Learning Beyond the Classroom: Jeffers Fourth Graders Explore Hoffmaster State Park

Some of the best lessons don’t come from a textbook—they come from the world around us. That’s exactly what Jeffers Elementary fourth graders discovered during a recent day of outdoor learning at Hoffmaster State Park.

Under bright fall skies, students traded desks for dunes and classrooms for trails, diving into Michigan’s natural beauty with curiosity and enthusiasm. Guided by park educators and supported by their teachers and a smattering of parents, students spent the day exploring the unique ecosystems of Hoffmaster—learning how wind shapes the dunes, how plants adapt to sandy soil, and how wildlife thrives along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

But this wasn’t just a science lesson. It was a day filled with conversation, collaboration, and discovery. Students discussed what they saw and heard, asked thoughtful questions of their guides, and shared observations with one another. In doing so, they not only learned about nature—they learned from it.

Outdoor education experiences like this one are a hallmark of Spring Lake Public Schools’ commitment to hands-on, meaningful learning. They allow students to see the direct connections between what they study in class and the world beyond school walls. These kinds of experiences spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and remind students that learning happens everywhere.

“The smiles, the sand, and the sense of wonder said it all,” Mrs. Fitzpatrick said. “Days like this are the ones students remember.”

As the buses rolled back to Jeffers, the excitement of the day was still buzzing—a shared reminder that education is at its best when it inspires students to explore, ask questions, and appreciate the world they’re part of.

Go Lakers—for learning in every environment and finding joy in discovery!