An innovative learning partnership is creating new opportunities and changing the lives of students and Elders at Sherbrooke Community Centre.

The iGen intergenerational classroom program is the only one of its kind in Saskatchewan. It sees Grade 6 students from Saskatoon Public Schools spend a full school year in a unique setting at Sherbrooke Community Centre. Students learn through place-based education—the entire Sherbrooke facility and the broader community is their classroom—and their learning takes place throughout the centre.

The goal of the iGen program is to create a life-changing intergenerational learning experience where relationships are fostered, kindness, critical thinking and life-long learning are encouraged, and future community leaders are empowered.

Elders share life experiences and wisdom and receive the opportunity to work with students as mentors and teachers, while students bring new energy and ideas to share with people living in the Sherbrooke community. There is a mutual sharing of values and the two generations serve and support one another during the learning process.

The curriculum is taught in an integrated way through inquiry projects as students learn and work with their teacher as well as the centre’s residents and staff. Students are motivated through assessment, conversations and regular feedback from a variety of adults. They take part in Literacy for Life practices as they form relationships with peers and Elders. They develop skills such as receptive listening and viewing, and engage in meaningful practice of language and literacy skills.

The students participating in the program are selected through an application process that takes place each spring. They come from Saskatoon Public elementary schools city wide and are registered for the school year at nearby École College Park School, where they receive a portion of their school programming.

Sherbrooke Community Centre is a vibrant and caring home where people requiring specialized care reside. The care and service provided is based on the Eden Alternative philosophy, an Elder-directed approach in which residents direct their own lives and staff support them in their choices.

Information about the iGen program is available at: saskatoonpublicschools.ca/iGen or sherbrookecommunitycentre.ca.