Outdoor Learning Scheme of Work Ages 10 to 11 Overview

Ages 10–11 Outdoor Curriculum Overview

🌳 Term 1 — Weeks 1–10

Week	Lesson	Theme	Curriculum Links	Summary
1	ANDY GOLDSWORTHY ART	Creativity	Art: artist study	This activity encourages creativity, collaboration, and an appreciation for nature, blending artistic expression with environmental connection.
2	SPECTACULAR SCULPTURES	Creativity	Art & Design	In this lesson, students will work in pairs to design and build a self-standing sculpture using only natural materials they find outdoors, along with string.
3	NATURE POETRY	Creativity	English:	In this outdoor lesson, students will explore their natural surroundings and write a poem about the wildlife they observe.
4	NATURE PERFUME	Creativity	Science: senses, living things English: descriptive language	In this outdoor lesson, students will make their own nature perfume by collecting and crushing natural materials like flowers and leaves to extract their scents. Using stones and bowls (or a pestle and mortar) to crush, students will store their final perfume in jars, if…
5	FREE SESSION	Creativity	Misc Ages IO —	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.
6	MINEFIELD 11	Communication	English: instruction writing Ages IO	This lesson encourages teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
7	RUBBER BAND CUP CHALLENGE	Communication	Science: forces and motion Ages IO	In this hands-on outdoor activity, students will work together to transport a cup from one point to another using four pieces of string tied to a rubber band. Variations, such as using only the left hand or blindfolding team members, add complexity and excitement, encouraging…
8	TREE HEIGHT	Communication	Math: Geometry, measurement Ages IO	In this outdoor lesson, students will learn how to estimate the height of a tree using a simple pencil and with the help of their partner. By applying basic measurement techniques, they will improve their understanding of proportional reasoning, geometry, and teamwork.
9	BLINDFOLDED SHAPES	Communication	Math: shape Ages IO English: instructional language	In this week’s outdoor lesson, students will work in teams to form various shapes using a rope while blindfolded. The teacher will call out a shape, and each group must use only verbal communication to position themselves and the rope accordingly.
10	FREE SESSION	Communication	Misc Ages IO	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.

🍃 Term 2 — Weeks 1–10

Week	Lesson	Theme	Curriculum Links	Summary
1	NATURE JOURNALS PART I	Reflection	English: creative writing	In this lesson, students will create or continue their nature journals, offering them the opportunity to explore the natural world and reflect creatively. They will have the freedom to draw, write, and include found items, developing communication and self-expression.
2	NATURE JOURNALS PART 11	Reflection	English: creative writing	This session continues from last week, where students will work on their nature journals, reflecting on their previous entries and expanding upon their observations. They will have the freedom to further develop their descriptive writing, drawing, and collection of natural…
3	STICK PHOTO FRAMES	Reflection	Misc 50 minutes NUMBERS: Ages IO — Individual	In this lesson, students will create a stick photo hanger by tying four sticks into a square frame and attaching two strings diagonally across it. This will be used to display a favorite photo from home or a nature photo they’ve taken.
4	COAT OF ARMS	Reflection	Art PSHE: personal identity Ages IO — Individual	In this outdoor lesson, students will create their own personal coat of arms using natural materials such as leaves, sticks, and stones.
5	FREE SESSION	Reflection	Misc Ages IO —	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.
6	KNOT RELAY	Independence	Misc	In this lesson, students will work in teams to learn and practice tying three different knots. Using written instructions and iPads with instructional videos, they will collaborate to master each knot.
7	MAP DRAWING	Independence	Geography: map skills	In this outdoor lesson, students aged 10 to 11 will work together to draw a detailed and accurate map of the outdoor area using tools such as measuring wheels, tape measures, and compasses.
8	HIDDEN MESSAGES	Independence	Geography: map skills	In this outdoor activity, students will write secret messages on three lollipop sticks or cards, hide them around the area, and mark the hiding spots on the map from the previous lesson. They will then swap maps with a peer and search for the hidden messages using the clues…
9	BIO-BLITZ	Independence	Science: identification Ages IO —	In this outdoor Bio Blitz activity, students will explore their outdoor area to find and identify as many different species of plants and animals as possible. Working in small groups, they will observe, record, and use identification guides to classify the species they…
10	FREE SESSION	Independence	Misc Ages IO —	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.

