered standards in science and writing taking place outside her classroom on the picnic tables in September.  Ms. Emerson created the lesson plan utilizing resources such as Mystery Science and Generation Genius. “My students loved this lesson because they were able to personally "cause" and observe weathering and erosion, while in an outdoor learning space where they know real weathering and erosion take place.”
 
When asked what Ms. Emerson enjoyed most about this outdoor lesson, she told us that, “This outdoor lesson was enjoyable because it allowed for a more hands-on experiment to take place! Utilizing the outdoor learning space encouraged (reasonable) mess making and appropriate application of our concept of study. Being able to truly model and observe the impacts that weathering and erosion have on Earth's materials, while outside with real life evidence around us, was extremely beneficial for student learning. The change in scenery certainly helped overall engagement too!”
 
Congratulations to Ms. Emerson!
 
The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson.
Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/
​​Falmouth Public Schools - Massachusetts

​Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8
 
If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund,  please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization.  Select Youth on the Paypal link and  outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541

Morse Pond School now has the first 4 picnic tables for under one of their tents thanks to donations to our committee! Special thanks to Bob Oliveira for going out in the pouring rain to pick them up and deliver to the school for us!!! Morse Pond School still has an immediate need for funding at least 8 additional picnic tables for their other tent and the school grounds. Picnic tables cost approx between $110 to $160 (depending on the current market and availability) but prices just dropped to the lower end. If you would like to make a donation please make one via check, venmo or PayPal to Falmouth Rotary Club memo "outdoor learning picnic Morse Pond". You can also opt to purchase it yourself and drop at the school or have the committee arrange the delivery or assembly. Just be sure to contact us.
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As we move on from stumps and begin to provide longer term infrastructure for outdoor learning we are so grateful for the continued support from our community and schools! Our committee is still taking donations for picnic tables and other needs across all the schools that have been requested by our staff. If you are interested in helping thru volunteer work or financial support please reach out!
Donate via Rotary Club Venmo: www.venmo.com/u/FALMOUTHROTARYCLUBCC