Making outdoor classrooms in the Mojave

Morongo USD project proves beneficial for student attendance, success

Launched in 2020 as part of a comprehensive plan to increase student engagement and achievement, the Outdoor Classroom Project at Yucca Valley Elementary School (YVES) has led to the development of three garden areas, outdoor seating for various classrooms, a designated reading spot and the installation of high-quality equipment that transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students use for “creative play.”

The project was intended to provide space for outdoor learning opportunities, authentic, project-based instruction and environmental education — and it has done just that, as teachers have adapted their lessons to utilize the resources, said the district’s Public Information Officer Jené Estrada.

“A sixth-grade class used one of the garden areas to learn about winter tolerant crops. Another class used the outdoor area to study the life cycle of a butterfly,” Estrada explained. “Another garden area is specifically designated as the first- and fifth-grade buddy garden encouraging collaborations amongst students. These activities are incorporated into regular classroom instruction, Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P) instruction, the Summer Enrichment Program and more.”

Students take the information they gain regarding the thousands of native species in the desert and the importance of preserving natural resources and apply it to their home lives.

“Through all gardening projects, teachers discuss water-wise gardening and many of the students involved have brought that knowledge back to their families to be utilized in their home gardens, furthering the preservation of our natural resources in our community,” Estrada said.

Additionally, the 2023 Golden Bell Award-winning program helps cultivate community partnerships during and beyond typical school hours.

“The outdoor classroom spaces are utilized as part of campus beautification events and during Saturday school. During Saturday school the site’s schedule is fluid and this has allowed YVES to bring in community partners for projects and presentations utilizing the outdoor classroom spaces,” Estrada noted. “The school partnered with community educators from Mojave Desert Land Trust for a fifth-grade in-depth environmental studies program and Joshua Tree National Park for a fourth-grade outdoor education program.”

“The Morongo USD board’s vision is that every student graduates prepared for college/career, empowered to become a productive citizen in society,” said Board President Robert Hamilton. “The Outdoor Classroom Project supports this vision by engaging students and families for increased student achievement, modeling how communities work together, providing students opportunities for practicing 21st-century skills, and exposing students to a variety of career options through community partnerships. The MUSD school board has been a champion of the Outdoor Classroom Project since approving the project, facilitating grant opportunities, making site visits, connecting YVES with community partners and sharing the vision of outdoor classrooms.”

Benefits

According to Green Schoolyards America, outdoor learning and more time in nature has long lasting health and educational benefits for children and has been linked to decreased stress and increased focus, motivation and engagement among other social-emotional, mental health, cognitive and physiological benefits.

For the 2024–25 academic year, plans are underway to introduce outdoor learning opportunities at other sites via after-school programming, Estrada said, adding that many staff involved in ELO-P offerings are interested in incorporating outdoor learning at their campuses.

The district’s project can be an example for other local educational agencies that may not feel they have the right regional weather conditions to facilitate robust outdoor learning opportunities.

“In every community there are different considerations when considering outdoor learning: temperatures, rain, snow and more,” Hamilton said. “Outdoor learning might be a challenge in these cases, but it also provides an opportunity for students to learn about their environment, making them better stewards for environmental conservation.”