Outdoor Learning: Sparks and Support to Get Started!

Middle School (Gr 6-8)

A project of:

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Catherine Everett (Gr 7 Peel DSB)

catherine.everett@peelsb.com teachinginthedeep@gmail.com

Insta @teachinginthedeep Twitter @deep teaching

Ingrid Tamkin (ICOM, Peel DSB) ingrid.tamkin@peelsb.com

Twitter @ingtamkin

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#SafeSeptemberOutside

@LSF.LST.ca

@LSF_LST

@LSF_LST

www.LSF-LST.ca

Land Acknowledgment

We recognize that many Indigenous nations have long standing relationships with the territories upon which the Learning for a Sustainable Future organization works. Learning for a Sustainable Future and York University acknowledge their presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat, and the Métis. It is now home to many Indigenous Peoples. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.

Tkaronto is built on sacred land that is part of an agreement between Indigenous peoples and then extended to allied nations to peacefully and respectfully care for it. By personally making a land acknowledgement you are taking part in an act of reconciliation, honouring the land and Indigenous heritage, which dates back over 10 000 years.

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Dancing with Systems by Donella Meadows

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1. Get the beat.
2. Listen to the wisdom of the system.
3. Expose your mental models to the open air.
4. Stay humble. Stay a learner.
5. Honor and protect information.
6. Locate responsibility in the system.
7. Make feedback policies for feedback systems.
8. Pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable.
9. Go for the good of the whole.
10. Expand time horizons.
11. Expand thought horizons.
12. Expand the boundary of caring.
13. Celebrate complexity.
14. Hold fast to the goal of goodness.

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What key words here are resonating for you especially considering the ‘new realities’ of 2020 teaching?...but more importantly, what wisdom here might inspire transformation, flexibility, a sustainable way forward??

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Overview

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Land Acknowledgement

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Introductions, Protocols and Welcome to Our Virtual Space

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Moving from Learning in the Outdoors to Outdoor Learning

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Re-connecting Students to the Land and Each Other- Sustainable Well-being

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Collaborative Rethinking/Revisioning Traditional Indoor Activities (Jamboard)

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Knowledge Building Circle (virtual discussion & Jamboard notes)

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Helpful Resources and Reflecting (via Flipgrid)

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Catherine Everett

-currently Gr 7 teacher @ Morning Star Middle School in the Arts and Tech program (Peel DSB)

-Kindergarten @ Marvin Heights PS for 5 years in Reggio-inspired, nature-connected, play and inquiry focused program…

-current Masters of Ed student in the Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation program with a research focus on sustainable happiness, Living Schools joyful learning, and holistic pedagogy

-garden geek, taiko player, super nerd

-passionate about reducing impact on Earth since middle school! (won’t tell you which decade that was :-)) - my 6th grade science fair project was all about reducing greenhouse gases and 7th grade project about waste reduction

#SafeSeptemberOutside

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Ingrid Tamkin

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- currently Gr 6/7 Intermediate Communications teacher @ Morning Star Middle School (Peel DSB)

-ISSP and Grade 4 @ Marvin Heights PS for 5 years in Environmental Sustainability Inquiry focused program

-Graduate of the Bronte Creek Program (Halton DSB) 6 months intensive outdoor and environmental leadership program

-garden geek, social justice warrior

-drinking coffee in my garden with a book in the cool of early mornings is my happy place

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@LSF_LST

Norms of our Collaboration today…

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1. Promote a spirit of inquiry ie) “I’d like to know more about…”
2. Pausing to give yourself think time… feel free to park ideas/ reactions/ questions in the chat and we will try to get back to them!
3. Probing for specifics- Ask questions as you need!
4. Put ideas onto the table with us during our activities and discussions… remember none of us have taught in a pandemic before!!
5. Pay attention to yourself and others… words, feelings, reactions
6. Presume positive intentions … we are all learning together :-)

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*Video participation is totally optional. If your audio is limited, feel free to join into discussions via chat.

*Please keep yourself muted unless you have a question.

*We will try to use non-verbal feedback buttons like these =>

to try and keep the beginning of our presentation moving.

*If you need to step away for a body break, go for it!

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#SafeSeptemberOutside

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Who is with us today?

(Name, where from, and a fun outdoor childhood memory/interest)

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Menti Quiz -

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https://www.menti.com/ufkpg9eg32

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Why Outdoors?

Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health (and also, by the way, in our own). ~ Richard Louv

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Imagination and curiosity don’t require any health and safety protocols!

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Practicalities to consider:

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1. Walking trip permission forms (school/board/class?) should be top priority for 1st week of school!
2. Early communication with families around increased outdoor learning
3. COLD and WET weather gear and protocols… it can be done!
4. Building routines (meeting spot/signals/expectations)
5. Equipment (needs vs wants/comforts)

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See Into Nature guide from R4R.ca or COEO Outdoor Learning tips for great checklists and templates!

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Tips, Tricks and Materials

1. Sit upons/Sit Spots (small, waterproof and easy to clean for sitting on the ground outside) Learn How to Make a Sit-Upon
2. Golf pencils/clipboards/whiteboards -plastic or laminate to protect paper
3. Magnifying glasses/Devices -phones with cameras and ipads to take pictures and do research, bring out milk crates with materials
4. Outdoor Best Practices -Talk to the students from the middle of the line with their back to the sun, ‘Circle Up’ in a big space ,reflection/sharing time (“How did it go for you?)
5. Flexibility -accommodate other interests of students -involve students
6. Structuring the day -Begin the day outside -when the bell rings, go to your meeting place instead of going in (they are already dressed and ready!) Or...after recess, at end of day before the bell

#SafeSeptemberOutside

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Reconnecting Students to the Land and Each Other

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Compassion over Content

Sustainability is well-being for all, forever!

