Piling up bright coloured leaves seems like a typical activity for children at this time of year but it鈥檚 rare to see it in a math lesson.

For students in the LEAP program (91原创 Environmental Awareness Program), which runs out of Fort 91原创 Elementary, playing with leaves at Ponder Park is a regular part of their learning.

鈥淎s part of math they鈥檙e learning how to group 10s. They have to estimate what 10 looks like, what 100 looks like, and then what does a 1,000 look like. Collecting piles of leaves and then estimating how many there are,鈥� said Adam Knowlson, LEAP teacher of a Grade 3/4 class who also holds a passion for the outdoors.

鈥淭he best part is you get to jump in it after!鈥� he added.

This is Knowlson鈥檚 second year teaching in this program, which he said provides students an opportunity to connect with each other, connect to their environment, and with the curriculum in a unique way.

READ MORE: Outdoor classroom brings kids closer to nature with play and learning

鈥淲e get to be involved with them in more than a traditional academic sitting space. We see how they get to socialize, and then we get to have a natural connection to whatever is around us,鈥� explained Knowlson.

鈥淭he way that the curriculum exists now, lends itself really well to doing lessons that attack competencies using the materials right around us.,鈥� he remarked. 鈥淪o, socials and science can exist right around, and what鈥檚 underneath our feet, and what we can see with our eyes. It creates an awesome wonder and curiosity.鈥�

The program has grown since the first student intake in 2018.

The program is currently full, with 82 students making up four classes running from Kindergarten to Grade 4.

As in previous years, the number of applicants for Kindergarten entry for the 2022-23 school year has exceeded the number of spaces available, requiring the 91原创 School District to conduct a lottery system.

Colleen Harvie, principal of Fort 91原创 Elementary, said it鈥檚 a high demand program, where students learn outside three days a week in either a Metro Vancouver park, a Township of 91原创 park, or at Trinity Western University.

鈥淭his way they are provided with all the learning opportunities but in a different setting, in their environment, but they still go to school two days a week. They get their music, PE in the gym, and their art with the art teacher,鈥� said Harvie.

鈥淏eing in the outdoors you have to be a critical thinker and a problem solver. They hike, they come up against animals, and all different sorts of things in the parks, and they have to learn how to problem solve. It鈥檚 a very healthy way to learn physically, emotionally, and academically. It鈥檚 an incredible way to learn.鈥�

The program also highlights environmental stewardship and connection to the community.

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just our space for the six hours we are here. This is our shared space with our community,鈥� said Knowlson. 鈥淭he kids get to share what鈥檚 okay to put on the ground, how do we carefully interact with this space, or how do we use this trail. That鈥檚 one aspect of making sure that it鈥檚 here for their kids [in the future],鈥� explained

Registration for Kindergarten entry has closed. Applications for students entering Grades 1-4 begin in January. For information about the program, visit the webpage or contact Fort 91原创 Elementary.

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