Alberta Parks has teamed up with the Calgary Regional Consortium for the second year to offer multiple outdoor, land-based sessions that will inspire your teaching and support personal wellness. This year, three sessions are available at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, located at 13931 Woodpath Road, SW Calgary. Please note, teachers are encouraged to car pool as parking is limited. The sessions are offered twice (morning and afternoon) as described below:
1. Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside (am and pm)
2. Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades K-2 (am) / Gr 3-6 (pm)
3. Nature’s Path to Wellness – for you and your students.
Did you join us last year? Come again - there will be new ideas included! Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Simply chose two sessions (morning and afternoon) from the options below.
Morning Sessions (9:00-11:30 am)
Please choose 1 session (Maximum 25/session)
Session 1: Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside
Session 2: Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades K-2
Session 3: Nature’s Path to Wellness – for you and your students.
Afternoon Sessions (12:30 -3:00 pm)
Please choose 1 session (Maximum 25/session)
Session 1: Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside
Session 2: Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades 3-6
Session 3: Nature’s Path to Wellness – for you and your students.
Session Descriptions:
Session1: Take the New K-6 Science Curriculum Outside
Did you know that the word “land” shows up 845 times in a search on the new LearnAlberta website of all subjects within the Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum? It’s true! What better way to learn about and from the land than to spend a day of professional learning being inspired and activated at the Fish Creek Learning Center! This half day session will be offered in the morning from 9:00 – 11:30 and a REPEAT session will take place from 1:00 – 3:30 pm. While at the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, we will help answer your curriculum questions through engaging learning experiences that bring the learning to life. We’ll overview the new science curriculum and highlight possible learning outcomes you can take outside for each Organizing Idea. We will explore simple and practical ideas to help you get out of the classroom while promoting physical and mental wellness benefits for your students. Along the way, we’ll also consider opportunities to integrate other subjects like ELAL, Math and Visual Arts to make your outdoor learning experience more engaging, efficient and effective. If you’d like to help your students be more connected to the natural world this school year, then this session is for you.
Objectives for this Session:
• Honor the land on which we are learning and the Indigenous peoples who have cared for the land
• Develop a strong understanding of the K-6 Science Curriculum and consider ways to take the learning outdoors in meaningful, manageable ways
• Share stories and build community to connect us to the land
• Explore, walk and talk about pedagogy, learning outcomes and concepts that bolster our science confidence
• Play some outdoor games that connect to curricular objectives
Session 2 (am): Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades K-2
Join us for an inspiring journey into the outdoors, where literacy and numeracy come alive under the open sky! In this engaging workshop, we will equip kindergarten through grade 2 teachers with strategies and practical ideas to integrate literacy and numeracy with the curriculum into an outdoor learning environment. Come prepared to be active and involved in the experiences.
Session 2 (pm): Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Outdoors: A Multisensory Adventure for Grades 3-6
Join us for an inspiring journey into the outdoors, where literacy and numeracy come alive under the open sky! In this engaging workshop, we will equip grade 3 through grade 6 teachers with strategies and practical ideas to integrate literacy and numeracy with the curriculum into an outdoor learning environment. Come prepared to be active and involved in the experiences.
Session Highlights:
1. Nature's Classroom: Discover how the great outdoors can become your classroom as we explore the benefits of taking learning beyond the four walls. We will discuss the impact of outdoor learning on student engagement, creativity, and overall well-being.
2. Literacy in the Wild: Dive into strategies for fostering literacy skills outside, including nature-based storytelling, journaling, and vocabulary development. We'll show you how to utilize the natural world to inspire a love for reading and writing.
3. Math in Motion: Explore the endless mathematical possibilities in the outdoor setting. From counting natural objects to solving problems, we'll explore math concepts through hands-on activities that make numbers and shapes truly come alive.
Session 3: Nature’s Path to Wellness- for you and your students
Alberta’s Provincial Park System and the land provides a natural space to rejuvenate and to fuel your teaching practice. This session is dedicated to fostering personal wellness through nature-based activities, which you can also implement with your students to create a balanced, healthy learning environment. During this session, you'll explore:
• Sensory Exploration: Engage in exercises that heighten awareness of your surroundings through all five senses, enhancing mindfulness and presence.
• Reflective Practices: Participate in activities like nature journaling, guided meditation, and quiet contemplation to support mental well-being and emotional balance.
• Interactive Games: Participate in games that foster teamwork, communication, and stress relief, which can be easily adapted for classroom use.
• Storytelling: Experience the use of storytelling to connect more deeply with nature and promote mindfulness, creativity, and reflection.
Immerse yourself in these activities to rejuvenate your own well-being and gather tools to foster a wellness-centered learning environment.
This session has a participant fee of $10.50 for the day.
Pre-Registration Link
