The importance of place-based education.

“The future of environmental solutions ultimately rests with students. Today’s students will shape the world of tomorrow. More then ever, it is vitally important that our education system not only prepare students academically but also provide them with the skills, perspectives, and practices they will need to meet the social and environmental challenges of the future.”

- Acting today, Shaping tomorrow (Ministry of Education, 2009)

It was one of those rare beautiful winter day. A fresh layer of soft fluffy, untouched snow on the ground, cloudless, beautiful blue sky, sun light bright and uncharacteristically warm for Canadian December.

Mr P under pressure to finish the curriculum for his grade 3s, EQAOs looming. He really needed to finish this task by yesterday but instead, he grabbed his jacket and announced, “You know what it’s very rare we get days like this so, We will be going out for a bit.”

The student booted and suited up. Excitement and curiosity rose. They did not go wild. They just went out side. They ran, they touched, they felt. Some tried their attempt to make the largest snowman than gave up to make the largest snow caterpillar. Others made snow angels. Other created their own fort in the snow. Their finger tips went numb under the insulated gloved, they noses turned blue and their smiles grew. “going out for a BIT” turned into 2 periods.

Where was the curriculum connections? How was this preparing them for the EQAOs?

It wasn’t! It prepared them for life.

As a new teacher candidate, I saw first hand how Mr P taught students through place-based pedagogies without a care for the curriculum. He taught me it wasn’t our jobs as teachers to teach students to pass the tests but to succeed in life. We did that by teaching our children to become responsible citizens. He did this by taking children to their ‘place’ letting them connect to their sence of place, creating a love for the environment.

I still look back to that day and think how when these 8/9 year old grow up to be adults and leave schools, they won’t remember the addition stratifies or angles in a square but will always remember that day that Mr P took them out to play. They may not have learnt anything from the textbooks out there. They may not have ticked off any specific expectations. But what they learnt that day in the snowy field would create a lasting love and care for their environment. “When students are engaged in their learning and social environment, they are better able to develop the skills and knowledge and grasp the opportunities that can help them reach their full potential, pursue lifelong learning, and contribute to a prosperous, cohesive society. As we move forward with our education agenda, we will bring new energy to our efforts to foster student engagement, both academic and social. ” (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2008). The memory of that day in the snow will make them aware and responsible adult who “think critically, feel deeply, and act wisely with respect to the environment” (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2008)

In an age where adults are destroying and polluting the world all around. I think of that day, that teacher who taught the next generation to become ecologically responsible adults without teaching a thing. I think of that day and I am reassured that because of Mr P future of our world are in safe hands.

Thank you Mr P

#Environment #fp1