For principals and school leaders
Outdoor learning for your whole school.
Prepared lessons every teacher can lead on your own grounds, with guidance for staff new to teaching outside.
Free for teachers. No child accounts.
What your school gets
Prepared lessons
Objectives, background notes, materials and a lesson preview.
Help while teaching
Pictures, spoken prompts and printable resources.
Safety guidance
Practical points to review for your site, conditions and children.
Records and curriculum links
Minutes outside by class and term, plus curriculum links.
Questions principals ask
- Can teachers lead without nature training?
- Teachers can prepare with the lesson preview and background notes, then use the pictures and prompts outside.
- How much preparation is needed?
- The resources are prepared. Teachers check the lesson, materials and safety guidance for their class and site.
- Will it fit our schedule?
- Choose by lesson duration and use your own schoolyard. A regular slot helps teachers plan ahead.
- What can we share with school leaders and families?
- Minutes outside by class and term, and the curriculum links printed on each lesson.
Sustainability plan
Put your schoolyard at the heart of your sustainability plan.
Nature Class combines habitat improvements, student observations and ready-to-lead outdoor learning into one practical school program. It can support the environmental education recognized by Eco-Schools USA and the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award.
Eco-Schools USA from the National Wildlife FederationFunding
Grants for your schoolyard.
Many states and local partners fund schoolyard habitats and outdoor classrooms, such as the Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant and California’s CAL FIRE Green Schoolyards grants. We help you find a fit and shape the project, alongside free Nature Class lessons.
Why teach outside?
Classroom engagement
A study of two classes found better engagement after lessons in nature. Read the study
Different ways to participate
Children can observe, move, make and discuss what they find.
Learning from real things
Study plants and habitats on your grounds, then return to see what changes.
Use the grounds you have
Start with a tree, planter or patch of vegetation. Choose lessons that suit your space. Use children’s observations to decide what to care for or improve.
Safety and supervision
Teachers review the activity guidance alongside the school’s own site assessment, supervision arrangements and children’s needs.
For schools in the United States
Check lesson objectives and NGSS links against your state’s standards and district curriculum.
Cost and getting started
Nature Class is free for teachers. Check each lesson’s materials before you start.
For support across your school, tell us about your teachers, schedule and schoolyard.