Join us for a year-long series of five outdoor, curriculum-linked field trips to Milner Gardens & Woodland. Develop your students' core competencies in science, experience the local environment, and enjoy the benefits of hands-on outdoor learning.
Five Visit Program Year Outline
The following is a typical outline for visits for a Grade 1 or 2 class. Your program outline will vary depending on your grade level, interests, and the weather conditions during your visit.
Visit 1 - Soil (September / October)
Everything in nature depends on the soil, so we start here. We'll enjoy spectacular fall colour, rake up a pile of leaves to play in, and investigate how those leaves decompose and turn into soil.
Visit 2 - Meet the Trees (October / November)
Using games and hands-on learning we will become experts at identifying local trees, and then enjoy a variety of playful tree related activities (may include climbing, or a celebration in our orchard, depending on weather)
Visit 3 - Signs of Spring - (February / March)
We will consider how nature knows when it's time to 'wake up' in the springtime, learn to recognize local signs of spring, and plant peas to take back to school to grow.
Visit 4 - Pollination - (April/May)
As our garden begins to bloom, students will be introduced to the process of pollination and the importance of pollinators through a series of activities and games before becoming pollinators themselves.
Visit 5 - Reflection and Celebration - (May/June)
We will practice some nature observation activities that will help students continue their growth as naturalists after the program is over, and reflect on the year by putting together our year-long journal project.
Pre and Post Visit Activities
Teachers will be provided with a post-visit Circle Journal activity to complete after each visit. These journals allow your students to reflect on their experiences and allow teachers to assess what students are learning. Your students' journals will be made into posters on your final visit.
Teachers are also provided with a package of optional pre- and post- visit activities for each visit. These include vocabulary words, a list of related books, and other supplementary resources to extend your learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade is this program suited for?
The Shoots with Roots Five Visit program is best suited for Grades 1 through 3. These grades (including K/1 classes) get priority in our application process.
When are the visits?
Visits take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings from 9:30 - Noon. Each visit includes an introduction, a snack break, and a reflective talking stick circle to conclude. All of your visits for the year will be scheduled in early September.
How many students can I bring?
Visits are limited to one class at a time. Maximum class size for a school visit is the same as maximum class sizes for each grade as set by the provincial government, with a maximum of 30 students for any group.
How many adult helpers should I bring?
Each class is permitted to bring a maximum of three adults including the classroom teacher. If a particular student requires an additional adult to attend to directly support them that is of course permitted.
Do your programs link to curriculum?
All of our programming supports student learning across the curriculum, including science, language arts, and physical education. Time spent in nature has also been shown to increase attention and reduce anxiety in children. If you require a list of specific curriculum links, just ask - there are too many to list here.
Who leads the program?
The Shoots with Roots Coordinator, Pam Murray, plans, prepares, and leads all of the school visits and also manages the Shoots with Roots program. Pam began her career as an interpretive naturalist in 1997, and has planned and delivered place-based nature education for Parks Canada, Metro Vancouver Parks, Capital Regional District Parks and in BC Parks for over 20 years. She is a certified teacher with a Master's of Education in Special Education and uses this background to work with attending teachers to ensure that the programs are inclusive, curriculum-linked, age-appropriate, and consistent with current best practices in elementary education. Most groups will also be accompanied by a volunteer mentor, many of whom are retired teachers.
Where does the funding come from?
Each year we offer a number of spaces in our Five Visit Program free of charge to local schools. This is made possible through the support of individual donors as well as local community groups and businesses. Staff and volunteers also undertake various fundraising efforts throughout the year. We do not receive funding from government or local school districts. Additional programs are offered on a cost-recovery basis.
What if it rains?
Our programs run rain or shine. Please discuss appropriate clothing and footwear with your students. We may cancel a program on the rare occasion that extreme weather such as high winds or heavy snow presents a safety risk.
Are your programs accessible for all students?
We want all students to be able to participate in our programs safely and joyfully. Please check out Accessibility for more information.