Outdoor Learning
I believe that it is important to provide students with a variety of outdoor learning experiences to reinforce their connection with the natural world and to motivate them to be environmental stewards. Outdoor learning allows students to make deeper connections to their learning and to apply critical thinking by using inquiry to discover the world with all of their senses.
Throughout the year we often make use of the local environment by going to the beach, and forest for unstructured playtime or to as a way to deepen our knowledge of our learning objectives. There will also be a multitude of local organizations that will be coming into the classroom to help create outdoor learning experiences throughout the year.
Here are a few examples of outdoor learning that the students will be participating in this year:
-gardening (Ryan Neil - parent volunteer)
-salmon hatchery and release program with Leah Carlson (marine biologist at the Quinsam Hatchery)
-Luisa Richardson (Comox Strathcona Waste Management Environmental Education)
-Sierra Club
-Greenways Land Trust (removal of invasive species)
-Deb Cowper (local marine biologist)
-Danita Lewis (Indigenous Language and Culture Teacher - native flora and fauna)
-Elaine Jansen (Composting)
Students should always come to school prepared for all weather because we will be going outside almost everyday, even in the rain.
Please have a look at this video for some more information on the benefits of Outdoor Learning: