EDEF 3200: Theoretical Frameworks of Education – Discussions on Place-Based Education
In this course we engaged in discussions on place-based education. After reading and discussing “What is Place-Based Education and Why Does it Matter?” by Getting Smart in partnership with eduInnovation & Teton Science Schools, I learned about the benefits of place-based education, and how to implement it in my classroom. In regard to environmental sustainability, I learned that using local landscapes as a foundation to study the different subjects can not only make learning more relevant and engaging, but can also give students a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world around them. By implementing place-based and outdoor learning into my teaching practice, I hope to inspire my students to care for the environment by helping them form strong connections with natural spaces.
EDFN 4200: Indigenous Culture and Learning – Sharing Knowledge & “Everything is One” Lesson Plan
For this course, I was tasked with finding different Indigenous resources to share with my classmates in the education program at Thompson Rivers University. One resource that I chose to share was the book Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, written by Robin Wall Kimmerer and adapted by Monique Gray Smith. This book explores the connections between indigenous wisdom, ecology, and science through engaging stories and teachings, and emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship. In sharing this resource and having my peers share with me, I learned the importance of community and life-long learning for environmental sustainability. I know now that to be a leader in environmental sustainability, it is crucial that you continuously seek new knowledge, and that you find a community of people with shared goals that you can collaborate with, ask questions, learn from, and receive support from.
In this course, I was also tasked with creating Indigenous lesson plans that incorporated class topics. For my first lesson plan, I chose to focus on the Indigenous worldview that “everything is one”, or “Kweseltnews” as said by the Secwepemc people. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the concept of interconnectedness in Indigenous worldviews and its relevance to climate change. By viewing the natural world using this holistic lens, students will be able to better understand their connection to the environment, how climate change affects the world around them, and the importance of keeping ecosystems healthy and balanced. Creating this lesson plan has not only taught me more about interconnectedness and its role in tackling climate change, but has also taught me how to effectively communicate the importance of environmental stewardship to students, encouraging them to take responsibility for ecosystem health.
“Everything is One” Lesson Plan:
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