Learning Goals – Kootenay Boundary Environmental Education

What is your overall learning goal for taking your learning outside?

Here is a summary of what teachers in Southeast BC said:

I would like my students to build a connection with nature so they feel motivated to respect it and protect it.
To cover a wide variety of the curriculum for my multi grade students in a fun and engaging way.
We are going outside to foster our connection to our place, improve our physical and mental well-being, and support all learners to meet their potential.
To help my students appreciate the benefits form learning outside. I would like to see them more engaged with their learning and connect that learning and the students to the environments.
Grow a love a appreciation for our world. Make connections. Be curious, explore, listen, notice, wonder.
Appreciation of the natural world and application of curricular skills and concepts.
I want to allow for some effective social-emotional learning using outdoor environments, as well to foster a sense of belonging and community in my students.
Overall goal is for students to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy learning outdoors.
Learning about ecosystems and their interconnectedness. Feeling connected to nature and learning basic survival skills.
Expose students to real experiences and a variety of learning strategies in the natural environment that surrounds our school and community.
To help students connect to the outdoors and recognize the value of nature literacy.
Connection to the area that they live in as well as a sense of belonging in the community.
Develop an understanding that being outdoors brings a sense of peace and tranquility and is very necessary for our overall health.
To explore the natural surroundings of our local community and inspire curiosity about nature and an enjoyment for being outdoors in all seasons.
Increase students awareness and appreciation of their natural world.
Help students make connections between self-regulation and natural environment.
Finding ways to weave a love of the outdoors, all subjects, and an opportunity for students to be more active in their day.
To connect with place, to become a steward of their local environment first and then to take that through their lives.
We will observe our local park to see how the seasons change and also we will be gardening outdoors in the spring!
Helping students build a respect for nature.
To allow children to explore personal connections to nature in order to deepen a sense of well-being in outdoor spaces.
Connection to nature and care for the environment.
Appreciating what outside brings to an individual-calm, peaceful, fresh, curiosity, play, learning.
Our campus has several students with social anxiety and trauma-induced anxiety. Being in the community and out of the relative safe space of the school builds emotional stamina in our students. Ultimately, we want them to make connections with their community in order to make them feel more comfortable and confident.
Integrating place-conscious pedagogy into a primary classroom.
This year I will continue with Tuesday Trail Day. Some of the learning goals will be centered around science curricular competencies and content.
We are working to help students understand that they can learn outside. Right now they have recess syndrome and just think outside is for playing. We are working to shift that!
Getting connected to nature. Looking at patterns in nature i.e seasons, patterns in the sky, patterns in numbers, exploring the wetland.
Exploring our surroundings, inspiring creativity, importance of respecting our environment, regulating our emotions.
To gain an appreciation and respect for the outdoors; to be surprised and grateful for teachable moments that may not usually occur inside the classroom walls.
My students love going outside, they have more space to move in and to explore, it relaxes everyone.
Learn more about nature through free play, exploration and investigations.
Connecting students to nature and allowing them to explore and engage in an inquiry process in connection to curricular learning outcomes.
Connecting our learning to the world around us. Inspiring kids to explore, love and know their natural surroundings. Use French in real-world settings. I am learning to follow the Coyote Mentor model.
Experience nature! Touch, smell, hear the beautiful community we live in 💕
To give students a new way to apply their learning and knowledge to the world around them. To give them a chance to explore and ask questions.
To connect students and their learning with their local community/environment and to nurture an appreciation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
To connect the children to the natural world and foster a deep sense of stewardship.
Our learning goal this year is to head outside for one morning each week, all year long. My hope is that students become comfortable and familiar with learning outdoors, as opposed to it being a special “event” that happens only every now and then. My goal for students is that they learn to identify local plants and animals, as well as become familiar with biodiversity in their local environment. I also want them to spend time in nature for health benefits and overall well-being, as well as working on more “traditional” learning (reading, writing, math) in a natural setting. My hope is that this will help to make their learning experiences more authentic.
I take my students outside once a week to build community, work on our core competencies, to spark inquiry, and to offer meaningful opportunities for learning.
To build students’ capacity for recognizing the relevancy of cross-curricular concepts in their surrounding environment and community
The overall learning goals are to improve physical fitness, remove barriers to going outside, and facilitate a connection to nature.
To appreciate and respect nature and the world around us.
Learning outside is a powerful opportunity to engage young learners. It is an exciting way to meet many of the learning outcomes as outlined in the curriculum. It not only helps children with self regulation but it also helps children to develop an appreciation for nature.
To build the children’s physical strength and connect them to the natural world.
To instill and appreciation and enjoyment of the natural environment.
