Climate-focused Professional Learning Series

A Just Recovery through Reconciliation

Natural Curiosity and Green Teacher are excited to launch a climate-focused virtual professional learning series to support a just recovery from COVID-19. This series is for educators who wish to deepen their own inquiry into the ecology of natural curiosity — growing a learning environment where educators and students experience themselves in relationship with the Land and each other in community — and how this pedagogical approach can be applied to climate change education.

Over the course of six months, educators will explore the four-branch framework of environmental inquiry and the associated Indigenous lenses, that present tangible entry points towards a reciprocal relationship with the Land participating as a co-teacher. This framework will be applied to a solutions-focused approach to climate change education that leaves students both informed and empowered about the challenges and opportunities of anthropogenic climate change. Strategies to overcome barriers will be discussed in a safe and collegial online environment where educators may process their experiences, ask questions, and share stories. A Slack communication channel will be created to allow for conversation and mutual support between sessions.

Dates and times:  October 26th – April 5th, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm ET; 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm PST

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October 26

Introduction to the Four Branches of Natural Curiosity and the Indigenous Lenses:
❏ NC focus: Exploring the pedagogical framework and the Indigenous lenses
❏ Climate focus: Inquiry-based exploration of climate change — asking the big questions

November 16

Branch 1 & Indigenous Lens I: Inquiry and Engagement/Lighting the Fire:
❏ NC focus: Learning from the heart and from the land; connecting to the natural world through an inquiry approach
❏ Climate focus: exploring climate issues and making connections

December 7

Branch 2 & Indigenous Lens II: Experiential Learning/Sending Out Roots:
❏ NC focus: Getting outside, addressing barriers and effective strategies for enhancing our relationship with the land
❏ Climate focus: Learning local and from the land

January 18

Branch 3 & Indigenous Lens III: Integrated Learning/The Flow of Knowledge:
❏ NC focus: Deepening our inquiry through interconnections
❏ Climate focus: Sharing community-based solutions

February 22

Branch 4 & Indigenous Lens IV: Moving Towards Sustainability/Breathing With The World:
❏ NC focus: Building reciprocal relationships with the natural world
❏ Climate focus: Teaching a systems-based approach to climate action

April 5

Learning Goals

• Develop comfort with inquiry-based teaching

○ The four branches of NC

○ Knowledge building with students

○ Placing student voice, interest, and heart at the centre of their learning

• Develop a relationship with Indigenous perspectives

○ What is the Indigenous lens on Natural Curiosity?

○ Land acknowledgements and principles of reciprocity

○ How can we use the Indigenous lens of NC to introduce Indigenous stories and history?

• Develop comfort going outdoors

○ Addressing barriers to getting outside regularly

○ NC in all weather

○ Benefit/risk assessment

○ Scaffolding students’ capacity to risk assess

• Develop comfort with inquiry-based climate change education

○ Learning local and from the land

○ Systems thinking

○ Focusing on solutions

Required Reading

• Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition
• Teaching Teens about Climate Change
• Other resources will be referenced in session or on a private online communication platform, e.g., Slack

At the end of the workshop series, educators will receive a certificate of participation, along with access to recordings and resources.

Contacts:

NC Contact: Haley Higdon, naturalcuriosity@utoronto.ca

GT Contact: Ian Shanahan, ian@greenteacher.com, 613-475-4925

We are able to offer this workshop free of charge thanks to funding from Community Foundations of Canada / Fondations Communautaires du Canada as part of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.