Hopkins, C. (2013) Educating for Sustainability: An emerging purpose of education, Kappa Delta Pi Record, 49

Fostering a deep sense of care and compassion for others and Nature is grounded in compassion for oneself and this applies to both students and educators. Self-compassion is associated with emotional resilience and considering the mental health challenges [exacerbated by COVID-19] that many staff and students face, a focus on self-compassion warrants attention for promoting healthy school environments.

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Catherine O’Brien & Patrick Howard, (2020) Living Schools: Transforming Education, ESWB Press [unpublished]

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Inclusion is a basic human need, and unless it is met people feel vulnerable and defensive… Time spent up front, building inclusion and trust is the most valuable commitment a group can make.

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Jeanne Gibbs (2001). Discovering gifts in middle school. Centre Source Systems.

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Keep in Mind that Outdoor Learning is not new!

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***Land-based learning in Indigenous cultures***

-Froebel’s Kindergarten movement

-John Dewey’s “Progressive School”, included community gardens and real-world natural experiences

-Toronto Forest Schools in the early 1900s (during TB, flu pandemics)

-mid-century European “Outdoor Schools” or “Fresh Air Schools”

-Outdoor Education Centres in Canada (1970s)

-Frilufstliv- Nordic outdoor learning practices

-revival of Forest and Nature schools mid 2010s

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Systems Thinking

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How might we focus on well-being of students and staff in our changed learning landscapes?

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Figure 6: A Systems View of Learning. Reprinted from “Connecting the Dots” by S. Kozak and S. Elliot, 2014., Retrieved from http://www.lsf-lst.ca/media/LSF_Connecting_the_Dots_full_EN_web.pdf.

Well-being (sustainability for all)

Something to consider…..

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How might we spark a sense of WONDER and CONNECTION to the natural world with our technology-addicted middle years students?

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#SafeSeptemberOutside

@LSF_LST

Rethinking Typical Middle and High School Inquiries, Projects and Environments

• Keep in mind that the Environment is the 3rd teacher ! Engage senses, develop belonging...by considering nature as a teacher
• Focus on the learners, their lived experiences, strengths, needs, interests and follow them!
• Be creative and DREAM BIG!
• Cultivate citizenship, service and ACTION

Let’s collaborate on Jamboard!

CLICK HERE!

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Web Resources!

PD!

Books!

Free from R4R.ca

Institutes for teachers and students through LSF

Not free, but chock-full of ideas

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Resources for Rethinking database - www.R4R.ca

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Professional Development - www.LSF-LST.ca/institutes

Youth Empowerment - www.OurCanadaProject.ca

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R4R is a free online database where educators can search for high-quality, teacher-reviewed, curriculum-matched lesson plans, videos, children’s literature, outdoor activities and apps/games on issues related to sustainability & climate change

Interested in outdoor learning for COVID-19? Visit www.R4R.ca/en/outdoor-learning

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LSF’s climate change Institutes provide educators grades 7-12 with climate science content as well as strategies, tools and resources to foster understanding, inspire student engagement, and motivate action as engaged citizens in their communities. ​

Climate Change Youth Leadership Forums and Action Project Funding engage students in local climate change issues, equip them with the skills needed to take action, and empower them to make change in their communities.​

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Resources for Rethinking database - www.R4R.ca

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Intermediate-Friendly, Beginning the Year Appropriate Resources!

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1. Into Nature Outdoor Education Guide or https://www.coeo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Outdoor-Learning-Tips.pdf
2. Exploring a Special Wild Place
3. Developing Rights (could lead to class rights/responsibilities discussion)
4. Turning Learning into Action for the Global Goals
5. What World Do You Want In 2030?
6. Healthy Youth, Healthy Community
7. Tree Tour- creating digital guided tours of their schoolyard/neighbourhood

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A few books to check out:

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Dirty Teaching: A Beginner’s Guide to Learning Outdoors, Juliet Robertson

A Walking Curriculum: Evoking Wonder and Developing a Sense of Place, Gillian Judson

The Big Book of Nature Activities, Drew Monkman & Jacob Rodenburg�Natural Curiosity (2nd ed.): The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry, Doug Anderson, Julie Comay, and Lorraine Chiarotto

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#SafeSeptemberOutside

@LSF_LST

Check out some ideas for the first day/week of school that work really well in the outdoors. This is my (Cath’s) attempt to build set some routines, do a bit of formative assessment and actually have some FUN together as we reconnect. Notice building situpons is our first STEAM challenge!

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Click on the image and it should link you to a pdf larger version or here.

Nature Journals

Math with natural materials and looking for visual/numeric patterns, shapes, angles in the natural environment

STEM Challenges abound!

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https://flipgrid.com/7cdbbd9e

https://flipgrid.com/a307e9a1

Please take a moment to record a quick video response to our reflection questions on FLIPGRID. (Group Code: everett9891) Your feedback will help us tweak and fine tune our presentation… and figure out how else we might be able to support you on your journey!

#SafeSeptemberOutside

@LSF_LST

Thanks so much!

We appreciate that you took time out of your summer break to share this learning journey with us!

• Check LSF’s website for PD opportunities and resources!
• Keep in touch with us (Ingrid and Catherine) via email, Twitter, or Teaching in the Deep Facebook

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#SafeSeptemberOutside

@LSF_LST

@LSF.LST.ca

@LSF_LST

@LSF_LST

www.LSF-LST.ca

www.R4R.ca

Learning Inside Out

Step Outside

Outdoor Learning on R4R