Outdoor Education at Beacon Christian School by Jeff Brooks Grade 4 Teacher Last spring, I had an opportunity to take an advanced qualification course through Queen's University which focused on Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. In addition to taking an in-depth look at the history and culture of Canada’s Indigenous nations, it also examined Indigenous pedagogy (methods of learning). For traditional Indigenous societies, the land was always considered to be the first teacher. This focus on land-based learning inspired the grade four team to come up with creative ways to immerse our students in God’s creation. In September, the grade four classes took part in a guided tour of Walkers Creek. We learned about the unique flora and fauna, as well as the efforts that have been taken to revive this unique inner-city ecosystem. Students then went on a surf trip to Lake Erie where they learned about waves, currents and fresh water fossils, such as horn coral. In October, our focus was on survival skills. At Sunset Beach, students worked together to build and try out survival rafts. Later in the month, students enjoyed making survival shelters at Malcolmson Eco Park.
DECEMBER 2021 beaconchristian.org