Outdoor Learning Scheme of Work Ages 9 to 10 Overview

Ages 9–10 Outdoor Curriculum Overview

🌳 Term 1 — Weeks 1–10

Week	Lesson	Theme	Curriculum Links	Summary
1	UNIQUE LEAVES	Creativity	Art: observational drawing	This lesson promotes individuality, creativity, and careful observation.
2	STICK WHITTLING	Creativity	Art: textures and patterns	In this lesson, students will use potato peelers to carefully remove the bark from sticks before decorating them in their own unique style. They can choose to transform their stick into a wand, work with others to build a picture frame, or create an entirely original design.
3	NEGATIVE LEAF ART	Creativity	Art: color, pattern	In this creative outdoor lesson, students will use leaves and paint to create stunning negative leaf paintings. By sticking leaves onto paper and painting around them with gradients and patterns, students will explore the interplay of natural shapes and colors.
4	LEAF WREATH	Creativity	Art: color, shape	In this hands-on outdoor lesson, students will create an autumn wreath using natural leaves and a donut-shaped piece of card. They will explore the beauty of autumn foliage, practice cutting and gluing skills, and create a decorative wreath to celebrate the season.
5	FREE SESSION	Creativity	Misc	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.
6	RIVER CROSSING	Communication	Misc	In this week’s session, students will work in teams to navigate from one location to another without touching the ground, representing a river.
7	SENSORY TRAIL	Communication	Science: senses	In this sensory-based outdoor activity, students work in pairs to explore nature through touch and memory. One partner is blindfolded while the other leads them on a nature walk, stopping to let them feel different natural objects.
8	STICK BRIDGE	Communication	STEM	In this outdoor lesson, students will work in pairs to design and construct a bridge using only natural materials (sticks) and string. Their bridge must be able to hold a rock, and once successful, they’ll compete to see who can make the tallest bridge.
9	TEAM PHOTO CHALLENGE	Communication	Misc o 50 minutes	This week students will work in teams to complete a photo scavenger hunt. Each team will receive a list of challenges, such as forming a shape with their bodies or finding items of different colors.
10	FREE SESSION	Communication	Misc	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	GRATITUDE TREE	Reflection	English: writing sentences	In this session they will collect four large leaves and write one thing they are grateful for on each. Through a fun and active sharing activity, they will pair up multiple times to exchange their leaves and reflect on gratitude.
2	DETAILED SKETCHES	Reflection	Art: pencil drawings NUMBERS:	In this outdoor lesson, students will practice sketching a small section of an object, focusing on its fine details. Students will be encouraged to restart if they finish quickly, focusing on progress over perfection.
3	NATURE MAPPING	Reflection	Geography: map skills	In this lesson, students will create a detailed map of the outdoor area, marking all the different plants, animals, and natural features they observe. Using ID guides and measuring equipment such as trundle wheels, students will practice recording nature accurately and reflect…
4	STICK RAFFIA STARS	Reflection	Art: textures and patterns	This hands-on activity develops fine motor skills, creativity, and teamwork.
5	FREE SESSION	Reflection	Misc	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.
6	STICK TOWERS	Independence	STEM	In this outdoor lesson, students will work in small groups to build the tallest possible tower using only sticks and string.
7	STICK CATAPULT	Independence	STEM	This hands-on activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, while introducing students to basic physics concepts such as force, tension, and projectile motion.
8	THE PERFECT MUD BRICK LJ	Independence	STEM	This lesson is all about getting muddy as students will work in small teams to create the perfect mud brick using a variety of natural materials such as mud, water, straw, sticks, and sand. This activity will teach students about how people have used mud as a building material…
9	NEST BUILDER	Independence	STEM	In this outdoor lesson students will work in pairs to create bird nests using natural materials such as twigs, leaves, grass, and moss. The students will weave these materials together to replicate the nests birds make in the wild, while learning about structure, teamwork, and…
10	FREE SESSION	Independence	Misc	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	NATURE WEAVING	Creativity	Art: texture and patterns	This hands-on activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills while letting them enjoy the joys of spring.
2	NATURE MANDELA	Creativity	Art: patterns Math: repeating patterns	In this week’s session students will explore the concept of mandalas by using natural materials collected during a nature walk. After discussing the history and purpose of mandalas, students will work individually or in small groups to create their own mandalas using found items …
3	SUN CATCHER	Creativity	Art: natural patterns	In this outdoor lesson, students will make a square frame using sticks and string, then use Cellotape to create a sticky surface across the frame. They will collect natural materials such as leaves, petals, and small twigs to stick to the tape, creating a beautiful sun catcher.
4	STICK SHAKERS	Creativity	Science:	In this outdoor lesson, students will make a musical shaker by crafting it from a Y-shaped stick, string, and bottle caps. They will peel the stick using a potato peeler, attach the bottle caps, and decorate the shaker with paint or other materials.
5	FREE SESSION	Creativity	Misc	This session gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with the outdoors in any way they like.
6	STICK PATTERNS CHALLENGE	Communication	Math: shape	In this outdoor lesson, students will work in pairs to recreate patterns or pictures using sticks. One partner will see a card with a pattern and must give instructions to their partner to create it without showing the card.
7	SILENT SCAVENGER HUNT	Communication	Science: observation	The process repeats until all items are collected.
8	CLASSIFICATION	Communication	Science: classification	Students will work together to identify their animal group without speaking, then collect natural items and sort them by specific criteria.
9	RACE DAY	Communication	Misc	This outdoor lesson will see students working in teams to complete a series of nature-themed challenges that test their communication, collaboration, and physical skills.
10	FREE SESSION	Communication	Misc	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	NATURE MEDITATION	Reflection	PSHE: mindfulness	This is a calming outdoor session to start the new term. Students will practice nature meditation by selecting cards that guide their focus, such as breathing, listening, or observing nature.
2	PLANT SKETCHES	General	Art: detailed sketches	In this outdoor lesson, students will sketch a flower in three stages, reflecting on their progress between each attempt. By revisiting their drawings and focusing on improvements, they will develop observation skills and practice reflecting on their own work, leading to…
3	OUTDOOR CIRCLE TIME	Reflection	PSHE	In this outdoor lesson, students will gather in nature to reflect on their experiences, explore personal growth, and connect with the environment. Through guided prompts, they will discuss themes of nature, teamwork, and self- reflection.
4	NATURE PICNIC	Reflection	Science: food chains, plants	Students will organize and enjoy a picnic lunch, either bringing a dish to share or simply participating in discussions about food and nature. Before the picnic, students will engage in a discussion about the origins of their food, encouraging them to appreciate the natural…
5	BEST BUBBLE	General	Science: materials and their properties, friction	In this lesson, students will design and create their own bubble wands using simple materials using sticks, string, and a washer or key ring. They will experiment with different bubble solution mixtures to see who can make the largest bubble, developing problem-solving skills…
6	STICK MAZE	Independence	Math: geometry	In this lesson, students will work in groups to design and build their own mazes using sticks found in the outdoor space. After constructing their mazes, they will swap with other groups and attempt to solve each other’s creations.
7	INVENT A KNOT	Independence	Misc	In this lesson, students will work independently to invent their own unique knots using ropes or strings. They will then pair up and teach their newly invented knot to a few friends, developing creativity, communication, and independence.
8	NATURE’S RESTAURANT	Creativity	English: descriptive language	In this outdoor lesson, students will work in groups of 5 or 4 to create their own “nature restaurant,” designing a menu of 4 to 5 dishes using natural materials found in the outdoor environment. At the end of the lesson, each group will present their dishes, explaining their…