Place-Based Pedagogy Education

Place-based pedagogy emphasizes students’ learning by incorporating their local culture, environment, and experiences within their own community (Smith, 2002). Teachers utilize place- based pedagogy to teach different concepts in social studies, language arts, mathematics, and science amongst other subjects. Place- based education engages students in real life learning experiences to deeply understand and further strengthen their connection to their community.

Using place- based education creates lessons that encourages higher student engagement in the classroom and their community. It helps student recognize and address the issues surrounding the socioeconomic, environmental, as well as the opportunities presented. These real- life experiences will be the foundation for a more meaningful learning experience in the classrooms.

The history of place- based education goes back to the 1890s when American philosopher and educator John Dewey argued that children learn best when they are engaged with their surrounding environment and their school curriculum allows them to make a connection of their previous experiences to their present. This approach led to the paced based pedagogy.

Place- based education gives elementary students of the Rio Grande Valley the ability to be able to recognize and comprehend the unique history of their region and embrace it. It will help them being proud of where they come from while having the resources to act whenever an issue arises.