Today, we went to West Lake Provincial Park for a field trip. Through this experience, I learned more about Land-Based Learning and thought about how learning in the land can be different from learning in a classroom. We walked, observed nature, and did different activities outside. I realized that the land is not only a place for outdoor activities. It can also be an important place where students can learn and build relationships.

We learned about the First Peoples Principles of Learning (FPPL) and connected them to our activities. This helped me think more about how Indigenous ways of knowing can be included in education. I also learned about the Four Rs: Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility. These ideas made me think that students should not only use the land for learning. They should also learn how to respect the land and understand their relationship with it.

This experience also gave me some ideas about how Indigenous perspectives can be connected to different subjects. For example, students can learn about nature and ecosystems in science. They can also use their experiences on the land in art, writing, or other subjects. I think Indigenous perspectives should not be added as just one extra topic. Instead, teachers can think about how they can change their teaching and connect Indigenous ways of knowing to different areas of learning.

At the same time, I started to think about some challenges with outdoor learning. I realized that simply taking students outside does not automatically create meaningful learning. Teachers need to think carefully about what students will learn, why they are doing the activity, and how the activity connects to the land. Teachers also need to think about how to include Indigenous perspectives in a respectful way.

After today’s field trip, I have a better understanding of how land can become part of learning. As a future teacher, I want to use outdoor learning not only as a fun activity, but as an opportunity for students to observe, think, build relationships, and learn from the place around them. I also want to think carefully about the learning content and purpose before planning outdoor activities.