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:
Little Learners Under the Big Sky
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ashley Merth's kindergarten and grade 1 students had an exciting local adventure! They have been learning about community helpers in class and extended that learning by taking the city bus through town, getting off at the TRU campus and walking to the Dairy Fields from there. While at the Dairy Fields, they explored the ponds, looking for tadpoles and connecting to their science learning.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/2bf8e221-7493-4aa6-a3ad-8153fb0e1fd8?fingerprint=ppb20260525170406" alt="Little Learner under big sky heather mckinnon" width="527" height="703" style="width:527px;height:703px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Spring Education Outside!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Merth's and Ms. Goertz's classes were at Scout Island on Friday! We are so luck that we have access to this incredible space. Students really do thrive on these days and they have fun while learning also!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e6a2887b-b0d2-4ef5-a1a9-a1723a444aef?fingerprint=ppb20260519165005" alt="Spring Education Outside! marina campsall" width="647" height="485" style="width:647px;height:485px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Outside for Spring!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Due to our lack of access to forested areas here at Marie Sharpe, we are so lucky to have a bus that takes one or two of our classes to Scout Island EVERY WEEK! We love it! Our students get some much needed outside learning and play time, and they have the privilege of working with the knowledgeable staff at the Nature House sometimes as well.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We try to take every opportunity to go and explore Scout Island!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The students are very happy that winter is over for these outdoor field trips, however (hehe).</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d3dbbe3c-19df-4651-80b2-2b059da3fb66?fingerprint=ppb20260422045353" alt="Outside for Spring 2 marina campsall" 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="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6f5b65a8-ee43-4660-b5cf-b53efb1047f7?fingerprint=ppb20260422045352" alt="Outside for Spring 1 marina campsall" 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>
Winter at Scout Island
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Marie Sharpe students have a weekly opportunity to explore and learn at Scout Island Nature Center. Martin Kraus supports the learning there by sharing many resources and hands-on activities for the students in and around the nature house. The students and staff also enjoy the time and freedom to explore outdoors: fort building using natural materials, sand and snow play, toys as well as creating musical instruments are just some of the creative ways students are engaging with the environment. We are grateful for this partnership and the ongoing privilege to learn and play on Scout Island.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ca5f9e28-6b77-497b-adb3-e73feac736b8?fingerprint=ppb20260123200948" alt="Scout Island Winter heather mckinnon" width="580" height="580" style="width:580px;height:580px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Footprints in the Snow
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some curious students noticed different markings frozen in the school yard. After learning that they were deer tracks, they asked questions and took turns guessing how and when a deer might have made its way through the playground. They were also able to explain the weather conditions that made it possible for the tracks to remain there for us to see. Place-based learning in the moment!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/747c3279-36c0-4448-80e6-3620fc6f6c86?fingerprint=ppb20260121235339" alt="Footprints in the snow heather mckinnon" width="563" height="751" style="width:563px;height:751px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
French Vocabulary Comes Alive Outside
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mr. Parkin’s class spent part of the day learning French vocabulary in a creative and hands-on way by taking their language lesson outdoors. Students explored the school grounds to find natural items that matched specific colour words in French, then sketched what they observed in their notebooks. This activity supported both language acquisition and meaningful time spent outside.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By connecting academic learning with the natural environment, this lesson directly supports our district’s focus on Human and Social Development. Students strengthened their communication skills, collaborated with classmates, and built confidence as they applied new vocabulary in a real-world setting. Outdoor learning also promotes well-being by giving students space to move, observe, breathe fresh air, and feel connected to their surroundings.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Experiences like this help students develop curiosity, resilience, and joy in their learning, core elements of SD27’s vision for success.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></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/31380dc4-0562-41c0-90c3-182913f44a94?fingerprint=ppb20251217033848" alt="IMG 3095 marina campsall" 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/f5df5aec-5e3f-4604-ae42-b2795f402e1c?fingerprint=ppb20251217040525" alt="IMG 3091 marina campsall" 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><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Bringing the Outside in
