EKOLogy Learning in Introducing Surrey School District's exciting new outdoor program - Surrey Schools

Learning in

Introducing Surrey School District’s
exciting new outdoor program

EKOLogy
(East Kensington Outdoor Learning) Program

Program Principles
• Our diverse outdoor classrooms will promote an
  integrated learning approach where traditional
  disciplines come alive through hands on learning
  experiences
• Environmental learning works best when integrated
  across the curriculum and it encourages targeted,
  relevant and meaningful approaches to learning

We believe that by facilitating authentic experiences in,
about, and for nature students develop a sense of
connection with community and place while promoting
advocacy and stewardship

Every day is Earth day

Learning in
What is an Outdoor Learning Program?
• A program that teaches children to wonder and explore
  through natural interactions in the environments around us
• A program where the children will spend a significant time
  outside, rain or shine!
• A program that celebrates different learning styles, and
  engages students in “I Wonder” inquiry-based activities
• A program that takes advantage of a multitude of ecological
  environments to teach the curricular Big Ideas and Core
  Competencies while at the same time, meeting all learning
  standards.

Learning in
What does the research say?
• Learning in the outdoors has significant educational
  advantages for children and the importance of connecting
  with nature is becoming increasingly prominent in research
  worldwide.
• Pro-environmental behaviour, especially in the early years,
  has been shown to have a causal relationship with
  connectivity with the natural environment.
• Place-based outdoor learning promotes a relationship with
  the natural environment and constructs deep
  environmental knowledge and understanding of the world
  that surrounds learners. ( Lloyd and Gray 2014)

Natural
                    Curiosity

                                which
which allows                    stimulates
learners to take                explorations
more risks and                  that allow
further develop                 learners to
their …                         make….
    Greater        which helps
   Confidence      learners make   Connections

                   sense of the
                   world and
                   lead to…

Learning in
Why embark on an Outdoor Learning Program?
Opportunity to:
• embed our Indigenous cultures and their knowledge
  into outdoor learning
• enable local knowledge and understanding to
  permeate throughout activities in explicit and
  experiential ways.
• foster a place-based pedagogy that recognises the
  importance of forming intimate relationships with
  place through regular visitations to the same outdoor
  environment.

Infusion of First
Peoples Principles
a natural fit while
learning in nature

Bring these
understandings into
   the everyday
     teachings

Learning in
Why embark on an Outdoor Learning Program?

• Opportunity to rethink the way teaching and learning
  occurs for today’s students.
• Take time to focus on learning outdoors, on making
  healthy choices, and on fostering a sustainable
  learning and living environment.

Learning in
Why embark on an Outdoor Learning Program?
Opportunity to:
• embrace the redesigned curriculum and teach in a
  way that focuses on Big Ideas
• teach in a multi-disciplinary approach, which is a more
  natural way to learn
• teach through inquiry, pursue passion projects and for
  children to naturally create and explore
• teach students how to make a difference for their
  environment both locally and globally

Program
• Aquatic systems
• Forest systems – venture through extensive trail
  networks to understand forest processes animal habitats
  and the human role in living with them
• Food systems – discover the source of food and learn
  how farm animals are all part of the human food web
• Ecosystems – experience and identity the
  interconnectedness of the natural world and build
  personal connections to the rich biodiversity of our site

https://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/slideshows/WSS%20
Slideshow.pdf

•   Forest studies
•   Pond studies
•   Bird studies
•   Farm studies
•   Orienteering
•   Survival in the wood
•   Art
•   Geocaching
•   Sustainable gardening
•   Cooperative challenges and initiative games
•   Earth day -
•   Caring for the earth

Learning in
Why East Kensington School Site?

• E Kensington school is a large rural property with a
  natural ravine and creek running alongside the school
  property
• Close proximity to Redwood Park, Brooksdale
  Environmental Centre, Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club,
  Campbell Valley Regional Park
• Optimal school site that can, with minor changes, adapt
  to outdoor learning – large classrooms, areas to
  accommodate outdoor clothing and resources

The Site – East Kensington Elementary
  First built in 1898
   (current building
   1924)
  Predominantly
   agricultural area
   including 0.4
   hectares of plantings
  Close to ecological
   areas and vibrant
   learning
   opportunities

Nature in the Neighbourhood… a few
examples
• Campbell Valley Regional Address: 20290 16
  Ave, Langley
• Redwood Park Address: 17900 20 Avenue,
  Surrey,
• A Rocha Address: 1620 192 St, Surrey

How to Apply?
• Students will enroll for East Kensington School via
  existing in-catchment and cross boundary policies.
• Registration into the program will be on a first come,
  first serve basis.
• As the program gains popularity, it may become
  necessary to either cap cohort sizes or to explore re-
  designating the program as a Choice Program.