Connecting with the Natural World: Land-Based Education with Edgewater Elementary & the Parks of Pincourt
by Simone Viger, Sue Simatos and Chloë Ranaldi
“Students visited different parks in Pincourt to learn about the town’s actions regarding the preservation of the environment.” -Sue Simatos, LBPSB Educational Services, Indigenous Resource Person
“Our three third grade classes were able to take part in a “Parks Discovery”, which was organized by Suzanne Simatos of ESD, in conjunction with a representative of the city of Pincourt.” -Sandra Weir, Grade Three Teacher, Edgewater Elementary
Started April 2024 and Ongoing
Last school year, Edgewater Elementary’s Grade 3 students learned about the local natural world in their community and a connection was made between how the citizens saved the forest in Pincourt for future generations – the same way the Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) people have always and continue to protect and care for the land for future seven generations.
To complement Science and Histoire/Citizenship programs, students visited three local green spaces: Trotter Park, Lafleche-Rousseau Forrest, and the Miyawaki forest at the Olympic Park.
Trotter Park
Students learned about the importance of pollinators.
“We saw the butterfly garden the city had created” -Sandra Weir, Grade Three Teacher, Edgewater Elementary
Pollinator gardens at Trotter Park Photo credit: Chloë Ranaldi
Lafleche-Rousseau Forest
Students learned about native plants and wildlife. Also, how citizens got together to fight for the importance of wildlife and convinced the town to buy and protect this important ecosystem.
“We walked through the forest and learned about the plants and animals which make their homes there.” -Sandra Weir, Grade Three Teacher, Edgewater Elementary
Protected ecosystem of Lafleche-Rousseau Forest Photo credit: Chloë Ranaldi
Miyawaki Forest at Olympic Park
Students visited a biodiverse tree farm planted by the town, volunteers and students to rapidly reforest the area.
“We learned about how trees provide us with oxygen.” -Sandra Weir, Grade Three Teacher, Edgewater Elementary
Tree-planting project to create a Miyawaki forest Photo credit: Chloë Ranaldi
Project Partners
Partners with this project have included Timothy Armstrong from Kahnawake and Pincourt Vert. And it would not have been possible without teachers Ms. Mercier, Ms. Weir, and Mr. Chan, as well as administrator Ms. Kapitsky.
According to the collaborating grade 3 teacher, “the outings were well-organized and informative and were geared well for the children’s age group… our students left with a lot of scientific learning and a new respect for nature.” In addition, courtesy of the city, students received a map of the forest, an apple, milkweed seeds to plant near their homes and a monarch butterfly tattoo. The hope is that this new knowledge will help to prepare students as they learn more about the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) way of life.
Visiting the local community gives a deeper, more meaningful, understanding of what they are learning in class about the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois).
The cycle of this project should be completed in May 2025 – stay tuned for more updates!
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
New LBPSB Indigenous Website
LBPSB Educational Services are excited to launch a new resource, LBPSB Indigenous, by Curran Katsi’tsohrónkwas Jacobs, an educator and university professor, from the community of Kahnawà:ke.
The LBPSB Indigenous website provides:
● Scaffolded resources for K4-11
● New approaches to Truth and Reconciliation
● Moving outside the classroom into the natural world
See the website for more suggestions.
Support for Similar Projects
Educators who are interested in developing a similar project in their school community, focusing on connecting with the natural world are welcome to contact Sue Simatos regarding resources and funding, by email at: ssimatos@lbpsb.qc.ca.
Photo credit: Chloë Ranaldi
