Discover the wonder of the world around you with this hands-on curriculum and activity guide! Learn about Alaskan ecosystems and animals, growing and harvesting food, winter in the Far North, and so much more, all through integrated lessons that involve reading, writing, science, math, social studies, history, and art.
Subscribe to receive weekly lessons and activity ideas, teaching tips from Calypso educators, and a community of other local learners!
Whether you are a first-time homeschooling family looking for lesson ideas or a teacher looking to help students engage with hands-on learning at home, the lessons in this curriculum are meant to be adapted by you, your family, and your students to meet your specific interests and educational goals. Lessons have been developed with elementary-aged students in mind with the understanding that individual students, regardless of age, may be at many different learning levels in a variety of subjects at once.
The People & Place Curriculum and Activity Guide is meant to be a fun, hands-on introduction to place-based learning for families, students, and educators.
Place-Based Education is learning grounded in one’s local community, context, and natural environment. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of people and the ecosystems we inhabit, and that local contexts and hands-on experiences are a powerful foundation for all learning. In addition to providing exciting lessons in fascinating natural phenomena, this guide also focuses on the importance of community, and in understanding people - our histories, cultures, traditions, and more - as an integral part of place.
Above all, place-based education is about making learning relevant, meaningful, and grounded in nature. This guide is meant to spark interest and inspiration. We hope you take this opportunity to get excited about place-based education and explore and learn about your world!
When you subscribe, you'll receive:
Fall Curriculum Guide
An overview of the topics covered this semester and background information about how to approach these lessons.
Monthly Unit Packets
One each for September through December, containing unit-long project ideas, resource suggestions, and learning standards. Click here to view a sample unit packet!
Weekly Activity Packets
15 weeks of lessons containing write-ups and guides for seasonally appropriate hands-on activities involving reading, writing, science, math, social studies, history, and art. Click here to view a sample weekly activity packet!
Monthly Virtual Sessions
Meet with Calypso educators via Zoom for an introduction to the monthly unit, discuss upcoming lessons, ask questions, etc (optional).
Virtual Forum
Connect with other participants to share ideas, ask questions, and share your students work (optional).
Each student will also receive an end of semester certificate and small Calypso keepsake!
Approach to Learning Standards:
This curriculum guide is meant to be a thematic outline and supplement to other subject and grade-level specific curricula, and therefore adaptable for all elementary-aged learners. Grade-level standards for subjects like math, language arts, and social studies are not included.
Due to the curriculum’s focus on science and ecology, each unit does name and address certain Next Generation Science Standards used by many Alaskan schools, as well as Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools.
While we acknowledge that standards-based learning doesn't work for all learners, we also think that these science standards and Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools are good guidelines to draw inspiration from to help integrate our childerns' education within our ecosystems and communities.
Monthly Units & Weekly Themes:
Unit 1: My Ecosystem
(September)
Week 1: Berries & Harvest
Week 2: Trees & Forest
Week 3: Weather & Seasons
Week 4: Soil & Water
Unit 2: Preparing for Winter
(October)
Week 1: Birds & Migration
Week 2: People & Place
Week 3: Large Animals
Week 4: Small Animals
Unit 3: Snow & Ice
(November)
Week 1: Snow Science
Week 2: Winter Survival
Week 3: Glaciers & Ice
Week 4: Changing Climates
Unit 4: My Place in Space
(December)
Week 1: Land of Extremes
Week 2: Aurora Borealis
Week 3: Stars & Stories
Subscribe Today!
The People & Place Curriculum is divided into month-long units, which are each then divided into weekly activity guides on various subjects.
The flexible options below are priced per household and are each offered on a pay what you can basis - up to 50% off.* That being said, we do not want the cost to inhibit anyone from subscribing. If you need a larger discount, please contact us directly and we will get you signed up!
Sign up now! Unit 1 begins September 8th!
For Teachers:
The Curriculum & Activity Guide is available to public school teachers on a pay what you can basis, up to 90% off. We just ask that you credit Calypso when using and distributing the content to your students!
Click below to subscribe your class!
