A Week-by-Week Guide to Planning Nature-Connected Lessons for the First Half of the Autumn Term

Planning autumn term lesson planning can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to bring nature into your classroom in a way that includes every child. You’re juggling curriculum demands, accessibility needs, and the desire for outdoor learning ideas that truly connect. This week-by-week guide breaks down nature connected learning for the first six weeks, offering a clear, ready-to-use framework rooted in the five pathways to nature connection. Let’s make your autumn term planning both manageable and inspiring. For more resources, visit The Nature Connected Curriculum.

Week 1: Setting the Scene

Your first week sets the foundation for nature-connected learning, introducing key concepts and practical activities.

Introducing the Five Pathways

Start by explaining the five pathways to nature connection: senses, beauty, compassion, emotion, and meaning. Each pathway offers a unique way for children to connect with nature. Senses encourage observation, while beauty focuses on appreciating natural aesthetics. Compassion teaches respect for living things, emotion validates feelings from nature experiences, and meaning connects nature observations to values. This framework will guide your lessons and help students form a deeper bond with nature.

Simple Outdoor Learning Ideas

Ease into outdoor learning with simple activities. Start by taking a sensory walk where students use their five senses to observe their surroundings. Ask them to note the colours of leaves, the sound of birds, or the texture of bark. This exercise not only aligns with science and literacy goals but also fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity. Encourage students to share their findings through drawings or short writings, creating a bridge to art and literacy.

Risk Assessment for Outdoor Learning

Safety is crucial when planning outdoor activities. Begin by identifying potential hazards, such as uneven ground or water bodies, and assess the risks. Involve the students by discussing safety rules and ensuring they understand the importance of staying together and respecting nature. This proactive approach not only keeps everyone safe but also teaches responsibility and care for the environment.

Weeks 2-3: Sensory and Emotional Exploration

After setting the scene, dive deeper into sensory and emotional exploration, engaging different key stages with tailored activities.

EYFS Nature Activities

Young learners thrive on sensory experiences. Plan activities that let them explore textures and sounds in the natural world. Collect leaves, rocks, and twigs for a tactile exploration session. Encourage them to sort these items by size or texture, promoting both sensory engagement and early maths skills. To harness emotions, use storytelling to connect feelings with nature, helping children express their experiences in words or drawings.

KS1 Outdoor Lessons

For KS1, structure lessons that combine sensory learning with emotional reflection. Organize a nature hunt with specific items to find, such as feathers or acorns. This activity sharpens observation skills and introduces basic scientific concepts. Follow up with a circle time where students share how these discoveries made them feel, tying in emotional awareness and literacy.

KS2 Cross-curricular Planning

KS2 students can handle more complex concepts. Plan a mini-project that combines science and art. Task them with researching a local plant or animal, documenting their findings in a creative format like a poster or presentation. This project not only enhances research skills and creativity but also deepens their understanding of local ecosystems and the importance of biodiversity.

Weeks 4-6: Meaning and Beauty in Nature

As the term progresses, focus shifts to finding meaning and beauty in nature, alongside fostering inclusivity and inspiration.

Inclusive Education Resources

Ensure your resources cater to all learners. Use inclusive education resources that provide various entry points for understanding nature. Differentiated tasks allow students with varying abilities to engage meaningfully, promoting an inclusive classroom environment.

SEND-friendly Activities

Create activities that are SEND-friendly. Use visual aids and sensory materials to help students with special educational needs connect with nature. Activities like creating a sensory garden or using nature-themed storyboards can help all students participate and learn together, fostering empathy and inclusivity.

Forest School Inspiration

End your six-week plan with some forest school inspiration. Plan a day where students spend time in a wooded area, engaging in free exploration, building dens, or crafting with natural materials. This hands-on approach not only enhances their connection to nature but also builds teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five pathways to nature connection?

The five pathways are senses, beauty, compassion, emotion, and meaning. They guide how students interact with and learn from nature, promoting observation, appreciation, empathy, emotional understanding, and value connection.

How can I make outdoor learning safe?

Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and discuss safety rules with students. Encourage them to stay together and respect nature, teaching them responsibility and environmental care.

How do I incorporate nature into different subjects?

Use nature as a context for cross-curricular learning. For example, nature hunts can teach science and maths, while art projects can focus on local biodiversity, enhancing creativity and research skills.