Lesson performed by U of R – Environmental Science and Sustainability May 2-4, 2018
Investigating and creating mandalas from materials found in nature.
Mandalas are circular, symmetrical objects that help us to connect to nature and cultivate mindfulness within ourselves by understanding our place in nature. Examples of natural mandalas are things like flowers and the iris of your eye.
Students used what they could find such as pinecones, sticks, feathers, and bones to create natural mandalas and connect with the land that they were exploring.
Taking part in a lesson on cow management on pastures.
In this lesson, students investigated the interdependence of plants and animals, including humans, within the White Butte habitat. Beef cattle farming is a large industry in Saskatchewan. That is why it was so important to learn how to promote a healthy environment and how it is connected to the food production process.
Learning about the factors that are causing climate change.
During a lesson on Climate Change, students discovered the difference between natural and human causes that are occurring around the world through an interactive game of tag.
Learned about the value and importance of water and the fundamental role it plays in all life.
In a practical demonstration, students got insight of how precious water is, for Canada and for the world. During the lesson, students took samples from a nearby stream to assess odour and colour and to determine its quality, and discussed the implications of polluted water.
Discovered some of the fascinating species of bird that call this land home.
In a guided tour of the land featuring model birds, students learned about common grassland birds and encountered different ecosystems that are home to a variety of our feathery friends native to the ecoregion.
Reflecting on the lessons of the day by journaling on the land.
After the lessons, students reflected on the experiences of their day by journaling. The days provided a truly experiential opportunity as the young explorers drew and answered questions about appreciating nature.
Overall, the school program provided the community with a great opportunity to participate in engaged learning while developing the students’ active understanding of themselves and their mindfulness of local nature. The project is expected to run again next year. These opportunities were made possible by continued partnerships between the University of Regina, the landowners, the Town of White City Museum Committee, Nature Saskatchewan, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and by involving various volunteers and community members.
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is Treaty 4 territory and the traditional territory of the Anihšinābēk, Nêhiyawak, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota peoples, and the original home of the Métis/Michif Nation. We recognize that both Indigenous and Métis people are the spiritual and cultural keepers of their traditional lands and still to this day, continue to practice their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.