Place-based learning uses the local environment and community as the starting point for teaching the objectives of the curriculum. We will provide resources and create opportunities for cross-curricular learning on the land while fostering relationships between school and community. Teachers are expected and supported to take more learning outdoors for all the health and learning benefits that come with spending time outside and in nature. Examples of this work include:
- Investment in equipment for outdoor activities and learning
- Ensuring all students have access to clothing, and footwear for outdoor activities
- Participation in the year-long Take Me Outside For Learning Challenge
- Support for educator participation in learning opportunities to build capacity for outdoor learning (Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association workshops and network, Environmental Education Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) partnerships, Open Learning Store webinars, Outdoor Council of Canada certification, other)
- Interactive digital map of place-based learning sites, resources, and opportunities
- Relationships with community educators, organizations, and facilities to bring community educators into the classroom and students out into community settings
- Independent Directed Study (IDS) framework to honour community and cultural learning with graduation program credits
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER in, on, with, and from the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District land and communities:
Fresh Year, Fresh Tracks
Big Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our students are kicking off the new year with crisp air, bright smiles, and cross‑country ski adventures here at Big Lake School. With every glide across the snow, they’re building confidence, perseverance, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. It’s inspiring to see their excitement as they learn new skills, encourage one another, and make the most of our beautiful Cariboo winter. Here’s to fresh tracks and fresh learning in 2026!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/be2ff88f-c4e0-4072-8af1-09e551b1547a?fingerprint=ppb20260204043338" alt="FYFT1 Sari Small" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/15771796-35dd-4feb-9f40-d75ce8c2ea20?fingerprint=ppb20260204043338" alt="FYFT2 Sari Small" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Garden Harvest Field Trip
Big Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Big Lake students visited a local homestead in Beaver Valley to harvest vegetables. By working together in the garden, students experience a sense of belonging—connecting with peers, the land, and the community in a shared purpose. At the same time, the hands-on tasks allow them to exercise independence, making choices, and taking responsibility for their role in the harvest. This experience honors holistic learning and reinforces the interconnectedness of community, nature, and personal growth.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ac661999-7aa4-42d6-b693-b5598cd58a7e?fingerprint=ppb20260106214200" alt="BL Garden Harvest Sari Small" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/23c19417-75da-4d6b-9d74-d4136bc3e8f7?fingerprint=ppb20260106214158" alt="BL Garden Harvest 2 Sari Small" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Take Me Outside - Sticks and Tallies Math
Big Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">During Take Me Outside Week, a group of primary students from Big Lake Elementary brought their math learning outdoors. Using sticks they gathered, students played "Sticks & Tallies" to practice creating and counting groups of five while working together in small teams. The activity encouraged hands-on learning and helped strengthen number sense through play and collaboration. Laughter filled the air as students discovered how math can be found all around them.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/f75afdae-8800-48f6-93be-66b398965f96?fingerprint=ppb20251217040624" alt="Take Me Outside Sticks and Tallies Sari Small" width="390" height="293" style="width:390px;height:293px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Learning More About Trees
Big Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Big Lake Elementary was excited to welcome Martin Cruz from Scout Island to our community. Students excitedly went into the forests around the school being tree detectives, searching for clues to identify trees. Students took their new detective skills to support them in a tree identifying orienteering activity around the school community.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, students participated in a whole school drama activity where they all learned about the different parts of a tree. They used this knowledge to create a mini skit that demonstrated all the parts working together! We had a great day exploring our forests and learning more about the types of trees we have in the Big Lake community.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/870b39c8-6aaa-4ecb-b848-e232273f7dc2?fingerprint=ppb20260318041952" alt="Learning more about trees1 Sari Small" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/be91ae0d-b046-4124-9b95-582e57ef8173?fingerprint=ppb20260318041953" alt="Learning more about trees2 Sari Small" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Big Lake - Walking Together
Big Lake Elementary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After reading the story "Walking Together" several times by Elder Albert Marshall and Louise Zimanyi, Big Lake students completed a few different collaborative projects - nature murals and wild animals. </span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ddbd22db-8894-5e17-8066-2acb45c35324?fingerprint=ppb20251217040352" alt="2s942q3q.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9325ad35-9cd7-5a9d-9af5-45ad0c43c875?fingerprint=ppb20251217035020" alt="ilx6w62d.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>