At a time when screens dominate daily life, the students at St. Joseph’s Indian School took a step back — literally — during a spring Unplugged Hour Discovery Walk. Led by Claire, St. Joseph’s librarian, the students set out with one goal: to explore, observe and embrace the world around them.
The idea stemmed from a research project conducted by last year’s fourth graders on water conservation as they walked outdoors by the Missouri River, which flows adjacent to St. Joseph’s. Among their findings was a simple, yet profound, suggestion: spend an hour walking unplugged, outdoors to positively impact your life. Students loved the idea so much that they asked to do it again this year. Claire was happy to oblige, turning the walk into an adventure of discovery, reflection and fun.
“It is just a matter of encouraging them to slow down, observe and connect,” Claire said. “They feel proud when they are the first to notice something, or when they can teach me about something they learned.”
And that they did! From identifying male and female pinecones to testing the scent of wild mint, students used all their senses to engage with their surroundings.
The walk wasn’t just about wandering — it was about wondering. Whether examining pine sap, spotting feathers or lifting rocks to uncover bugs, the students reveled in the thrill of exploration.
“I think they just like looking for something to wonder about — and when you walk around with that mindset, there is always something cool,” Claire said.
To keep engagement high, Claire assigned students special roles — one carried a trash bag, another took notes and someone was put in charge of the “Ugghy Bug” gloves for lifting rocks to reveal crawly critters.
“Kids love to be in charge of something!” she said, and these simple assignments transformed the walk into an interactive and collaborative experience.
More than just a fun outing, the Unplugged Hour Discovery Walk aligned with St. Joseph’s values and traditions. Claire sees it as a reflection of Lakota teaching methods, emphasizing observational and self-directed learning.
“I think it reinforces how we are part of the natural world and that all life is connected,” she said.
Once back indoors, the learning continued. The group gathered to go over the notes from their designated note keeper — revisiting all the things they saw.
“I’ll say, ‘Remember when you found that spider web? What did we learn?’” Claire said, prompting and helping students reflect on their discoveries. She takes photos throughout their adventures, sometimes turning them into picture books to commemorate their explorations.
The Unplugged Hour Discovery Walk was not a one-and-done adventure. Claire plans to facilitate more unplugged walks, especially now that the South Dakota weather is warming up.
For anyone inspired to host their own Unplugged Hour Discovery Walk, Claire offers simple yet powerful advice for those hoping to replicate the experience: embrace the discovery mindset. Sometimes, the best discoveries happen when you put down the screen, step outside and simply wonder.
To learn more about the educational programs at St. Joseph’s Indian School, visit stjo.org today!