Strengthening fine and cross motor skills while developing an awareness of community and the natural world.
Giving student an opportunity to be outside in general. I also believe it supports all the criteria for students to learn better when having access to run play jump etc outside.
To connect kids to their ‘place’ so that they will take care of it and foster a desire to protect the environment as they grow up.
To connect kids with the natural world, while helping them to develop healthy bodies and minds.
Making their learning more real, and more connected to our local place.
Environmental education: identification of local flora and fauna, habitat, and learning about reducing ecological impact.
My overall learning goal for taking learning outside is to connect students to the place that we live and strengthen that connection. As the Indigenous support for the school I feel that it is fundamental in all students learning to understand the importance of acknowledging our place that we live as well as any place they may go on their journey. Its not that we only care and respect the land in which we live, we want to instill that connection in that we respect and care for all lands where all people live.
By exposing students to the outdoors, they gain a deeper appreciation for nature and will hopefully go on to become great leaders in stewardship of our environment.
To have students explore and play more outside. I have a bunch of outdoor exploration things (containers for bugs, magnify glasses, tweezers…)
I can’t wait to take my class outside! We are committed to building a relationship with place and experiencing hands on learning. We will participate in risky and unstructured play which will ignite creativity and curiosity while using a personal field note journal through all the seasons. With the wonders of my grade 3 students, learning outdoors can take us anywhere!
I take my class outdoors weekly to support my math, science and social studies curriculum. My goal is to show curriculum in an applied context.
To provide our students with regular and repeated access to a natural space for child-directed, emergent and inquiry-based learning. Their experiences are rooted in the idea of learning about the local forest environment, its’ features and local wildlife. Students will be guided both individually, and collaboratively to form questions for inquiry in the classroom based on their imaginative play, loose parts and tools, as well as provocations created by the educators. Students will feel connected to the sites and act as environmental stewards within the sites.
Science education, trees, animals, environment, seasons, & weather.
Native species plant, connection with nature, Science concepts taught in an outdoor classroom, school garden planting and harvest, greenhouse care.
A great connected appreciation for nature and self.
Place-based learning, relaying the curriculum to student realities.
To broaden their knowledge and appreciation for the outdoors and to increase their physical activity and awareness of our own environment .
Experience the real world, explore through senses, collaboration with peers, enjoyment and natural learning of academic through kinesthetic.
Curriculum based inquiry learning in a real world discovery model.
I have a carpentry Joinery class. We will be designing an outdoor education space for our school.
I’m an outdoor educator and guide and passionate about nature and inspiring students. Nature and the outdoors I discovered as a teen and it sent my life in a great outdoor direction.
To allow children to have a wildhood, and to reconnect them to their place, their nature place. To help them develop a strong connection with nature so I can then foster that connection in the classroom and ultimately an outside learning environment.
Students connect with and learn from their natural world so that they have a better understanding of the place they live.
The goal will be to foster an appreciation for the outdoors as both a learning and pleasurable venue by using the outdoors as an extension of the classroom. Each time we go outside there will be several components to the lesson that will reach across the curriculum.
Use our school forest for more traditional learning activities in addition to free outside play.
Connect my students to their community through place-based, place-conscious experiences for deeper understanding of their own identity and how it relates to our surroundings.
Continue to grow their connections with nature, each other, their learning, and our community.
To build an appreciation for nature and an understanding of how the local First Nations utilized natural resources.
For my students to develop a deeper connection to, appreciation and sense of stewardship for place where they live and play.
To have students become more aware of what/who’s in their environment and the benefits and responsibilities that come from being in nature.
Connecting with nature, exercise and self-regulation.
I hope to engage students in learning outside of the 4 walls of our classroom. I hope to encourage them to become life long learners and learn from the environment they are in. I believe it’s also important for students to be up and moving while learning. Engaging in hands on activities, in unpredictable weather and conditions, will have students become active problem solvers, critical thinkers and enthusiastic about their learning.
To learn about our local environment and appreciate all it has to offer.
To have fun in the outdoors no matter the weather.
To see all the cross curricular opportunities that there are outside.
To learn about seasonal changes and patterns, animals, environmental learning, art education, observations skills and nature appreciation.
To enhance learning and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us and all the learning it has to offer.
To increase our connection to place and our knowledge of the outside world.
I want to develop on my theme of Global Empathy by the students gaining an appreciation and gratitude for the place in which they live. I also want to focus on learning math outside.
I would love to incorporate more place based learning in our curriculum. I think one of the best ways to do this is hands on learning in the outdoors.
