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:
Our Sharks Go the Distance!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Our Marie Sharpe Sharks had a fantastic showing at this year's Cross Country Run at Boitanio Park! We had so many successful runners, and we couldn't be prouder of their hard work, determination, and perseverance! Our runners spent the past month training twice a week with Mrs. Reedman and Meagan B.
Outside & In
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mrs. Merth is building routines with her new Kindergarten students that involve time outside. Students followed her lead and sat in a circle, where they started their outdoor learning with a volcano breath.
Little Learners Under the Big Sky
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Spring Education Outside!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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!
Outside for Spring!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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!
Winter at Scout Island
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Footprints in the Snow
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
French Vocabulary Comes Alive Outside
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Bringing the Outside in
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Building Habitats
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Land Art
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Kindergartens & Grade 1s Create Repeating Patterns With What They Find in Nature
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Students Observing a Dragonfly
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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! Thank you for sharing this with us Brianna!
Learning in the Outdoor Classroom
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Family Fun Night!
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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!
A Trip to Polley Mine
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.
Take Me Outside for Learning
Marie Sharpe Elementary
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.