🍂 Term 3 — Weeks 1–10

Week	Lesson	Theme	Curriculum Links	Summary
1	SOUND RECORDING GUESSING GAME	Creativity	Science:	In this creative outdoor lesson, students will explore sound by using natural materials to create unique noises—such as tapping rocks or rustling leaves—and record them on an iPad with the camera covered. Afterward, they will swap devices and try to guess the source of each…
2	LEAF CLAY BOWLS	Creativity	Art: texture and patterns Ages IO — D&T: materials	In this hands-on outdoor art lesson, students will connect with nature by collecting leaves and using them to create textured impressions in clay, forming decorative bowls.
3	GOD’S EYE WEAVING	Creativity	Art & Design: pattern and form Ages IO	In this outdoor art lesson, students will create traditional ‘God’s Eye’ crafts by weaving colorful wool around two sticks.
4	TREE MONSTERS	Creativity	Art & Design: drawing & design Ages IO —	In this week’s outdoor lesson, students will design and draw chalk monsters directly onto tree trunks, using the bark’s natural texture to inspire features. Before drawing, they will sketch a design on a planning sheet.
5	FREE SESSION	Creativity	Misc Ages IO —	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.
6	COMPASS TREASURE HUNT	Communication	Math: direction and bearings	In this engaging outdoor lesson, students will work in small groups to create a compass-based treasure hunt. Each team will hide eight numbered shapes of the same kind (e.g., triangles) around the outdoor space.
7	SIGNAL CHALLENGE	Communication	English: non-verbal communication	In this outdoor lesson, students will work in pairs to create their own hand signals for common outdoor activity words. They will then take turns receiving silent instructions from the teacher and relaying them to their partner using only hand signals.
8	KNOT MASTER	Communication	English: instructions NUMBERS:	In this outdoor challenge, students work in teams of four. Each team member receives a different knot instruction sheet and is given time to learn their knot independently.
9	CARTOGRAPHERS	Communication	Math: measurement, geometry	Explain that today students will become outdoor cartographers. Their challenge is to create a scaled map of the outdoor area using real measurements.
10	FREE SESSION	Communication	Misc Ages IO —	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.

⭐ Bonus Lessons

#	Lesson	Theme	Curriculum Links	Summary
1	QUIET SPOT	General	PSHE: emotional-literacy	In this calm, mindfulness-based outdoor lesson, students will take part in a series of short solo observation sessions using prompt cards.
2	HAPA ART EMOTIONS	General	Art: cultural art forms	In this calm, mindfulness-based outdoor lesson, students will use focus prompt cards for short observation sessions.
3	OUTDOOR READING PARTNERS	General	English: reading	Each student will read to a partner for 10 minutes and then listen for 10 minutes, before switching to a new partner and repeating the process.
4	OUTDOOR YOGA	General	PE: flexibility & strength	In this outdoor yoga session, students will revisit familiar poses by selecting yoga cards and practicing each for two minutes before choosing a new card.
5	BIO-BLITZ	General	Science: classification, observation	In this outdoor science lesson, students will work in small groups to explore the natural environment and identify as many different plants and trees as possible. Using ID guides or apps, they will learn to observe carefully, compare features, and record their findings while…
6	NATURE DOCUMENTARY	General	Science:	In this outdoor science lesson, students will work in small groups to explore the natural environment and identify as many different plants and trees as they can. Using ID guides or apps, they will learn to observe carefully, make comparisons, and record their findings,…
7	MAGIC POTIONS	General	English: instructions, persuasive language	In this imaginative outdoor lesson, students will gather natural ingredients to create their own ‘magic potions’. After mixing their concoctions, they will design creative labels and prepare a short sales pitch to convince others to buy their potion.
8	GET CREATIVE!	General	Art & Design Ages IO	In this outdoor lesson, children are given the freedom to create a nature-inspired piece of work of their choice, such as a collage, model village, sculpture, painting, or installation. The session focuses on creativity, independence, and decision-making, encouraging students to …