With the intention of listening to the land and learning about self, this workshop weaves together literacy, drama, multiple learning styles, ecological awareness, art, mapping, and movement, thus enhancing overall well-being. Slowing pedagogy down, we foster a deep kinship with each other and with the land, awakening an awareness of the world in which we […]
Nature-based physical activity can offer an accessible and alternative teaching strategy to enable educators in K-12 schools to teach children and youth outside on a regular basis. Nature-based physical activity is defined as physical activities that are done in natural spaces, require little specialized equipment, can be participated in by most youth, are cost-efficient, have […]
Breaking free of the walls which confine us can lead us in to nature, a space where we can heal, learn, and reconnect with ourselves and each other. The National Healing Forest Initiative founded by Patricia Stirbys, a Cowessess First Nation Lawyer, and Peter Croal, a Geological Consultant, after the findings of the 2015 Truth […]
Four different types of outdoor play will be presented in this workshop: imaginative play, risky play, intentional play, and free play. Participants have the opportunity to ‘play,’ explore, and discuss each type of play themselves as they imagine how their students might engage with the provocations presented. (Primary/Elementary)
Cultivating our inner peace as educators and human beings is our greatest human technology. In alignment with Otto Scharmer’s Theory U for systems change; deep listening, deep terrain, and healing the gaps which disconnect us from our nature are our most promising means of re-connection. May our disruption become transformation as we move forward together […]
Karen Lai works as an independent consultant in accessibility and inclusion. She works with businesses and organizations to increase the accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities. She holds a Master of Arts in Human Kinetics where she examined the social theories behind social inclusion of people with disabilities. She has more than 20 years […]
The research is clear – children and adults benefit from experimenting, exploring, co-investigating and learning outdoors. But, to make this shift from an indoor space, leaders have a significant role in changing practice. Educators benefit from being surrounded by leaders who embrace and become partners in collectively imagining the possibilities of children experimenting, exploring, co-investigating […]
This session is for anyone interested in learning about taking effective breaks as a sustainable wellness practice. Our two separate projects show surprisingly similar results: high school students, teachers, and pre-service teachers perceive breaks as vital to their wellbeing. First we will share the science behind breaks, learn from participants’ voices, take a walking break, […]
I believe that a successful and positive outdoor program starts exactly how we begin any indoor classroom practice – with routines, expectations, and supports. To nurture our own self-awareness and self-management skills, we will explore a variety of activities such as bird language skits, basic tracking skills, and scavenger hunts. After all, when we understand […]
“Come have fun! Physically active learning (PAL) is an innovative, Norwegian teaching method in which classroom teachers incorporate physical activity into the review of curriculum outcomes. Come and experience what public education is beginning to feel like across Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki! Through inclusive and collaborative physically active learning lessons, we will explore the benefits of taking […]