Incorporating Place-Based Learning in Remote Social Studies Education
Why Place-Based Learning?
Place-based learning grounds education into the communities and neighbourhoods of students. Learning takes place and relates directly to places that have meaning and significance to student's lives. Place-based and community education are also key components of the First Peoples Principles of Learning. Now, more than ever, students need to feel connected to where they live, work, learn, and play — even if they are learning online.
Most of these lessons were created with online learning in mind, so the ‘workload’ may seem less than what we would expect in traditional classrooms. They are also individual lessons meant to introduce geographic thinking, but they can be combined or rearranged to suit your needs. Most of the lessons do not require students to use devices for extended periods of time.
Explore the various lessons by clicking the links below!
This lesson involves students exploring their neighbourhoods, making observations, and reflecting on what they saw. It can be modified for multiple grade levels and learning objectives. It is a good way to introduce students to geographic thinking.
This lesson is modified for remote education.
Students will explore the concepts of space, place and storied landscapes in this lesson. They will choose a place of significance to them and create a final product that demonstrates their understanding of the above concepts. This may be suited for a higher grade level as some of the concepts are abstract.
This lesson is modified for remote education.
In this lesson, students have the opportunity to once again explore their neighbourhoods. This time, they will discuss not only their observations, but choose one thing they can improve or add to the neighbourhood to make it more equitable, accessible or useful for everyone.
This lesson is modified for remote education.
This lesson was created during my short practicum in November 2019. It explores colonialism, neocolonialism, and resistance through the lens of Senakw, a Squamish reservation located by Vanier Park in Vancouver.
This lesson has not been modified for remote education.