Teaching My Class of Two in an Infinite Classroom

Kids are naturally interested in learning. It’s us adults who manage to squander that passion by making it too ridged or not conducive to the way our individual child likes to learn. In my quest to find ways to keep a strong love of learning in my children, we’re stepping away from the table more and even out of the house entirely.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

I’m still in the process “deschooling” myself. This basically means re-working my brain to see schooling differently than I have my whole life.–Outside of a structured and traditional environment. It has been an interesting process in and of itself.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

We don’t get outside enough. Just speaking for myself. That’s all changing now.

Some friends introduced us to a park nearby with a dam and I’ve been in love with it ever since. During the week it’s deserted and feels like our own private beach.

I’m constantly reminding myself that learning isn’t all done in books. It’s done through observing and discovering the world around us, meeting new people and asking lots of questions. It’s done in the heat of the summer, and dead of the winter, playing in fall leaves and picking spring flowers.–Or while wandering around a sculpture garden completing a scavenger hunt.

umlaf-sculptur-garden

This is all new to us. But we’re learning each and every day everywhere. 

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.
Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.

Learning outdoors with kids, deschooling and re-learning how to have fun while learning. Homeschooling adventures.


To read and learn more about our summer learning outdoors check out my Tampico is Color photoblog


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Tiff says:

I love this post! Lil J and Big T look like they were having a blast. And it’s true that kids learn everywhere.

aly mashrah says:

Yes! I think it’s so important to learn outside of textbooks. Gaining experience through different places and activities is such a great learning tool for children especially. They can learn so much just by being outdoors and exploring the world around them and seeing how things work on their own. So neat!

Dee says:

I believe that it is important that children get to experience the world around them than just reading about it. Experience gives them memories to hold to and expands their minds.

We homeschool and have found that some of the best “learning” takes place away from textbooks. I love the experiences my daughter has gained from visiting places we go to and meeting new people. There is so much to learn in the world around us that we often miss because we are stuck inside. It looks like your kids are having a blast and are learning while they are creating fun memories.

Tami says:

Thanks for the encouragement! Seeing your kiddos having a blast outdoors while learning gives me hope that homeschooling is the right choice for my youngest child. I can’t wait to see what other learning ideas you have for the outdoors.

Jasmine says:

Oh my goodness this is just an amazing post! I only wish I had the opportunity to do the same with my two little ones. Gorgeous pictures and a amazing inspiration.

I’m a school teacher and I’m a firm believer that kids need to get outside more and learn practical, day to day things they don’t normally see in a classroom!

victoria says:

I really admire this post. kids looks like have fun and their happy moments. Kids learn everywhere and anywhere. every single thing that they do.

I’ve heard a lot about deschooling in the last few months. As an adult, I’ve definitely noticed that I love to learn mostly by exploring and figuring things out on my own. No textbooks involved. Being outdoors, immersed in nature, is a great way to learn and have fun!

Jacqui says:

You’ve hit the nail on the head. I see so much growth in my kids during the summer, when I send them to a camp that’s activity based, but incorporates learning. I wish I could find a school like that. Good for you for getting outdoors more, that’s also my goal.

Natalie says:

I love you blog, love this photos, Thanks for you great posts, I am so happy reading you posts , please keep writing.

Natalie says:

I love you blog, love this photos, Thanks for you great posts, I am so happy reading you posts , please keep writing. I have three children and I have no time to teach them, I hope I will fix this.

Obviously I was only shadowing for two days, but in follow-up interviews with both of my host students, they assured me that the classes I experienced were fairly typical.


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Hi! I’m Jennifer Borget

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I'm a former journalist, and lifelong creator striving to make the world a better place. This is the space where I share my journey in making the most of every day by cherishing our individuality and celebrating our differences.



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