Madamme Paulette Trottier鈥檚 Grade 2 class got a taste of nature, Sept. 18, when they headed to the Maligne Canyon viewpoint for a class trip.
The trip started at Trottier鈥檚 home, a small cabin among the trees on the grounds of the Maligne Canyon Hostel, which she and her husband manage.
As kids rampaged around a cluster of snack-time picnic tables, Trottier explained how the trip will provide an opportunity for a lesson in mountain identification, seasonal changes and the plant and animal life of Jasper.
She said she feels it鈥檚 important to bring her students outside because some kids might not get many opportunities to experience Jasper鈥檚 outdoor life.
The lessons are important, she said, but 鈥渋t鈥檚 more just coming and spending an afternoon together outside.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to start the year out like this,鈥� she said.
As the hike started, they tromped single-file through the woods, examining trees and flowers. Trottier often stopped the class to point out a specific kind of berry, or marks left behind on a tree by a climbing black bear.
She pointed out different kinds of trees, giving a short speech to a group of kids and asking them to 鈥減ass it on鈥� down the line to their peers.
When they finally made it to the viewpoint, the kids spread out across the long wall. Speaking in French, Trottier asked the kids to point out all the different mountain peaks they could see.
After the short lesson, everyone unpacked their art supplies and began to draw.
鈥淒raw what you see,鈥� Trottier instructed as she wove through the students, occasionally bending down to examine one of their drawings.
Trevor Nichols
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