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of our littlest learners spent some time outside collecting materials for some indoor activities. Tied to story, science and sense of self, these works of art are posted on the walls in our hallways which also contributes to the students' sense of belonging and their pride in our school. Bringing the outdoors in has brightened up the halls!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6822ad9f-0199-4c81-8892-6d48f9136085?fingerprint=ppb20251217034128" alt="Outside In heather mckinnon" width="405" height="405" style="width:405px;height:405px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Building Habitats
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of our grade 1 & 2 students took a walking field trip over to Boitanio park where they used natural, found materials to create habitats for toy animals. They used their creativity to build habitats, keeping in mind their science learnings about what different species need in their environment.</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/a7eb9025-5c46-4c14-8d94-482f58482127?fingerprint=ppb20260318043122" alt="Building habitats 2 heather mckinnon" 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/45f9de73-6661-441c-8c73-c16ed7568d3d?fingerprint=ppb20260318043123" alt="Building habitats 1 heather mckinnon" 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>
Land Art
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Goertz and Mr. Parkin's grade 6s learned about land art -- using natural materials to create sculpture. They walked over to Boitanio Park to create works of art using shape, line and colours to express their creativity.</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/5c73e287-de20-412c-89d9-c63d70af5480?fingerprint=ppb20260318042950" alt="Land art 2 heather mckinnon" 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/f3c8e7d4-b05a-4bc6-9c25-ea8eea881c56?fingerprint=ppb20260318042952" alt="Land art 1 heather mckinnon" 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>
Kindergartens & Grade 1s Create Repeating Patterns With What They Find in Nature
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This week, Ms. Brown's K/1 class explored during outdoor learning time! Students searched the school grounds to find natural materials like leaves, rocks, sticks, and pinecones. Using what they collected, they created beautiful repeating patterns. It was wonderful to see how creative and observant everyone was while discovering that math can be found all around us in the natural world. 🌿🍂✨</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d1bf9c0a-18c2-4c2e-a406-5a2cf0bb4a50?fingerprint=ppb20251217040307" alt="Kindergartens Grade 1s create repeating pat marina campsall" width="491" height="948" style="width:491px;height:948px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Students Observing a Dragonfly
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This week one of Marie Sharpe's EAs Brianna Hall caught some students observing a Dragonfly. The students are soaking in all the Fall animals and nature they can before the snow falls!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for sharing this with us Brianna!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d438e994-23e9-4221-8d50-e616b728e836?fingerprint=ppb20260318035202" alt="Students Observing a Dragonfly2 marina campsall" 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="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/db2db9c3-fad2-4622-bf19-53fc894a41e6?fingerprint=ppb20260318035202" alt="Students Observing a Dragonfly1 marina campsall" 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>
Learning in the Outdoor Classroom
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Primary students at Marie Sharpe Elementary learn to co-operate, use their imagination, develop fine and gross motor skills and build relationships in the outdoor classroom right outside our front doors.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/6aeac2d9-2ac9-4865-a727-d4ae54eb1506?fingerprint=ppb20251217034408" alt="Learning in our Outdoor Classroom heather mckinnon" width="539" height="539" style="width:539px;height:539px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Family Fun Night!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Marie Sharpe’s hardworking PAC planned a wonderful Family Fun Night and BBQ that was well attended by many families. Thank you to the PAC and many staff who helped make the event a memorable experience!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" 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/ab158619-dc0a-487a-a2ef-5f7496b97c0d?fingerprint=ppb20251217035552" alt="Family Fun Night!" 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/a3f6cfc9-a4e4-4b6a-80a7-2d408ff89250?fingerprint=ppb20251217035221" alt="Family Fun Night!" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><br><br></p>
A Trip to Polley Mine
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After completing a unit on resource management, Mr. Parkin took his grade 5/6 class to Mt. Polley Mine for a tour. Students were treated to a full tour of the mine and its operations. This was an amazing day that enriched the learning and had students fully engaged. A huge thank you to Mt. Polley and their employees for taking the time to do this for us.</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/3377097b-531a-5de7-aba6-1345e5f8d2f3?fingerprint=ppb20251217033901" alt="xk9rsal8.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/9205b136-c425-593f-955a-e43215b34d72?fingerprint=ppb20251217035006" alt="zo75xvua.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Take Me Outside for Learning
Marie Sharpe Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TMO4L Week got all of us outside for great learning opportunities. Classes spent time at Scout Island, walking through our neighbourhood to conduct polls, and all over our school grounds for math, art, and gym. Here we see Ms. Campbell's class taking in an amazing Fall Day while creating nature art.</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/9eb6de06-8dd5-50bc-acd3-4a5225fb510d?fingerprint=ppb20251217034854" alt="n0f2clyz.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1ebe917c-13f1-5e58-b716-96dfb46f8460?fingerprint=ppb20251217033752" alt="gf8lmqwo.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>