Take Me Outside Day: Movement, Creativity, and “I Love a Challenge!”
This year’s Take Me Outside Day was such a fun reminder of why learning beyond the classroom matters so much. I had the opportunity to join a local elementary school for the afternoon, and our theme was “I Love a Challenge!” — a perfect fit for a day centered on curiosity, movement, and growth.
We brought that idea to life through a creative and active activity that used something simple: a volleyball. The goal was to show how one object can connect learning across grade levels, while encouraging students to challenge themselves at every stage.
For Kindergarten, we kept it playful and exploratory. The challenge was simply learning to throw and catch the volleyball safely. We turned it into a little poem together using short lines that celebrated trying new things and cheering each other on. Their excitement was contagious; every catch felt like a victory!
With Grades 1–3, we leveled it up. This time, students added movement patterns by passing in pairs, bouncing, or creating little games to test coordination. Their poem grew too, reflecting teamwork and effort. It was amazing to see how they encouraged one another, even when it got tricky.
By the time we reached Grades 4–6, the volleyball became a symbol of persistence. Students experimented with volleys, bumps, and serves, but they also focused on the language of challenge. Their poem lines became more about being precise, not giving up, and celebrating progress over perfection.
At the end of the day, we gathered the poems together like verses of one big story, a story about growth, movement, and confidence. Watching the students connect physical activity with creativity was inspiring. It showed that learning doesn’t always come from a desk; sometimes it happens with dirt under your shoes, a ball in your hands, and laughter in the air.
Take Me Outside Day, Part Two: Leaf Man Comes to Life
The next day, I had the chance to join another local elementary school for their Take Me Outside Day, and this time our adventure took us down to Elizabeth Lake. The air was crisp, the trees were bursting with color, and you could practically smell fall in every step we took.
Before heading outside, the students had already read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert — a beautiful picture book that celebrates imagination and the natural world. The story invites readers to see faces, animals, and stories hidden within the leaves that blow across the land. With that in mind, we set out to make our very own Leaf Men using what we could find around the lake.
The kids dove right into the task, searching for just the right leaves, pine needles, and bits of nature to bring their creations to life. Some Leaf Men had bodies made from nature bouquets, and some were simple, containing just a single leaf. The creativity was endless.
Once their Leaf Men were built, we used the ChatterPix app to make them talk. Each student recorded a little voice for their Leaf Man, giving their creations personalities, stories, and even jokes. Hearing their laughter as their digital Leaf Men “spoke” was pure joy. It was learning, storytelling, and technology all wrapped in one playful moment.
As we walked back from Elizabeth Lake, the kids were buzzing with ideas, holding their iPads like little storytellers who had just discovered something magical. It was the perfect reminder that learning outside doesn’t just change scenery — it changes perspective.
Both Take Me Outside Days showcased the power of outdoor learning, but in very different ways. The first emphasized challenge, movement, and teamwork, while the second nurtured creativity, storytelling, and connection to place.
The Venn Diagram I created helped me see that, although the activities looked different, both experiences shared a commitment to engagement, collaboration, and meaningful learning beyond the classroom walls.
In future teaching, I see opportunities to extend both experiences. For example, building on the “I Love a Challenge” theme through reflection journals about perseverance, or continuing the “Leaf Man” activity with written stories or art inspired by local ecosystems.
Ultimately, both days reminded me that outdoor learning is not a break from the curriculum, but rather an extension of it. Whether students are moving their bodies or moving their imaginations, the outdoors invites them to learn deeply, joyfully, and authentically.