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:
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>
The Garden as a Learning Space
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Students worked hard on fine motor skills and found joy in loose parts play.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/84fa8f47-0fcf-4ba9-999b-960c12941736" alt="IMG 5772 kelly glen" width="476" height="634" style="width:476px;height:634px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Leaf Man Takes us Outside
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/5ee19fcf-2d0f-4510-96d8-a1eb8d5f841f" alt="FullSizeRender kelly glen" width="405" height="347" style="width:405px;height:347px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Sit Spots at Nesika
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Today her class spent time observing the wind and the impact the force of a 26km/hr wind has on nature.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/12c82735-6151-45d3-badc-fc5862b60286" alt="Sitspots" width="361" height="203" style="width:361px;height:203px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Music in Nature
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today for TMO4L day, music teacher Vanessa Neufeld took classes outside to learn "spooky, scary, skeleton" on the ukulele.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9cb1d9b2-c0ac-4072-8b8d-9a96b28c9b13" alt="processed 2745858E 90A7 469C A465 FBF6865B33D kelly glen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
The Forest is our Classroom
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3477fee7-1588-4577-851d-248224358f6d" alt="music 2 kelly glen" width="378" height="503" style="width:378px;height:503px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
The Forest as a Classroom
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/0fa849bd-bd58-4317-a594-ac917c613734" alt="IMG 5548 kelly glen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Nesika Celebrates Completion of WILD Schools Program
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For today’s celebration of outdoor learning the whole school spent the whole day outside in buddy classes. Further write up to come, but here’s a few snaps - including 12 empty classrooms!</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/62714e12-b6ab-4ff2-ae18-7766f885faca" alt="Nesika Celebrates Completion of WILD Schools Program" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/332bb5de-0011-4e40-b0eb-be2765f9a6ca" alt="Nesika Celebrates Completion of WILD Schools Program" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
WaterWise at the WL Community Forest
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: left;"><br></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/8da42482-58c4-41c3-9ea0-702f3250b817" alt="WaterWise at the WL Community Forest" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/18545e60-8420-4a72-bce5-6d38c72e9c7d" alt="WaterWise at the WL Community Forest" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><br><br></p>
Cariboo Compost Visits
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Oliver from Cariboo Compost for coming in and teaching lots of our students the benefit of composting! 🌿 We appreciate our community partnership!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/68e6ccc8-7bc3-4647-9bf6-e69c1022c6f3" alt="Cariboo Compost Visits" width="787" height="1049" style="width:787px;height:1049px"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Nesika does the "Great Big Crunch!"
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. It is a great way to promote healthy eating and raise awareness about the benefits of locally grown food (BC Gala Apples!). A big thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a success!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b92494f8-df2a-4bf4-af75-6fea4305f78d" alt="Nesika does the Great Big Crunch" width="691" height="563" style="width:691px;height:563px"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Learning about Cold Stress
Nesika Elementary
Animal Adaptations
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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!</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/2b5dbd29-31e9-5faa-8fcc-7c5de280de8d" alt="i46zv7y5.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>
Nesika School Learns HCTF Project WET
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. Educators must take the workshops as part of our commitment to being an HCTF WILD School. We choose to do our learning alongside our students as it's a richer learning experience for all of us. Thank you Martin Kruus for leading our workshop and supporting our work to take students outside for learning!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1d90c8fc-729f-5e32-a85d-9f3646065802" alt="xfbty8cl.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p>
Biodiversity in our Environment
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. They took their roles as scientists, observers and biologists seriously as they created scientific diagrams of some interesting living things in the school yard. They worked to develop independence with their spelling skills as they labelled their diagrams. The activity culminated with a sharing circle where everyone was able to identify a different living organism in our local environment.</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/649b22ac-c4da-55cb-bdb2-f8cc256014a9" alt="b5xpcg8g.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>
Nature Journals at our Sit Spots
Nesika Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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. They sat quietly for a few moments, some switching spots that were better suited to them and then everyone settled into nature journaling about what they could see, hear, smell and feel. Students gathered together afterwards to share ideas and then completed a scavenger hunt outdoors as well. At the end of the week, one student reflected on the experience as something that inspired them.</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/7858f877-bdbd-5c76-ad08-4f1e26fc07f4" alt="k9zh1qqq.jpg" 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" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>