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:
Earth Day Challenge
Nesika Elementary
This year, teachers at Nesika were challenged to take learning outdoors for the day. The result was a full day of activities, including environmental education, nature-based literacy, a story walk, outdoor art, recycling and composting lessons, and classes held entirely outside.
Earth Day Choose Your Own Adventure
Nesika Elementary
April brings us both Spring weather and Earth Day. At Nesika, we are embracing both by getting our classrooms outdoors in as many purposeful ways as possible.
The Garden as a Learning Space
Nesika Elementary
Kindergarten teacher Mrs Routtu is working on revitalizing our garden space and Nesika - bringing it back to life and turning it into a learning space for all. On Take Me Outside for Learning Day, her class spent time sheltering from the wind in one of the green houses.
Leaf Man Takes Us Outside
Nesika Elementary
After reading Leaf Man, Mrs. Nasuszny took her grade 4/5 class outside for TMO4L. Students collected leaves and created art pieces…. Thanks to the wind our options were plentiful.
Sit Spots at Nesika
Nesika Elementary
Ms. Kolinsky took her grade 1/2 class outside to find their sit spots. Sit Spots deepen our connection to nature, provide a regulation space for all of us, and foster a greater understanding of nature.
Music in Nature
Nesika Elementary
Today for TMO4L day, music teacher Vanessa Neufeld took classes outside to learn "spooky, scary, skeleton" on the ukulele.
The Forest Is Our Classroom
Nesika Elementary
Music teacher Mrs. Neufeld is taking her music classes outside each day for purposeful learning. Here we see a lesson with the grade 5/6 French Immersion class about reading music.
The Forest as a Classroom
Nesika Elementary
Nothing beats learning in nature, especially with the sun shining. Here we see Kindergarten and grade 1 students taking part in an ADST lesson about using materials safely, and building solid structures.
Nesika Celebrates Completion of WILD Schools Program
Nesika Elementary
Today was Nesika’s day to celebrate our four year HCTF WILD School journey. We are so proud of the growth our staff and students have made over this time to take learning outside in a fun and meaningful way!
WaterWise at the WL Community Forest
Nesika Elementary
We value the relationship we have with Jenny and the educators who run WaterWise. This relationship with community education allows us to take our students into community settings for place-based learning. Thanks WaterWise!
Cariboo Compost Visits
Nesika Elementary
Thank you Oliver from Cariboo Compost for coming in and teaching lots of our students the benefit of composting! 🌿 We appreciate our community partnership!
Nesika Does The "Great Big Crunch!"
Nesika Elementary
Nesika joined in the cross-Canada fun by participating in the annual Great Big Crunch! Our students and staff all came together to enjoy a healthy crunchy snack (APPLES!) and celebrate the importance of good nutrition.
Learning About Cold Stress
Nesika Elementary
Ms. Campsall’s grade 5/6 class had a full outdoor learning day at Scout Island. There they learned about “Cold Stress” - examining ice safety, hypothermia, and practiced how to treat a cold stressed person. Fantastic day!
Animal Adaptations
Nesika Elementary
Winter weather is here, and classes are learning about local animal adaptations. Students in Mme Jones' class know that huddling up like a nest is a great way for small mammals to stay warm. As they demonstrate, it's good for fourth and fifth graders too!
Nesika School Learns HCTF Project WET
Nesika Elementary
On Take Me Outside for Learning day, staff and students at Nesika participated in a full day of station rotations learning all about WATER. In Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation's (HCTF) "Project WET" workshop, educators learn all about teaching about water and watersheds.
Biodiversity in Our Environment
Nesika Elementary
Students in Mrs. McKinnon's grade 3/4 class have been learning about biodiversity and how all of the living things in our environment are interconnected.
Nature Journals at Our Sit Spots
Nesika Elementary
After reading Me and My Sit Spot by Lauren MacLean and illustrated by Anna Panchuk, Mrs. McKinnon's grade 3/4 class ventured outdoors to choose a sit spot of their own.