I want to engage and encourage students to be curious about our natural environment and comfortable being outdoors. I want them to be explorers and naturalists and scientist and to be just plain excited to be outdoors! I also want them to discover the many connections of outdoors to our curriculum an dhow e can bring that learning indoors.
To create connections between children and nature (leading to future sustainability connections), as well as children and their learning in real, experiential, and meaningful ways.
To enrich the curriculum with hands-on, experience and place based learning that engages my students and provides lasting connection and passion for the outdoors.
To be outside once a week at least and to taking our language, math and science learning outside.
To have the students learn in a natural setting, and to build an understanding and appreciation for our local environment…and to get everyone moving and outside.
To develop an understanding and appreciation for the dynamic relationship between community and the environment.
Incorporating place-based learning into Photography 12.
Achieving the same learning goals in an outdoor setting.
Understanding the natural surroundings we are so fortunate to have.
We are learning about the Columbia River Headwaters and it’s ecological and cultural importance to the Columbia Valley.
Meet the curricular and core competency needs of students. Learning about local plants and animals, their adaptations and habitats. Being active.
To teach students about nature and the wonderful area we live in. Also to explore our learning outside of the classroom.
Students will have meaningful and memorable learning experiences outside and learn how to use their senses to observe and engage with their environment.
To build on our connections with the Ktunaxa culture.
I am in supporting role and my portfolio involves English Language Arts Learning. I may work alongside teachers who are asking how to make their outdoor learning a literacy based experience.
To encourage and foster students’ love for the environment that surrounds them and to give them the tools and confidence to become stewards to protect it.
Enhancing all my learning goals with memorable hands on experiences.
My key word is connection: connection to nature, connection to place, connection to curricular areas while learning outside, connection to each other and connection to self.
My goal is to provide my students with as many opportunities as possible to connect with, be inspired by, and to learn from the natural environment that surrounds them. If children have a meaningful connection with the natural world, then they are more likely in the future to live and act in ways that will sustain our environment.
That learning can and does take place in many setting throughout the day and in different ways. Not always in a classroom with lessons from a teacher. A secondary goal is to disconnect from technology, learn to self-regulate in an alternate setting, and connect socially face-to-face.
Encourage stewardship and connect students with nature through experiential learning.
To foster a closer bond with nature so that children have genuine commitment to stewardship.
Connecting to the place around us, appreciation for the place we live, learning that they can relate to the real world.
This year I am working on all curriculum areas outside the classroom. I am going outside twice a week and will be covering math and language arts goals outdoors.
For students to feel more connected to their learning, noticing the relevance while building their sense of place.
learning all curriculum using the outdoors.
Gr 8 Careers: Building Community Connections, participating in activities that improve our critical and creative thinking skills.
Gr 9 Outdoor Ed: Developing connections with our outdoor community through a variety of activities that explore our natural environments.
Grade 10 Careers: Building Community Connections with a reflection on potential careers in our community and their roles in our community, and peoples careers journey stories.
Related to our 4/5 science curriculum (specifically, plants and biomes), I would like to take my students out with our school adventure backpacks and familiarize and become more confident with the nature around them.
I find that by taking students outside, it is far easier to engage them in interesting topics that can be formed from their experiences.
Demonstrating that one does not have to be in a classroom to teach ‘the basics’ by practicing experiential learning.
To connect our learning to our community’s natural and urban surroundings and community members.
For students to learn how to understand and respect nature. Outdoor environments offer space and a way to learn through active movement. Learning outside helps develop a love for the outdoors and nature. The power of exploring is benefiting for a growing mind.
Develop leadership skills in a variety of environments; Develop awareness of local places; Develop social responsibility and critical thinking skills outdoors.
My goal is to show an active lifestyle outside by increasing heart rate and giving students the opportunity to take risks with their learning and problem solve.
Connecting with natural roots of learning!
I want my students to feel a connection with their local community and nurture an appreciation of the natural world.
My goal is to develop deeper confidence taking my class into the wilderness while simultaneously incorporating the new curriculum.
For students to experience, question, and love the wonder of the outdoors.
Experiential learning! Increasing knowledge skills and attitude to safely and confidently adventure in the natural environment.
Connecting with the exploratory parts of the curriculum in Grades K-7.
To increase awareness for environmental stewardship.
To get students outside as much as possible and engage in learning about the environment around them.
Building resiliency, connecting students to our community and local opportunities, physical education, and relationship building.
To nurture awareness, appreciation, and stewardship for the environment.
To cultivate awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and concern for the natural environment and the effect of people’s actions upon it.
To encourage physical fitness and a love for the outdoors.
Understanding of local Secwepemc and Ktunaxa history, language and culture.
To help students connect with their community and their environment through the curriculum, so that they may take larger and more mindful steps in caring for both and ensuring the health of our future.
