Place-based learning uses the local environment and community as the starting point for teaching the objectives of the curriculum. We will provide resources and create opportunities for cross-curricular learning on the land while fostering relationships between school and community. Teachers are expected and supported to take more learning outdoors for all the health and learning benefits that come with spending time outside and in nature. Examples of this work include:
- Investment in equipment for outdoor activities and learning
- Ensuring all students have access to clothing, and footwear for outdoor activities
- Participation in the year-long Take Me Outside For Learning Challenge
- Support for educator participation in learning opportunities to build capacity for outdoor learning (Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association workshops and network, Environmental Education Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) partnerships, Open Learning Store webinars, Outdoor Council of Canada certification, other)
- Interactive digital map of place-based learning sites, resources, and opportunities
- Relationships with community educators, organizations, and facilities to bring community educators into the classroom and students out into community settings
- Independent Directed Study (IDS) framework to honour community and cultural learning with graduation program credits
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER in, on, with, and from the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District land and communities:
Trustee Show of Support
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin School District trustees sported their Take Me Outside for Learning shirts at the BC School Trustees Academy to show their support and enthusiasm for this priority in our district.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/c739b255-e1fe-4860-99af-0e6b7578c17b" alt="Trustee Show of Support cheryl lenardon" width="484" height="363" style="width:484px;height:363px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin team at First Nations Education Steering Council (FNESC) got to hear from Niigaan Sinclair about Truth and Reconciliation in education in Canada. It was meaningful for our team to see Phyllis Webstad and Orange Shirt Day honoured alongside the achievements of the great Murray Sinclair.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/bab5f82e-e402-4c0c-a283-08756d8f6aa0" alt="Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC1 cheryl lenardon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/53cabbc0-9430-489b-abe3-4d7ad498315e" alt="Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC2 cheryl lenardon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Journey to System Change for Place-Based Learning
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin School District is honoured to have the story of how we are intentionally growing place-based learning across our district in the BC School Superintendents Association journal InspirEd. We are engaging leaders, teams, and students in activities and experiences beyond the walls of the classroom. We are working with partners to build capacity, equip schools, and expand opportunties. It is good work that we are proud to share. https://flip.matrixgroupinc.net/bcsb/2025/fall/#page=21</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/46504310-d6c5-4a39-b065-39ef953392b2" alt="InspirEd 2025 cheryl lenardon" width="563" height="316" style="width:563px;height:316px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Primary Students Take Part in Harvest At Horse Lake Farm Cooperative
Horse Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Horse Lake's Kindergarten and Grade One students visited the Horse Lake Farm Cooperative to take part in the the fall vegetable harvest. The students learned about the growing cycle of plants, what vegetable plants look like before they are harvested, and how root vegetables are stored over the winter. The grade one students were especially excited to harvest the potatoes they planted last spring as kindergarten students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/dbf5c33b-e962-4c81-9db1-8fe6ae8012d7" alt="Farm 3 Murray Helmer" width="449" height="598" style="width:449px;height:598px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Forestry Week Activities at Horse Lake Elementary
Horse Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade 4/5 students from Horse Lake Elementary got some hands-on forestry experience during Forestry Week activities organized by teacher Emma Raine. Professional Foresters Phil Johnston, Leanne Kaupp, and Lish Boutelier provided hands-on opportunities for students to measure tree heights and ages, as well as distinguish between tree species based on their bark, leaves, and needles. They led our students through our own forest to look for other living things that make the forest their home, and that may pose a risk to tree health.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ca8319b2-c1e2-4d7e-8d58-5627b2c220d1" alt="Forestry 2 Murray Helmer" width="419" height="524" style="width:419px;height:524px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Horse Lake Staff Members Participate in "Below Zero" Activities
Horse Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Several members of the Horse Lake Staff gathered on Professional Day for a workshop on taking learning outside with Below Zero Activities. Facilitated by Roland and Jessica from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the workshop provided participants with many outdoor activities that take advantage of our winter climate that they could use with their students. Our teachers studied snow flake patterns, animal adaptations in winter, animal tracking in the snow, and conducted experiments that demonstrated the insulating qualities of snow and other natural and synthetic materials. We all left the workshop with an Activity Guide full of outdoor activities that address our curricular goals across all grades.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/77311459-9089-532c-862e-265729a73c84" alt="hxhauloj.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/31aa257f-eb55-5427-93a0-f59a2339ad70" alt="65ciplsi.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Horse Lake Grade 5/6 Students Incorporate Outdoor Learning to Manage Emotions
Horse Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In Ms. Posnikoff and Mr. Helmer’s grade 5/6 class, students engage in a variety of activities that promote both academic and social-emotional learning. The use of Take Me Outside for Learning (TM04L) helps students with centering and regrouping, essential skills for managing their emotions and focusing on tasks.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The class incorporates outdoor activities that are described as grounding. For instance, one student finds solace and grounding by smelling the fresh forest air and climbing a deciduous tree during times of conflict. This connection to nature not only aids in emotional regulation but also fosters a sense of calm and mindfulness among students.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/d399d483-1d20-5964-ba9e-36b0e741923a" alt="uc6uqhos.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/836e4df5-503a-5449-b380-f8fce0d29455" alt="fi1ewmg5.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Horse Lake Kindergarten Students Participate in the Potato Harvest
Horse Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Horse Lake Kindergarten Teacher, John Foote, took learning outside for his kindergarten students as part of their Science program. Students travelled to the Horse Lake Farm Cooperative and participated in the potato harvest. Building on the Kindergarten Big Ideas that plants have observable features, and that daily and seasonal changes affect all living things, the students learned about the life cycle of the potato plants and enthusiastically dug for potatoes. Farmer Rob Diether showed the students his antique tractor and demonstrated how it is used to harvest the potatoes.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/a1ddfe0e-0a74-5f18-b8cb-1f1e3a3bd90d" alt="hseq8ewc.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/3c8c63c3-1e79-5257-9ced-dda83d169458" alt="o4bhn6m4.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>