Place-based learning uses the local environment and community as the starting point for teaching the objectives of the curriculum. We will provide resources and create opportunities for cross-curricular learning on the land while fostering relationships between school and community. Teachers are expected and supported to take more learning outdoors for all the health and learning benefits that come with spending time outside and in nature. Examples of this work include:
- Investment in equipment for outdoor activities and learning
- Ensuring all students have access to clothing, and footwear for outdoor activities
- Participation in the year-long Take Me Outside For Learning Challenge
- Support for educator participation in learning opportunities to build capacity for outdoor learning (Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association workshops and network, Environmental Education Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) partnerships, Open Learning Store webinars, Outdoor Council of Canada certification, other)
- Interactive digital map of place-based learning sites, resources, and opportunities
- Relationships with community educators, organizations, and facilities to bring community educators into the classroom and students out into community settings
- Independent Directed Study (IDS) framework to honour community and cultural learning with graduation program credits
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER in, on, with, and from the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District land and communities:
Bull Mountain Hike
150 Mile Elementary
While cross country skiing was not possible Mrs. Davis and her Grade 3/4 class turned Bull Mountain into a great hiking adventure to the 'Mike's Maison' hut. With the help of Martin Kruus the class hiked several kilometers on the school snow shoes, investigated local ecosystems and animal tracks.
Frozen Art
150 Mile Elementary
Mrs. Davis took her Grade 3/4 class outside to create frozen pictures. Using various natural materials such as pine cones, grass, sticks and leaves, students created scenery pictures and then left them in a shallow pan of water to freeze overnight.
Animal Identification
150 Mile Elementary
Mary Forbes was in 150 Mile visiting classes to help them learn about winter animal identification. Mary's lessons on 'Poop and Prints' was engaging for all students, helping them learn how to identify various winter animals by the paw prints and scat they leave behind.
Winter Habitat
150 Mile Elementary
Students in Mrs. Davis's Grade 3/4 class took a walking field trip in the land around the school to find and investigate winter habitat for animals and other creatures. With an unknown on what they might find, their diligence in looking found them an old bees nest and winter activity from squirrels.
Take Me Outside
150 Mile Elementary
Mrs. Coulombe's Kindergarten/Grade 1 class took the opportunity to visit Scout Island during 'Take Me Outside' week. Students were led by Martin Kruus around Scout Island learning about animal habitat and interconnected ecosystems.
Project Wet (Part 2)
150 Mile Elementary
Jessica and Roland from HCTF (Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation) came back to 150 Mile to continue supporting teachers build their skills in teaching outdoor/place based curriculum.
Composting
150 Mile Elementary
Oliver from the Potato House visited Mrs. Neufeld's Grade 2/3 class to learn all about how to compost and what bacteria and other creatures help the process along.
Salmon Run
150 Mile Elementary
Students from 150 Mile Elementary took a trip to Horsefly to view and learn about the spawning salmon. The run being quite large this year gave the students great viewing of the salmon in the river and lots of 'expired' salmon on the river's edge.
Research Forest
150 Mile Elementary
Mrs. Coulombe and her Kindergarten/Grade 1 class went to the UBC Research Forest to learn about forest ecology and animal habitats. They also made some nature art! Great local opportunity for the students to learn outside!
Fossil Dig
150 Mile Elementary
Mrs. Vath and Mrs. McKimm took their classes to a local area for a fossil dig. All students learned the proper etiquette and basic skills necessary to search for and identify fossils. Great hands on science!
Cold Science
150 Mile Elementary
During our recent cold snap, students at 150 Mile took to outside to investigate temperature and it's impact on objects. Determining the freezing time and effect on bubbles was a very engaging lesson by Mrs. Vath!
Measuring Water Levels
150 Mile Elementary
Students at 150 Mile were measuring water depth using sticks and relative comparisons to find the deepest part of the creek behind the school. While the creek is only about 20 cm at it's deepest, this ill advised, and unsuccessful, jump, resulted in learning first hand about very cold water and a
Scout Island Visit
150 Mile Elementary
Students form Mrs. Coulombe's K/1 class visited Scout Island to learning about animal behaviours and habitat through winter months, local ecosystems and walk the trails. Huge shout out to the staff at Scout Island for their dedicated work hosting our students.
Winter Poetry
150 Mile Elementary
Our Grade 2/3 and 4/5 "Reading Buddies" took to the outside for some language arts. Moving to the WLFN Creek area behind the school the students used the outdoors for inspiration for their poetry writing activity. The venue proved great for inspiring our students to write some very creative poems.
Scout Island
150 Mile Elementary
Mrs. Coulombe's K-1 class went to Scout Island to learn about habitat, local plants, and insects. The hands on learning activities are very engaging and fun for all levels.