Pour le bulletin en français, cliquez ici

STEPPING STONES



Sustainable Future Schools News


MONTHLY INSPIRATION

Pear Tree School



SFS EVENT

National Sweater Day -

February 1, 2024



RESOURCE PICKS

Outdoor Winter Activities



PD SPOTLIGHT

Lecture with Dr. Elin Kelsey

JANUARY 2024

Happy new year and welcome back to January's edition of Stepping Stones. This newsletter is dedicated to empowering and supporting our community of educators on their journey towards a more sustainable future.


This month, we're here to equip you with the tools and resources you need to take your students outside, even in this colder weather. You will also find an inquiry project from Pear Tree School, and access to a lecture by Dr. Elin Kelsey on "How to be Hopeful in a World of Doom - The Practice of Evidence-Based Hope"


As usual, whether it is to help you find a resource, help you develop a plan for the year, or to book a PD session for your staff, we are here to support you! Don't hesitate to reach out at emily@LSF-LST.ca if there's anything we can do.

If you haven't done so already, click to the link below to subscribe and get this newsletter monthly.

Subscribe to Newsletter

MONTHLY INSPIRATION

This month, we are following a grade 2 class from Pear Tree School on their journey to learn more about kelp forests. After a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, and learning that kelp forests were endangered, they were motivated to take action!


The students engaged with community partner, Oceanwise and author and seaweed expert, Amanda Swinimer, to understand the benefits of kelp, and to learn how they can positively contribute. They took a field trip to scavenge local kelp and clean up the shoreline. Through music, art and this wonderful video they share their learning and showcase their work.


Watch until to end to hear student voices on how you can help the kelp forests and the ocean.


Thank you Pear Tree School for sharing this project with us!

SFS EVENT:

Get ready to cozy up for National Sweater Day in Canada on February 1, 2024! This annual event, an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, encourages schools to take part in climate action by wearing warm sweaters and lowering thermostats. Here are some exciting ways for schools to participate:


Sweater Day Fashion Show:

  • Host a sweater fashion show where students can showcase their most stylish and sustainable sweaters. This fun event can be a platform to discuss the environmental impact of clothing choices.


Classroom Energy Audits:

  • Turn National Sweater Day into an opportunity for practical learning. Have each classroom conduct a mini energy audit, identifying areas where energy can be saved. Share the findings and brainstorm solutions.


Sweater Donation Drive:

  • Encourage students to bring in gently used sweaters for a donation drive. Donate the collected sweaters to a local charity or shelter, promoting sustainable practices and community engagement.


Outdoor Classroom Day:

  • Take advantage of the winter weather by organizing outdoor classes. Bundle up in sweaters and experience the benefits of fresh air while discussing the importance of climate action. Refer to the resources below for ideas and lessons!


National Sweater Day is not just about staying warm; it's a chance for schools across Canada to come together, learn, and take positive steps towards a more sustainable future.

RESOURCE PICKS OF THE MONTH

K to 3 – Evergreens in Winter                                

This activity provides students with the opportunity to personally experience the world of a conifer tree in winter. As they look for animal signs, feel the sheltering effects of branches and listen to the sounds of the evergreen, students will develop an understanding of the interdependence between humans and trees while connecting with nature.


Grades 3 to 7 – Tracking Winter Animals! - Students participate in a series of engaging outdoor activities to learn the different methods by which animals move and how to identify local animals and wildlife from the tracks they leave behind.


Grades 4 to 7 – Arctic Survivor - The resource offers a fun and interactive activity to introduce students to the impacts of climate change on animal populations. Using a game format, students role-play polar bears and their interactions with the habitat components of food, water, shelter and space. The result is a better understanding of how polar bear populations are affected by changes to their habitat especially those caused by climate change. 


Grades 8 to 12 – Deer in the Yard - This engaging outdoor activity will allow students to experience first hand the stress that winter places on many of our iconic animal species. Students become white-tailed deer and measure the physiological stress that navigating deep snow has on their bodies. Analysis and discussion of the data students collect, presents a clear picture of the importance of deer yards. This simulation allows students to further investigate some of the species' key adaptations for winter survival.

You can find all of these resources and more on the R4R.ca website. R4R.ca provides immediate access to more than 1700 quality classroom resources and connects teachers to lesson plans, books, videos and other materials that explore the environmental, social and economic dimensions of important issues and events unfolding in our world today.

PD SPOTLIGHT - Lecture with Dr. Elin Kelsey

How to be Hopeful in a World of Doom: The Practice of Evidence-Based Hope

Join us for a special lecture with Dr. Elin Kelsey. Elin Kelsey, PhD, is a leading spokesperson, scholar and educator in the area of evidence-based hope. Elin’s work focuses on the reciprocal relationship between humans and the rest of nature, particularly in relation to the emotional implications of the narrative of environmental doom and gloom on children and adults.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Sustainable Future School Playbook




The SFS playbook has been designed to assist schools in creating their own pathway for advancing the SDGs. No matter where you are at in your SFS journey, you can find helpful tools and activities.


Are you ready to TAKE ACTION with your students? Head to page 12 of the playbook to learn more on how to do so.


If you would like support in integrating the Sustainable Future School approach, please email emily@LSF-LST.ca


Access the SFS Playbook here

Check out some of our other resources!

Looking for more ideas for including sustainable learning in your classroom? Check out some of our other resources:



Sign up for SFS News, LSF News, Learning Inside Out and Step Outside!



Learning for a Sustainable Future | WWW.LSF-LST.ca

Facebook  X  Instagram