At Saint Mary’s Academy we are surrounded by forest in hardiness zone 3b on the unceded and un-surrendered territory of Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) lands. Our school sits on more than 12 hectares of untouched wooded area with a large variety of flora and fauna. We are indeed fortunate.
Our school and students take advantage of these spaces regularly through a rapidly developing outdoor learning program. Our outdoor exposure is increasing in every subject area, within clubs, multiple classes and diverse social opportunities.
Specific classes are outside for hours to achieve their learning through a play-based imaginative approach to education throughout every season. Students are granted the opportunity to garden, tap maple trees, build, discover different living organisms, understand life around them, have space and time to play, discover, and explore. The whole learning process is presented through a lens of respect and love for the environment. Students gain familiarity with their environment and subsequently care for it.
Our students grow on multiple levels through the constant exposure to nature, our home, Mother Earth.
Yes, winter is cold in Canada! However, with a good flow of high/low energy activities and imbedded routines we keep warm and learn. We keep going out, one hour a day! We always start with a walk to get blood pumping & imagination flowing, then we often do a song, moral story or review activity before getting into our main activity. Thursday the review activity was word problems with time!
