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:
Winter Habitat
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Great discussions and learning occurred making the walking field trip a great experience.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/eec7d22b-2e15-44a1-a318-ba4b37a6fa61" alt="Winter Habitat1 Craig Munroe" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/aa0462a8-c614-45c9-969f-f6f3fb5fcb35" alt="Winter Habitat2 Craig Munroe" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Trustee Show of Support
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin School District trustees sported their Take Me Outside for Learning shirts at the BC School Trustees Academy to show their support and enthusiasm for this priority in our district.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/c739b255-e1fe-4860-99af-0e6b7578c17b" alt="Trustee Show of Support cheryl lenardon" width="484" height="363" style="width:484px;height:363px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin team at First Nations Education Steering Council (FNESC) got to hear from Niigaan Sinclair about Truth and Reconciliation in education in Canada. It was meaningful for our team to see Phyllis Webstad and Orange Shirt Day honoured alongside the achievements of the great Murray Sinclair.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/bab5f82e-e402-4c0c-a283-08756d8f6aa0" alt="Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC1 cheryl lenardon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/53cabbc0-9430-489b-abe3-4d7ad498315e" alt="Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC2 cheryl lenardon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Journey to System Change for Place-Based Learning
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin School District is honoured to have the story of how we are intentionally growing place-based learning across our district in the BC School Superintendents Association journal InspirEd. We are engaging leaders, teams, and students in activities and experiences beyond the walls of the classroom. We are working with partners to build capacity, equip schools, and expand opportunties. It is good work that we are proud to share. https://flip.matrixgroupinc.net/bcsb/2025/fall/#page=21</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/46504310-d6c5-4a39-b065-39ef953392b2" alt="InspirEd 2025 cheryl lenardon" width="563" height="316" style="width:563px;height:316px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Take Me Outside
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/0a23202e-f972-45e7-8542-f7e7e747ab0a" alt="96 Craig Munroe" width="680" height="495" style="width:680px;height:495px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Project Wet (Part 2)
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Students were engaged in multiple activities with their teachers, supported by Jessica and Roland, learning about water conservation, wildlife habitat. These learning sessions are all part of our WILD Schools initiative.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/09862637-d4fd-4220-8eee-097e8050b96d" alt="95 Craig Munroe" width="407" height="542" style="width:407px;height:542px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Composting
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Above and beyond the knowledge Oliver shared he brought along some real compost and had the students roll up their sleeves and investigate hands on. Worms, worms worms, delighted the students and were the find of the day!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3bcb6f23-4a10-4d8a-9fc7-7839165a21e5" alt="46 Craig Munroe" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Salmon Run
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Indigenous ways of harvesting the salmon was also covered with the support of our Indigenous Support Worker.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b73dbcaf-4917-4549-bae1-2ad3bb7dcffb" alt="11 Craig Munroe" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Research Forest
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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!</span></p>
Fossil Dig
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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!</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8c44a745-499b-4eea-b9d8-72eca1156d57" alt="Fossil Dig" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/7190f9ce-1f55-4688-aa5d-975bb6e97072" alt="Fossil Dig" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Cold Science
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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! While it might have been -24 degrees, the students hardly noticed as they conducted their experiments.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/91281e43-d6fe-47e1-8f71-0b2ccc82c39d" alt="Cold Science" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b43f14bc-9175-4096-941c-ccfac363aa01" alt="Cold Science" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Measuring Water Levels
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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 better understanding of following teacher instructions. Experiential learning at it's finest!</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/0245f908-46f7-5480-b289-e635cdcf093e" alt="177ayvfh.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>
Scout Island Visit
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/95215727-2900-578c-ba07-991141a1ab2e" alt="89s7x21d.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>
Winter Poetry
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/f7bfe39c-b167-53d9-949b-ffa683b6226a" alt="wgtvxhzr.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/1483f490-3c04-531b-814b-7a576eb22cf5" alt="l5fjrzwb.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Scout Island
150 Mile Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/154e995b-164c-575b-80cd-594b0d37dc3e" alt="g8su5fsj.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/be36f370-ca5c-5cb3-b38a-73db0380108f" alt="9y6k0ogt.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>