Enjoy the outdoors, connect to indigenous principles of learning.
learning new activities that engage all learners in an organized but inquiry based manner.
To engage students in appreciating our natural world and to promote inquiry questions when we are outside.
That being outdoors becomes a natural part of our routine and that children develop a closer bond with the natural world.
To enhance their knowledge of local flora and fawna, outdoor safety and connect the curriculum to the outdoors. Also safe and creative play.
To teach mindfulness while outdoors gaining hands-on experiences outdoors, and learning more about our connections to our local community
Connect children to nature to promote mental, physical, and emotional well being and encourage a love and appreciation for the environment.
To build student local knowledge and engage them to want to be outside and lifelong adventurists.
Getting students connected to the land and their environment. Teaching about the flaura and fauna, safety, survival skills, and teaching my regular class lessons outside.
Exposure, enhancement, engagement and environmental stewardship.
I want to connect our French language instruction to current topics relevant to climate change, sustainability and ecology.
We graph the creek depth weekly, rain or snow or shine, for our year long science 7 data project.
At the end, the students have built a relationship with the place, and are able to connect the traditional indigenous way of knowing (through relationship with place) and see the difference between that and a data gathering approach, because they end up doing both.
One of my learning goals for this year is to immerse my students in outdoor learning so they can learn about interconnectedness and an appreciation for what is outside the classroom. Caring about the environment is key to the learning process. We are fortunate to be within walking distance of creeks, a pond and wetlands. This year I have committed to taking my students outside every Thursday afternoon.
Foster an appreciation for the outdoors and the local places around us, break up the school day for our students (and myself) and make school more engaging.
Students making stronger connections to their learning and being physically active.
Connection to nature helps people learn, helps with anxiety and gets people moving!
To have the students make a deeper connection to the outdoors in our community.
To inspire the wonder questions and help build understanding of place.
Bring physical geography lessons to life, have students develop a healthy connection to the environment, build active lifestyle habits and skills
Building belonging amongst our 21 Totem Teams (mixed of Grades K-6) in outdoor story-telling and cooperation games!
Enjoying our beautiful community, learning about specific elements that we need to protect and focusing on health and wellness.
Appreciation and understanding of place but more importantly is the education of those at the board office level. Ease of speaking to the importance and support for our school communities in taking kids outside for learning.
Connect to community and nature.
We go outside every day for 45 minutes to play and observe the season and practice social skills and learning. We also go out once or twice a week for a walk and to do some kind of outdoor learning – colours, size, journals, math activities, gardening, etc.
Improving Mental Health by being active outdoors.
Science, social emotional, Ktunaxa/social studies, physical literacy, language arts – we write outside, art….
Place conscious learning. Understanding for the natural environment of the area. Understanding of the traditional use of the land by the Ktunaxa people.
To understand how everything is connected and in a continuous cycle.
To have a class that is excited and prepared to go outside in a weather and to create a strong level of comfort in being in and exploring our Wild Space.
In a nutshell: Connecting kids with nature through their learning (learning environment, curriculum). It’s impossible to demand children to care about nature if they have no connection to it.
To expose my students to the beauty and wonder of Sparwood! To appreciate where they live and to foster a deep connection to nature.
We head outside for Environmental Education and Place Based Learning every Tuesday afternoon. This supports the First People’s Principles of Learning – learning ultimately supports the well being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
We will be going for a mature walk every Tuesday afternoon. My goal is to explore, create, and build relationships while in nature!!
Connecting students to place. Bringing awareness to the relationships they are a part of and the influence they play in the story of our local environment.
Allow students time to experience their local environment and community.
Connecting the curriculum to our local community and ecosystems.
Comfort with surroundings and general learning outdoors.
Making kids aware of their surroundings; getting to know their local environment, being curious and engaged about our surroundings; appreciating the outdoors.
Nature appreciation, physical fitness and environmental impact of humans on their surroundings.
For students to connect with nature and to increase their desire to protect it.
Exploring, questioning and learning about place from the place.
My goal is to have students learn while surrounded by nature. I want them to be able to utilize the resources available to them outside.
I would like to have an outdoor afternoon every week for them to have more of a free play exploration (with light guidance) and another morning with our Big Buddies to have more programmed events.
Physical activity and being in nature, support self regulation.
Natural history knowledge and an appreciation for the beauty and diversity of life. Plus it’s fun.
To promote awareness and a love of the local environment and to encourage students to get outside more.
My goal is to go beyond my 1/2 weekly walks plus other outdoor experiences to full days at least once a month at another location. I want my kids to connect with nature, see changes over time, and play and learn in natural environments.