Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Chancellor Blvd, Vancouver, BC, Canada
What learning stories do we have to share?
On Monday, our Inquiry class got together for a nature walk in Pacific Spirit Park and gathered at Salish Place, a designated play place, and each of the five groups presented for 15 minutes. From our presentations, it was clear that there were many learning stories from our practicum experiences that each of us had to share. For example, Brianna’s inquiry group facilitated a ‘hug a tree’ activity in which we were required to trust our partners and our senses in order to familiarized ourselves with a tree. During the demo, Brianna shared a learning story from her CFE about pulling cedar trees. This inquiry group’s experience was engaging and meaningful as it demonstrated the group’s personal connection to the learning activity and then empowered us to make personal connections to the public space, the environment, around us.
How has this inquiry impacted us as beginning teachers?
Our inquiry group changed our inquiry question this semester to: How do public outdoor spaces such as the shadow tree act as a tool to reclaim land within our communities? This inquiry has impacted and inspired us as beginning teachers to engage in the natural world around us by questioning and reflecting. Thinking critically by questioning and reflecting on the land around us involves: Who’s land are we on? What could learning look like in this space? How can I contribute to children’s reconnection to land and place?
What are our next steps? How can we share our inquiry learning this year?
Our next steps are to brainstorm ways in which we will share our learning stories from our inquiry this year. In particular, focusing on how our inquiry question has changed as a result of reflecting individually and collectively on our practicum experiences.
