Nature Based Learning
Thank you for participating in our Nature-Based Learning Engagement. This consultation has now concluded
To Register:
1. Go to https://www.fsd38.ab.ca/Registration.php and complete the district registration form. Your registration will be marked as pending until such time that you receive confirmation from the EPPS Administration.
2. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpnkpt7xwq-KCG8hgFsjQ4381AKroO-Rj5x11KOkZArNgLHA/viewform?usp=pp_url to complete the Nature Based Learning Program follow up questionnaire.
3. Attend the Virtual Nature Based Information night TODAY - March 11. Both presentations will begin at 6:30pm. Please attend via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93123448249?pwd=THJrSVhueWpPV1VvckY4emJwL2Y4Zz09.
Meeting ID: 931 2344 8249
Passcode: fBz8AB
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On Wednesday February 10, 2021, the Board of Trustees approved the Nature-Based Alternative Program.
This program may launch at École Percy Pegler School (ÉPPS) for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year given sufficient enrollment.
This decision was based upon a feasibility study and implementation plan that was presented at the January 27, 2021 Board Meeting.
Previously, during the October 7, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting, Foothills School Division teachers, Ryan Lemphers and Graham Campbell presented a proposal for a Nature-based Alternative Program. At the same meeting on October 7, 2020 the Board approved that the school administration at ÉPPS to conduct this public engagement to complete a feasibility study for this Nature-based Alternative program.
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What is Nature Based Learning?
Nature based learning uses nature and our surrounding communities to develop strong, resilient, and engaged learners who have a sense of place and the confidence to lead in their communities and the world.
Why Nature based learning? Nature based learning is a powerful way to learn. Instead of making abstract connections from a textbook, students are immersed in the academic content as it unfolds before them in their own community. There is a beautiful flow that happens when learning in the outdoors. Students feel a sense of calm as they learn, and this leads to a more supportive learning environment.
Students involved in this program will:
- Experience increased motivation, engagement, and success with learning.
- Develop deep connections to nature and the environment
- Experience increased academic achievement.
- Experience learning that is meaningful and connected to the real world.
- Develop skills to overcome physical, emotional, and academic challenges.
- Become well rounded students who have a strong sense of community.
- Develop leadership skills to benefit their communities now and in the future.
Comments
Thank you for participating in our Nature-Based Learning Engagement. This consultation has now concluded
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Who's Listening
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Phone 403-652-6501 Email superintendent@fsd38.ab.ca -
Percy Pegler
Phone 403-938-4449 Email NatureBased@fsd38.ab.ca -
Teacher
Email LemphersR@fsd38.ab.ca -
Teacher
Email CampbellG@fsd38.ab.ca
This is an amazing program that my children have taken part in with Mr. Campbell at Westmount School. I am so thankful my children have had the opportunity to spend the time outside during school hours learning so much more than they could have ever learnt sitting at their desks five days a week. The growth we saw in them was not just on an academic level but also in their maturity and responsibility levels as well.
My children have never been selected to participate in nature based learning with Mr. Campbell and are extremely disappointed. Outdoor Education and Nature based learning should be a major part of the Alberta curriculum for ALL students. We teach our children to care for the environment, the impacts of climate change and the importance of being a good steward of our natural spaces and resources ... from a desk in a classroom. We 100% support this endeavor and hope FSD38 & Alberta Education will too.
I do not feel that one school should be the only place for Outdoor Education. This will pull many "like minded" teachers from all schools in our division when we need them throughout all schools in order to build capacity. We don't take all of the music or art specialists and put them into one place. We don't put all of the literacy specialists into one place. We do not take all of our PE specialists and put them into one school. Based on the numbers who would send their child there, it seems to be a need for ALL kids. I feel this program will take students out of their community schools when we have tried so hard with inclusion and boundary review to keep kids in their community schools. I think this way of learning should be the norm in all schools and by placing all those who are passionate about it into one school, the rest of the schools/students may suffer. Unless we want to be a division of 'charter schools', I think we need to be careful of having this program in only one school.
Our daughter loved her time in Mr. Campbell's outdoor learning class! She didn't want to miss a day even when she came home exhausted daily. She was so excited to share what she learned and how it applied to everyday life. When we are out in the community she will still share the things their class did in that area a year later! We tell everyone about how lucky she was to be part of this unique experience and if they ever have the opportunity to do it. Her confidence, resiliency, ownership and awareness of people and the community around her increased ten fold during her part year of outdoor learning. Such a wonderful program we would recommend to everyone and feel it would be such an amazing program and asset for FSD to offer!
This has been the best program for my 9 year old (grade 4)! He has ADHD and ODD, and this program has been the most supportive and encouraging school experience, almost catered to the way he learns. He is enthusiastic and excited every single day to not only go to school, but when he comes home as well. He is learning by touching, doing, experiencing, and his body is free to move and absorb the information, rather then sit still and have it told to him. He is learning about the environment, the province, and nature around him, in real life day to day settings. Real life skills are being taught in between math, science and all the regular school subjects. They learn in an engaging, inclusive setting. And I can’t speak high enough about Mr.Campbell and his complete and obvious passion to teach kids in this way. The information is being retained and repeated in the home setting, and it’s been magic to watch my son flourish this year!!
Our daughter was apart of the nature based classroom last year with Mr. Campbell. We saw an unbelievable change in her personality, her thinking process, and her overall demeanor. She learned to slow down, showcase self care, responsibility, and most of all an appreciation for what the world holds for learning. The ties between the Alberta curriculum and the lessons were strong, evident, and most of all applicable to real life. She loved her outdoor days, came home often very tired, but still full of excitement about all of the connections and learning that took place. We had very meaningful conversations about what her day entailed.
This past summer she paused on a hike and said she would like to "Take in the moment and views." When we were on other walks the knowledge and connections she shared was amazing. I would not hesitate to recommend this program or way of learning.
My son just loves this program. This is a experience that he will never forget. This program is bringing his learning to Reality and learning hands on outside in the world. He’s gained a lot of self responsibility on what he needs to pack the night before and make sure he’s ready for the day. Also learning about the community and seeing it in there own eyes.I am very grateful for this program and I hope we do get this opportunity in our town for this program.
I absolutely love this program Mr Campbell has exceeded our expectations of this course and so grateful that my kids get to be a part of this
Our son LOVES his days outside! On the outdoor days, he actually gets up earlier, or stays up later to prepare for this. He seems much more organized and interested, and eager to prepare. He has become better at communicating with me, as parent, as to what he needs for each day, as well as his responsibilities academically. He said the hike at Sandy McNabb was the 'best day ever'. There are many noticeable changes to his learning this year, in that he is more interested. He is a very physical child outside of school, so I worried about this adding to his load, but it actually has had the opposite effect. I'm fully on board with this new method of learning.
Being outside allows for more communication between our son and his peers. It allows him to see his peers in a different way - maybe see their strengths that he would not see in a classroom setting.
We feel our daughter is much happier lately as well and seems to be able to stand up for herself when others are mean, which is a big step for her. We think the curriculum has been an amazing experience for her and just what she needed to be excited about school again. We have nothing negative to say about this program and really hope it is around for our other children.