Need a change of scenery…get your students some fresh aire with these 5 ways to use the outdoors to teach middle school ELA!
Who says reading and writing have to stay indoors? 🌳
Being outdoors can be so refreshing for students and teachers alike! Getting some fresh air, spending some time in the sun, and just getting out of the typical grind of middle school, can be exactly what everyone needs to relax.
But that relaxation doesn’t need to be wasted. We can use that outdoor time to work on some skills as well.
Below are a few fun ways to bring your English Language Arts standards to life, both with and without technology!
Give students clipboards (or tablets) and send them on a hunt to find examples of figurative language around campus.
Here are some examples of things they might spot:
To make it more structured, you can turn it into a Figurative Language Sort when students return indoors.
Bring a class novel, short story, or paired passage outside and create reading circles in the grass or on picnic benches. Have students read aloud or silently, then discuss using a few questions.
Since you have more space, you could also have students act out the book while you read it aloud or add in some sound effects… anything that might bring the story to life. Don’t be afraid to try something different!
If you need support guiding group discussion, our post Socratic Seminars in Middle School ELA: Step-by-Step Guide offers ready-to-try tips for creating structured dialogue, even outside!
This is a fun outdoor spin on our Evidence Race activity!
The Activity:
Divide students into small teams and give each group a short text (a printed article or passage works perfectly). Post “claim cards” around your outdoor area.
When you announce a claim, each group must:
Points are awarded for correct, well-supported evidence. Bonus points for strong explanations!
All you need is a soft ball or beanbag! Have students form a circle. The teacher calls out a grammar topic (“prepositions,” “compound sentences,” “subject-verb agreement”) and tosses the ball. Whoever catches it must:
For an extra challenge, integrate examples from a recent text.
This activity is best when done right after finishing a class text or a short story unit.
Students work in pairs. One takes on the role of a character from a story, and the other becomes the interviewer. They find a quiet spot outside to “film” or write their mock interview.
Encourage creativity:
If you’re doing this digitally, students can record short video interviews or audio podcasts using classroom Chromebooks.
Middle school students thrive on variety, and sometimes, a little fresh air is exactly what your ELA class needs.
Whether it’s citing evidence under the sun, tossing a ball around and giving examples, these outdoor lessons help students connect with language in a new way.
