Learning Opportunities

Take Literacy & Numeracy Outdoors

Presented By

Wanda Dechant & Kim Tackaberry

Series Sessions

Date	Time
Saturday, April 18, 2026	12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location

Ambrose University 150 Ambrose Cir SW, Calgary, AB

Grade Levels

Pre K - 1, K-3, Grades 4 - 6

Target Audience K-6 instructional leaders, pre-service teachers and teachers are encouraged to attend.

Join us for an inspiring journey into the outdoors, where literacy and numeracy come alive under the open sky! In this engaging workshop, we will equip grade K through grade 6 teachers with strategies and practical ideas to integrate literacy and numeracy with the curriculum into an outdoor learning environment. Come prepared to be active and involved in the experiences.

Session Highlights:

Nature's Classroom: Discover how the great outdoors can become your classroom as we explore the benefits of taking learning beyond the four walls. We will discuss the impact of outdoor learning on student engagement, creativity, and overall well-being.
Literacy in the Wild: Dive into strategies for fostering literacy skills outside, including fluency, word work and oracy. We'll show you how to utilize the natural world to inspire a love for reading and writing.
Math in Motion: Explore the endless mathematical possibilities in the outdoor setting. From counting natural objects to solving problems, we'll explore math concepts through hands-on activities that make numbers and shapes truly come alive.

Wanda Dechant

is a Designer of Professional Learning with the Calgary Regional Consortium. Her role includes supporting teachers, E.A.s, school admin, learning coaches and parents in K-12 Math and Numeracy. Wanda began teaching math and science in 2000, her teaching experience extends from grades 7 – 12. For the past 7 years Wanda’s work has included a major focus on K-6 Mathematics. Three critical aspects of learning that Wanda embeds into her work include:

Student and teacher self-confidence in math
Students and teachers making their thinking visible to themselves and to each other
Students and teachers as mathematicians - let’s do the math

Kim Tackaberry

Kim Tackaberry has had an extensive and varied career in education, with a strong focus on literacy and inclusive education. She currently serves as a Designer of Professional Learning at the Calgary Regional Consortium, where she develops and implements programs to support educators in enhancing their teaching practices. Kim's commitment to education is evident in her pursuit of further academic credentials. As a recent Master of Education graduate, specializing in literacy, she is undoubtedly deepening her expertise in this crucial area.

With over three decades of teaching experience across grades K-9, Kim has amassed a wealth of knowledge and skills in catering to diverse learning needs. Much of her teaching career has been spent at Foothills Academy Society, a specialized school catering to children with learning disabilities and ADHD. Her tenure at Foothills Academy provided her with invaluable insights into effective strategies for supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Fee No Charge

Registration Notes

Please dress comfortably for outdoor activities and be prepared to actively participate. If weather conditions are unfavorable, an indoor space has been reserved.

Quality Standards

This session addresses the following TQS competencies:

3. Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge 4. Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments