We are well into our exciting new program, A
Year For Nature, where students and staff are connecting their learning to the
natural world in all subject areas. We view A Year For Nature as a learning
journey. I would like to share with you three stories that help describe our
journey so far.
At the beginning of the year, we decided that
we needed to explore the educational opportunities at Elliston Park, just 800m
from our school. One of our teachers took some pictures of the park to share
with the students. The children were excited to visit the park, but very
concerned about the amount of garbage they found there learning that it was
left from Global Fest. Students wanted help, and while another group has cleaned
up the mess at Elliston Park, they incorporated the cleanup of two parks in
Penbrooke on their walking trip to Elliston. Now, the Grade 6 students are investigating
connections to nature right here in Penbrooke and Applewood.
The Grade 4’s have also begun a journey with
nature. They have learned about two amazing natural projects in New York City
where former train tracks and an old underground train station are being
converted into urban parks. Students are now thinking about what we could to bring
plants and natural life into our very own school building. Stay tuned to hear
more about their plans. The Grade 4s are studying the plants native to
Alberta’s regions and investigating what will grow well inside and outside of
our school. On their trip to Elliston Park, the Grade 4s also cleaned up some
of the green spaces in Penbrooke before beginning an investigation of native
plant species at the park.
Our Grade 5s are learning about connections
between nature and art. Chilly weather cut their trip to Elliston Park short,
but they look forward to future opportunities to create art in natural
settings. They are going far beyond simple drawings and painting. The Grade 5s
are learning about the math that quietly underlies all of nature from the simplest
flower blossom to a snail’s shell.