In 2017 & 2018 Paddington Station fully renovated both outdoor classrooms. The new spaces are a place to say "Yes" to children! Yes to running, yes to rolling down the hill, yes to water play, yes to playing in the mud, yes to building, yes to exploring gardens, yes to dances and plays, and yes to countless other discoveries and exploration.
Our endeavor was to create these beautiful outdoor classrooms as a place for children to explore, and interact with each other and nature. At Paddington our learning isn't just taking place inside the classroom but outside in our new spaces. There are planters to grow our gardens, and rumble bars to ride our bikes over, there is an outdoor kitchen to splash, build and imagine, and plenty of open space to run!
In August 2018 teachers kicked off work week, before school started, at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Our faculty learned how to embrace nature and bring its wonder to all Paddington students. After a wonderful day of exploration at the gardens, teachers met on the outdoor classrooms to bring their new ideas into their teaching at Paddington. For the 2019-2020 Paddington has added two Outdoor Classroom Ambassadors who will help our whole team utilize the space in fun and exciting ways. We hope you'll embrace this special learning landscape as a magical place to say yes!
Our endeavor was to create these beautiful outdoor classrooms as a place for children to explore, and interact with each other and nature. At Paddington our learning isn't just taking place inside the classroom but outside in our new spaces. There are planters to grow our gardens, and rumble bars to ride our bikes over, there is an outdoor kitchen to splash, build and imagine, and plenty of open space to run!
In August 2018 teachers kicked off work week, before school started, at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Our faculty learned how to embrace nature and bring its wonder to all Paddington students. After a wonderful day of exploration at the gardens, teachers met on the outdoor classrooms to bring their new ideas into their teaching at Paddington. For the 2019-2020 Paddington has added two Outdoor Classroom Ambassadors who will help our whole team utilize the space in fun and exciting ways. We hope you'll embrace this special learning landscape as a magical place to say yes!
We all learn through our senses, but perhaps especially in the early years when every color, scent and texture is new. The garden abounds with things to look at, touch, and smell. -The Garden Classroom, Cathy James
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Resources We Love on Outdoor Learning
Balanced and Barefoot, Angela J. Hanscom
The Garden Classroom, Cathy James
Heart-Centered Teaching Inspired by Nature, Nancy Rosenow
Nature Play at Home, Nancy Striniste