Embedded Files
Vision Statement
Vision Statement
This pilot plans to save humanity's connection to nature, by making outdoor learning accessible to all students and educators. We believe in supporting the highest levels of student achievement through the purposeful connection of Ontario curriculum to outdoor learning.
This pilot plans to save humanity's connection to nature, by making outdoor learning accessible to all students and educators. We believe in supporting the highest levels of student achievement through the purposeful connection of Ontario curriculum to outdoor learning.
The main objectives of this SCDSB Outdoor Learning site are to:
The main objectives of this SCDSB Outdoor Learning site are to:
- articulate the value of Outdoor Learning within the public education system;
- alignment with the SCDSB 2017-2022 Strategic Plan > focus on Well-Being & Excellence in Teaching & Learning
- reflect upon the work done by the SCDSB 2016/17 Outdoor Learning Pilot team;
- provide supports to help educators bring inquiry and the Ontario Curriculum
- bring educators and lead learners together to help bridge these gaps;
- learn from each other’s experiences;
- share lessons with our learning community, and together create educational resources for teachers and students.
Who We Are
Who We Are
We are a community of learners creating authentic, trans-disciplinary educational opportunities in the out of doors to support deep learning and the development of 21st century competencies.
We are a community of learners creating authentic, trans-disciplinary educational opportunities in the out of doors to support deep learning and the development of 21st century competencies.
We are trying to understand how the nature of knowledge
We are trying to understand how the nature of knowledge
can align more readily with a knowledge of nature.
can align more readily with a knowledge of nature.
What We Know
What We Know
"...the necessity of ensuring that young people become environmentally active and responsible citizens. Students need to have the knowledge and skills that will enable them to understand and deal with complex issues that affect the environment now and in the future. For example, students need to develop skills in problem solving, inquiry, decision making, action planning, higher-level thinking, systems thinking, and critical literacy. They also need to be able to identify issues and perspectives, carry out research, and communicate their ideas in meaningful ways."
~Environmental Education, Grades 1–8, and The Kindergarten Program: Scope and Sequence of Expectations, 2017
How We Are Different
How We Are Different
- We believe that Outdoor Learning should be accessible to all students, regardless of location, or demographic.
- What we do is directly connected to supporting student achievement and well-being by learning and connecting to the Ontario Curriculum through nature and natural inquiry. Our work aligns with system priorities at a school, board and provincial level.
- We are a community of learners who are interested in developing professional learning networks with both internal and external agencies to support getting students outdoors for learning.
- We believe that outdoor learning does not need to involve a field trip. Intimacy of place and an awareness of your natural world in and around your immediate local community is critical to making a connection with nature.
- We recognize that regular interaction with the outdoors is important and key to shifting practice and becoming a community of learners.
Our Story of Innovation in Learning
Our Story of Innovation in Learning
- Research Used to Inform and Inspire the Problem of Practice and Identified Needs.
- Research Design, Project Implementation and Monitoring
- IMPACT
- “Scaling Up” Potential
Professional development is not professional learning unless it changes the way you think and behave. Real professional learning needs to create push back and challenge for one another; dissonance and discomfort for EVERYONE to work through.
Professional development is not professional learning unless it changes the way you think and behave. Real professional learning needs to create push back and challenge for one another; dissonance and discomfort for EVERYONE to work through.
~ Dack and Katz, 2014
In the News...
In the News...
This Site is Under Construction!
This Site is Under Construction!
Like all learning, this site is a work in progress. Visit back regularly for updates. Check out the IDEA BANK and Additional Resources for ready to use next steps in your classroom.
Like all learning, this site is a work in progress. Visit back regularly for updates. Check out the IDEA BANK and Additional Resources for ready to use next steps in your classroom.
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