SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

When Learning Gets Itchy: Embracing the Lessons of Outdoor Teaching

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2025 Issue

By Ronak Shah

An outdoor lesson made my students sick. It changed the way I teach.

Here in Indiana, we only get a few weeks of nice weather between the spring showers and the swampy summer, so I try to squeeze in as many outdoor lessons with my middle school science class as I can. Unfortunately, the school I worked at a few years ago had little green space beyond playgrounds and a field. There was a treeline at the edge of the property that could pass for a forest, however, so I decided to take students there for a taxonomy lesson.

Rocks, flowers, and branches carry such variety that students can write essays, take measurements, and make inferences with just a single object. For this lesson, I asked students to find a leaf, make a rubbing, categorize its form, and identify the plant it came from. Simple tasks like these can generate surprising insights, and I was eager to see what they would come up with.

Before beginning the lesson, I showed students a map of the search area, gave a timeframe for each step, and identified a gathering point to meet once time was up. After checking for understanding, we marched outside and students fanned out to bushes and trees. It was incredible to watch them locate leaves and realize how diverse they were—the giant fronds of burdock, the narrow stalk of a spring onion, and everything between.

Three classes went by without any issues. But just ten minutes into my fourth, to my horror, I heard the words every teacher dreads: “Mr. Shah, I’m getting really itchy.”

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $16.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Ronak Shah is a middle school science teacher in Indianapolis, and has been for twelve years. He is also a Senior Writing Fellow with Teach Plus. His writing has been
published in Education Week, Indianapolis Business Journal, Chalkbeat, IndyStar, and The Hechinger Report. His instruction has been featured in The Washington Post and in the documentary Food First.

Education News

Newly Launched History AI Chat Helps Students to Search World History Encyclopedia

With over 420 million peer-reviewed historical documents and resources, World History Encyclopedia’s AI Chat now makes it easier for students to sift through those resources to find answers to their questions.

The Key to Enforcing Cell Phone Bans in Schools—with Help from CellGuard

If schools are serious about limiting phones, how can they enforce these policies in a way that is both practical and effective?

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Ronak Shah
Ronak Shah
Ronak Shah is a middle school science teacher in Indianapolis, and has been for twelve years. He is also a Senior Writing Fellow with Teach Plus. His writing has been published in Education Week, Indianapolis Business Journal, Chalkbeat, IndyStar, and The Hechinger Report. His instruction has been featured in The Washington Post and in the documentary Food First.

Advertisement

Read More

Newly Launched History AI Chat Helps Students to Search World History Encyclopedia

With over 420 million peer-reviewed historical documents and resources, World History Encyclopedia’s AI Chat now makes it easier for students to sift through those resources to find answers to their questions.

The Key to Enforcing Cell Phone Bans in Schools—with Help from CellGuard

If schools are serious about limiting phones, how can they enforce these policies in a way that is both practical and effective?

Celebrating Heritage: A Student-Led Journey Across Cultures

In today’s diverse classrooms, fostering cultural awareness is essential in order to create inclusive and engaging learning environments

Planting Seeds of Knowledge: Life Lessons from an Educational Farm

Waynesboro Education Farm is an ambitious project. It sits on 1.5 acres of land adjacent to Berkeley Glenn Elementary school in the city of Waynesboro, VA.

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.
jackpot slots games | como ganar dinero con el futbol | casino login | barona resort & casino | vegas casino online | casino rushbet | casinos en guadalajara | codere logo | maquinas tragamonedas gratis | casino slots | pop casino | codigo de promocion caliente | el casino del diablo | san nicolas hotel casino ensenada mexico | personaje de la marca waldos | como invitar amigos en tiktok para ganar dinero | slot | playcity casino cumbres | the quad resort and casino | fichas casino | slots of vegas casino | casinos bonos bienvenida gratis sin depósito en méxico online | codere bono 600 | terminal casino de la selva cuernavaca horarios al aeropuerto | casino del diablo hermosillo historia | apuestas casino futbol | casino royal | juegos para jugar ahora | casino nogales | intensamente juego | winclub | casino español | casino caliente slots | spin palace online casino español | como ganar en las maquinas de casino | netwey internet | winpot casino plaza las américas | viva méxico casino monterrey | ganabet casino online | juegos de girar la ruleta y ganar premios | epiphone casino john lennon | play city casino sucursales | winner casino login | como ganar dinero rapido stardew valley | ruleta sorteo | casinos en tampico | monterrey vs comunicaciones vuelta | slots of vegas casino | paginas para ganar dinero paypal jugando | casino gran via | ballys las vegas hotel & casino | como es ser cajero de casino online | slot madness | imagen ruleta casino | la ruleta de la suerte en directo | instalar casino online | slots of vegas casino | juegos que te permiten ganar dinero | juegos para jugar en linea | flamingo casino |