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Hello Kate,
I love teaching outdoors! Part of the problem you face is the novelty of taking your students outside your classroom and wasting time walking out and back in. As Jacqueline has stated - you plan, plan, plan! But remember, planning does not mean that you dictate every moment the students have outside. Build the activity as an inquiry and allow students some flexibility in asking questions, gathering data and exploring. Don't make going outside a lecture under the trees.
Transitions are some of the most important things to consider - as you are already aware. You can eliminate difficult transitions by...eliminating them entirely! Structure your activity where the students meet you outdoors and spend the entire period outside. Whatever you plan - try to run through it yourself beforehand so you can avoid pitfalls (literally and figuratively), check safety and guage the time commitment. Prepare the students the day before so they know where to go, what to wear, what to bring and what NOT to bring (large back packs, food, etc). Prepare all the materials you will need the day before - including checklists that the students will need to complete for the activity. I recommend you ask for some volunteers to meet you at the classroom to help carry out any materials or equipment. (I always thanked volunteers with a candy treat.) Once you have all the students outside, instruct them and give them a timeline for gathering together to return equipment, collect samples and have a discussion before dismissal. Have students keep a log and take photos of their observations which they could share on a virtual drive. Use these pics next class for discussions. Get some volunteers to help carry stuff back to the classroom. The 'indoor' investigation can continue next period.
Hope this helps!
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