Land-based learning is essential to me. I have grown up with many outdoor learning opportunities, and find that they leave me feeling centred and more self-aware. As I embark on my teaching journey, I find myself seeking out these land-based adventures any chance I get.
After being able to go to the trapline, I found out about Epic Jr. A group of teacher candidates were chosen to support students as they worked on land-based inquiry. The first day included going to a local park and collecting fallen wood. Before starting we circled up and discussed the energy we wanted to bring into the day, and how we can show respect.
Walking to the park, the students were very willing to explain what they were feeling and how they were choosing what to harvest. My favourite moment from the first day was when a fellow teacher candidate was able to explain how wildlife used the branches as a food source. Many of the students were eager and willing to make assumptions and back up why they thought a specific way.
The next day was when we had the opportunity to help with fire making. There was a very cool dynamic of students identifying themselves as leaders because of various experiences with fire making. This ownership of skills allowed for a much more open and creative learning environment. We again walked to where the fire-making was, but this time it was in a staff member’s backyard. We discussed reciprocal relationships and how respect was a factor in them. The students were eager to try out different methods of fire-starting and were happy to explain any and all decisions in the process.
I was empowered by the Lead Learner Dawn Bast and her comments about how I was able to use directive questions to further understand the student’s inquiry. This is a skill I would like to continue to develop. I feel that often people leave a trace of their understanding with everything they touch, and attempting to find students’ unaltered understanding becomes difficult.
I look forward to future opportunities with Epic Jr.