Our staff have been engaging in professional learning with SD38 Teacher Consultants around Connection to our Place, and Place Consciousness.  With our students we explore the land around Blair through Outdoor Learning experiences and draw personal connections to our local ecosystem.  We understand that we are all integral to the ultimate success of our Ecosystem, and that we each have a relationship with the land and a role to play.

We invited students to explore the surrounding school yard in multi-aged groupings and consider: “how do I connect to special places on this land?”  Students revisited their memories, feelings, and experiences with specific places on our school grounds. 

Students took a picture of themselves interacting with that special place.  They then were invited to orally share their personal story about their special place.

Finally, students wrote a short piece describing their connection to their special place.  They focused on including important vocabulary in their writing.  They also practised writing with a specific purpose to highlight their personal voice and share their personal story to an audience. 

Through student reflections, the experience of connecting with our Place, selecting a “special place” with personal connection, and sharing this personal story orally and through writing was a meaningful and powerful experience.  Our students were able to celebrate part of their identity and share to an audience in a safe and accessible way.