Last year, Maine educators were invited to The Teacher Institute Winter Weekend to begin thinking about year-round outdoor learning opportunities for students. Village School staff: Krissy Pontbriand, Occupational Therapist and Lexi Caddell, Alternative Education tech, were able to attend and came back with experience and knowledge to share. During the weekend educators stayed onsite and enjoyed outdoor learning experiences. Ms. Caddell and Ms. Pontbriand used their time to dream big and begin thinking of how they could bring outdoor learning to Village School.
Educators at Village school believe in place-based, experiential learning for all students. This type of learning includes activities designed to meet the unique goals of individual students, alternative education activities for small groups, or place-based learning opportunities for all students. We are excited to share just a few of the many different things that have been happening!
- Kindergarten students collected leaves and incorporated math skills and concepts as they charted them for size, color, and shape.
- Art classes centered around nature rubbings. Students investigated different textures and other art elements with objects found in nature.
- Students with unique occupational therapy goals ventured outside and participated in a nature scavenger hunt. They focused first on finding different objects and then created nature collages.
- Classes and individual students created their own nature journals and enjoyed mindful minutes documenting the sights and sounds around them.
- Library classes listened as Mrs. McAllister read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and then created their own “Leaf People” with leaves found outside the school garden.
- All students participated in Ecology School hands-on experiential workshops.
Village School staff are excited about the momentum of this programming and have many ideas and future goals. This winter Ms. Caddell and Ms. Pontbriand will be showcasing our blossoming outdoor learning program by presenting at the Ecology School Teacher Institute. They encourage other Gorham staff to attend this training and will continue to look for new ways to collaborate. As our Village programming grows, they hope to build a team of outdoor learning leaders, comprised of staff and students. Their dream is to bring a permanent outdoor classroom to the Village School campus.
Village School is grateful for community support. They thank the Ecology School for being a wonderful resource and providing our classes with place-based learning experience workshops on our campus. The school has also installed bird feeders equipped with a digital camera, graciously provided by community members through an Amazon Wishlist. Lastly, they want to recognize Mariah’s Studio (@mariahsstudiomaine) which has awarded a large grant, providing Village School with an outdoor cart loaded with exploration tools including waterproof seats, colored pencils, magnifiers, a beautiful sensory table, and our first garden bed.
Village School ~ Making A Difference Every Day.