In this video, passionate educator David Bessette presents his brand-new book, “Le primaire en plein air” (“Elementary School Outdoors,” available in French only). Driven by a constant desire to make teaching more effective, David discovered over the years that learning through fun is a key ingredient in students' academic success. For English-speaking families and teachers, a good companion read is Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, which also explores why children need time in nature.
An innovative vision of education
David quickly realized there was immense educational potential in the outdoor environment, such as schoolyards, nearby parks and sometimes even the wooded areas that schools have access to. He looked for existing resources and activities for bringing outdoor education into the classroom, but ran into a void. So he decided to create his own activities, guided by a trial-and-error approach to learning.
The book: a valuable resource for teachers
Le primaire en plein air is the result of this experience and is the book David would have liked to have when he was starting out. He humbly addresses his colleagues, inviting them to adapt his ideas to their own reality and personality. The book is organized into two main parts:
The benefits of outdoor education:
- Reduced student anxiety
- Increased concentration and motivation
- Psychological and educational benefits of learning outdoors
Ready-to-use activities:
- 100 concrete, adaptable activities for every grade level and every elementary school subject
- Activities from kindergarten to Grade 6, covering science, French, visual arts and more
- Activities that can also be modified to suit high school
An invitation to reinvent education
With Le primaire en plein air, David offers a genuine invitation to step off the beaten path to enrich teaching without giving up proven methods. He encourages teachers to add new tools to their teaching arsenal and to reflect on society's vision of education.
As well as being a practical guide, the book is also enhanced by superb illustrations, making it even more enjoyable to read.
David Bessette's Le primaire en plein air is much more than a simple activity book. It's a deep reflection on how education can evolve by bringing in the outdoor environment, for students' well-being and success. An indispensable resource for any teacher looking to innovate and motivate their students in a fun and effective way.
Want to learn more? Take a few minutes to watch this video made by David himself! And to discover his many creative and innovative ideas for the education world, click here!