Aquebogue Hosts Second Annual Outdoor Learning Day
Unique Approach Enhances Students’ Learning and Inspires Their Creativity
RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (NOVEMBER 2022) — For the second consecutive year, Aquebogue Elementary School held its impactful Outdoor Learning Day. Staff created outdoor opportunities for students to engage their curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. These lessons included studying shadows, making Aboriginal journey sticks and studying the properties of various objects.
“What an incredible day for our school,” said Aquebogue Elementary School Principal Bryan Miltenberg. “The outdoors can be used as a tool to enhance our students’ learning and inspire them, which was certainly seen at this year’s Outdoor Learning Day.”
Fun was felt by all as students participated in a scavenger hunt and played classic games, such as duck-duck-goose. They also furthered their inquiries into nature as well, gathering inspiration to create artwork and write poems and stories.
“A memorable moment of the day was when a fourth grader approached other staff and me and asked if we would like to hear the poem he wrote about the trees around us,” said Aquebogue Elementary School Assistant Principal Gary Karlson. “After his oration, he shared that it was the first poem he had ever written, but today encouraged him to continue writing more.”
Additional photos are on the Riverhead CSD Facebook here.
Two students read together on Outdoor Learning Day
Students excitedly participate in an outdoor lesson
Students analyze the properties of the leaves they find
Students and staff work together on a scavenger hunt
Students show off the project they worked on during Outdoor Learning Day
Students look for items in a scavenger hunt