Place based Learning
We value professional development as part of the growth for our school and for ourselves as pedagogues. We spend plenty of time reflecting on the child’s experiences and our practice.
About Our Place Based Learning
Place-based learning is also called pedagogy of a place. This pedagogy further builds on our vision of the environment as the 3rd teacher and reaffirms our pillars of Outdoors, Eco-Sustainability, Mindfulness, Social Justice and Image of the Child as the center.
Through taking on in-depth explorations of our land, communities, geography, history, and ecology, we provide not only authentic pathways to self identity for our children, but also create authentic learning conditions for a multitude of disciplines - Ethics, Science, History, Social Studies, Ecology and others.
Place-based learning is a natural extension to the SSJC work outdoors and within the community. It grounds itself in similar principles to the Reggio Emilia Approach and the Swedish curriculum, providing the children a way to further scaffold their knowledge, research, collaborate and build meaningful connections.
The Principles of Place based Learning
Community as a classroom
Communities serve as learning ecosystems for schools where local and regional experts, experiences, and places are part of the expanded definition of classroom.
Learner-centered
Learning as personally relevant to students and enables student agency
Inquiry based
Learning grounded in observing, asking relevant questions, making predictions, and collecting data to understand economic, ecological, and sociopolitical world.
Local to Global
Local learning serves as a model for understanding global challenges, opportunities, and connections.
Design Thinking
Design thinking provides a system approach for children to make a meaningful impact in communities through curriculum
Interdisciplinary
The curriculum matches the real world, with the traditional subject area content, skills, and dispositions taught through an integrated, interdisciplinary, project-based approach.
Learn More About Our Pedagogy
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Our Pillars
SSJC identity and values are grounded in five foundational pillars. The pillars serve as a navigational compass as we continue to learn and grow with our children, families, community, and the world at large.
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Documentation
We look at documentation work as part of the child’s journey at school. The children's project work and their development are continuously documented with the help of photos, videos and writing.
Visit us
We invite prospective parents to get a sense of the Scandi School experience through in-person tours of the school, virtual info sessions and virtual classroom tours.