Students, parents, teachers and volunteers are putting the finishing touches on the new Innovative Learning space at St. Louis School which includes a cedar learning pod, a deck off their portable, a nature structure made out of recycled bicycle tires that will be enclosed in plants as well as a many artistic elements and landscaping.
Mrs. Martineau's grade 6 class submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education and received funds to design, research and build an innovative learning pod to extend the learning space of their classroom into the outdoors. Mrs. Martineau used the project to provide a rich learning opportunity for her students and not only that she also handed over the leadership of the project to her students.
"We were involved in every aspect of the project from developing our own communications, researching and designing our new learning spaces, coordinating volunteers and building and constructing the pod," says Lillie Lax grade 6 student.
"This project has opened up so many authentic learning opportunities for the class," says Martineau. "It has provided a great opportunity for them to take on a leadership role and work together as a team. The students have learned so much including project management, leadership, researching, communication skills and art and design. These skills really deepen their understanding of the curriculum in the areas of critical thinking, numeracy, literacy and art in a way that is authentic and has a lasting impact on the school community."
Grade 6 student Emma Manzie talked about how the new space will be used, "the pod will be used for outdoor learning in the summer as well as indoor in the winter. We also are excited to see the plants and vines grow over the bicycle tire structure. It will be a fun place for the students to hang out in and read or work on projects while being outside and in the shade. As a grade 6 class we are really happy to be able to create something that will have a lasting impact on St. Louis School."
A very special thank you to all the volunteers who provided their time, labour and resources to complete this project. The new learning space is located behind St. Louis School just outside of Mrs. Martineau's portable. There truly is no limit as to what this teacher can and will do with her class. It's amazing to see teaching that is a vocation.
