Evergreen - Newsletters

Subscribe to the Outdoor Classroom! Twice a year you'll receive lesson plans, school garden profiles, teaching tips, native plant info, conferences and links to support and inspire school ground greening.

#26 Spring/Summer 2011
Outdoor learning can be fun in any weather—from snowmen forests to tramping through the ravines of old “Muddy York.” And fresh for spring, lesson plans to prepare students for the outdoors and a fun, new way to brainstorm with your class.
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#25 Fall 2010
Hands-on learning for student teachers, how to make your own stepping stones, and our newest lesson plan: Printing with Nature.
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#24 Fall 2009
Enjoy a first-hand perspective from the opening ceremonies at two school ground greening projects in Winnipeg and Mississauga, be inspired by a healing art project, and read about the food gardening movement in BC. Plus check out updates and reports on other school ground greening programming including our teacher institutes and programming for GTA schools at Evergreen Brick Works.
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#23 Spring 2009
Get the latest on the child-nature movement in BC and Ontario, browse an eco-art gallery from Brother André Catholic Schoolin Ottawa and download our Mystery Garden lesson plan. Plus, learn how to play Cow-a-Dunga at your rural school.
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#22 Winter 2008-09
Take a glimpse into school ground greening on the European scene, learn about the largest tree-planting project at a Canadian school and download our nature diary lesson plan. Plus, brand new maintenance fact sheets, book reviews and links to resources.
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#21 Summer 2008
In this edition, we feature one BC teacher's story of creating an Aboriginal Garden on her elementary school grounds and the extraordinary results. Also, check out our updates about our forthcoming three-day teachers' institute in Halifax and Toronto, and, of course, reading recommendations for your students and you in The Green Bookshelf.
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#20 Winter 2007
Learning doesn't hibernate! Discover the wonders of winter with easy-to-organize activities, find out how Cassandra Public School used Google Maps as part of their application, and check out more of our favourite books and links.
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#19 Spring 2007
With this issue, the OC goes electronic. Check out our photo gallery of garden signs, lesson on leaf-out, Natural Expressions activity, links, conferences and more!
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#18 Fall 2006
Thinking of starting a food garden at your school? The fall 2006 issue is packed with inspiration - from a profile of St. Jerome's Potato Project in Edmonton, to a snapshot of gardens across Canada, to a wormy, squirmy teaching activity. Free download.
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#17 Spring 2006
The spring 2006 issue has a fresh face and raft of great stories — from the healing power of gardens, to the latest research on the physical health benefits of greening, to the weird upside-down behaviour of Red-Breasted Nuthatches. Free download.
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#16 Fall 2005
Is your school ground a black expanse of unforgiving asphalt? Would you like to squirt some green into that image? This issue offers two tales of planting in asphalt, as well as four easy activities to do on the school ground before the snow flies. Free download.
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#15 Spring 2005
Teachers, check it out! This issue features top tips for teaching outside, three great starter activities for kids of different ages and links to a careful selection of web sites that offer lesson plans and other ideas for teachers. Free download.
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#14 Fall 2004
The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program has expanded its expert assistance and streamlined its application process for the coming year. This issue of the Outdoor Classroom explains how the new procedures work and offers a comprehensive case study of a school in British Columbia which turned a potential closing into an environmental success story. Free download.
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#13 Spring 2004
The most successful school ground greening projects involve children and members of the school community through all stages of the school ground design process. This issue focuses on how to design school grounds with activity zones and elements. Free download.
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#12 Fall 2003
This issue focuses on designing for diversity. Read about corn, beans and squash, Grandview/?Uuqinak'uuh Elementary school, and our range of grants and hands-on support available for school ground greening projects this year. Free download.
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#11 Spring 2003
This issue's theme is shade. Learn more about how schools are using trees and shade structures to protect children from the sun's harmful rays. Also, check out this year's grant and award winners. Free download.
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#10 Fall 2002
Check out this issue for information about the third year of Toyota grants. Also, read about the VanCity grants for BC schools, and our new grant, "Let's Play, Canada" for preschool to grade 3. Other features include the News From the Environmental Education front, highlighting Green Street and what the Learning Grounds program offers schools through this initiative. Free download.
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#9 Spring 2002
This issue features innovative design ideas related to theme gardens on your school grounds including Spiral and Pizza Patch Gardens. Other highlights include our case study corner, featuring a unique project that Evergreen is involved in Cuba as well as environmental education updates and details on how to make your own paper bag kite. Free download.
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#8 Fall 2001
Features details on the 2002 Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Grants and the new Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Awards of Excellence. Special features include an outline for creating a School Yard Eco-calendar and instructions on creating a teepee for your runner beans! Free download.
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#7 Spring 2001
A brand new look! This issue is designed to allow the centre spread to be put up on your wall as a poster. Along with new articles, inside we've featured student art submitted as part of our National School Ground Challenge. Free download.
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#6 Fall 2000
This Special Edition features the launch of the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program. Includes The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds National Grant 2001 application with accompanying tips for the application process. Free download.
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#5 Spring 2000
More stories and inspiration from Canadian leaders in school ground naturalization. In this issue, we thank the Quebec and Atlantic Canada Model School Project participants and present a summary from our new Learning Grounds research report, Nature Nurtures. Free download.
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#4 Winter 1999
Share in the rich learning experiences from schools across Canada that have embarked on a naturalization journey. Also contains curriculum connections and a profile of the Ontario Model Schools Project. Free download.
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#3 Winter 1997
Includes articles on winter activities, designing outdoor areas for winter, and researching and selecting species for your project. Free download.
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#2 Autumn 1995
Includes articles on planting for wildlife, chemical-free schools, and how to promote your project. Free download.
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