NURTURING NATURE

Outside is where real life connections to science happen organically!  Here are tips to assist you teaching a lesson(s) regarding environmental education.  If you would like a full lesson plan please email me and we will design one together. 

 

​Eco Anxiety seems to be a topic popping up in the news these days so I felt remiss not to put science resources on this site that could help teach more about the environment and thus potentially quelling eco-anxiety.  ​​

 

The Original Environmentalists

Lesson regarding the importance of the environment must include an Indigenous lens because they were an original keeper of Turtle Island (what was colonized as North America).  Please read Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition: A Resource for Educators for lesson ideas.  This book offers awareness of Indigenous perspectives and their importance to environmental education.  Please visit the Indigenous tab for more information on an Indigenous lens and lessons ideas using an Indigenous lens.  

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Earth Rangers

I took their Eco-Anxiety to Eco-Action 6 module professional development. I  found it educational.  The site also offers a range of lessons, school assemblies, and an opportunity to join an eco club!  If you can not use this site in a whole class lesson this would be a valuable site for the teacher who wants to inspire environmental stewardship in her students perhaps during a lunch time cl.  

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Earth Rangers is the charity that transforms children’s concerns about the environment into positive action. When a child becomes an Earth Ranger, they become an animal saving hero, developing confidence that they can make a difference and optimism about the future.​

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From the PD I took from Earth Rangers I learned of the 5 E's to reduce eco-anxiety:

Empathy

Education

Environmental Stewardship

Excitement

Empowerment

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They teach use age appropriate learning by using the words take care of or help instead of save the planet as that is too much pressure for young people (or anyone) to think they have to save the entire planet.  

 

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WEBSITE

The Government of Canada has the Commit2Act site to help inspire you and your students to commit to actions to help the plant.  

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BOOKS FOR READ ALOUD AND DISCUSSION

​Drawn to Change the World 16 Youth Climate Activists, 16 Artists by Emma Reyonlds

Emma Reynolds's graphic novel shines a spotlight on sixteen incredible youth activists from around the world who are fighting to protect the planet and all life on Earth. From Autumn Peltier campaigning for clean water to Edgar Edmund Tarimo turning plastic waste into building materials—and many more—these inspiring true stories highlight the importance of taking charge and creating change.  Each activist's biography is illustrated by a different artist from around the world. With extensive backmatter including activist interviews on the power of community, and illustrations to explain the science - Drawn focuses on the need to centre Indigenous solutions and intersectional climate justice, and also speaks on how we need more artists to transform society and tell new stories about our future - allowing us to manifest them into reality. Drawn features Indigenous, Black, Latina, Asian, LGBTQ+, disabled and neurodivergent climate activists, illustrated by acclaimed artists from all over the world.

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Grade 7 collaborate, research, and write about one of the youth climate activist

Grade 6 could be read aloud particular passages and discuss as a whole class​

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Animals Care for Mother Earth Indigenous Learning Bundle

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Indigenous authors Terri Mack and Bill Helin wrote six contemporary, interrelated stories and supporting resources for teachers. In the first story, animals cooperate to clean up a polluted pond. In subsequent stories, they care for each other in the aftermath of the pollution problem, demonstrating strength of character and social responsibility. This book can be used in elementary schools to teach—through storytelling—the value of personal strengths and community supports while incorporating Tsimshian language and knowledge into classroom lessons. It also provides many opportunities to extend the learning to other curriculum areas, including science, math, reading, writing, social studies, and art.

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Grades P-3 science, math, language arts, social studies, visual arts

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Award winning books by Rochelle Strauss: The Global Ocean, One Well, and Tree of Life

These three books go beyond telling a story, they inspire conversation and encourage environmental stewardship. 

Strauss book have been published internationally, translated globally and incorporated into curriculum in the United States. 

P- high school Although the books are picture books for the older grades they could be used as a discussion starter for science, social studies, and language arts lessons.  

 

GARDENING

Gardens are a great way to introduce students of any age to the importance of the earth.  They will be using all their senses to interact with the garden, even taste if you grow vegetables!  Root in Nature's article 6 Growing Benefits of Therapeutic Horticulture for Children and Youth states: [Gardening] offers a variety of sensory experiences that wake up the senses—touching the soil, smelling the flowers, seeing the colors of the plants, hearing the sounds of nature, and sometimes even tasting fresh produce directly from the garden. These sensory interactions help sharpen focus, boost creativity, and increase awareness of the environment. Engaging with the garden in such an immersive way can help teens feel more connected to the natural world, sparking curiosity and a sense of wonder.

 

Root in Nature offers six benefits of gardening for children;

1. Digital detox - In addition to having children away from the screen, gardening also teaches patience shifting attention from the instant gratification of digital interactions to the gradual unfolding of life in the garden.

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2.Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-Being - Youth dealing with anxiety and emotional issues, such as eco-anxiety gardening offers a peaceful retreat. The hands-on work with soil and plants provides a special way for youth to express themselves without words, helping them explore and share their feelings in a supportive space.  It’s an immersive experience that can calm the mind and lift the spirit. 

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3. Physical Health and Sensory Engagement - It’s a gentle form of exercise that can be adapted to fit anyone’s needs, ensuring that everyone has the chance to participate and benefit from being active in the garden.

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4. Learning and Cultural Development - Gardening offers a variety of academics in a range of subjects.  For example gardening offers the science study of plants and ecosystems, the math study of measurement, the language arts study of reading directions and inspiring writing

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5. Social Skills - Everyone must work together for one common goal, growing the seeds to maturity.

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6. Environmental Responsibility - Gardening is a learning journey that teaches the importance of sustainability and biodiversity for keeping our ecosystems balanced. Starting these practices early helps nurture a generation that’s aware of environmental issues and dedicated to protecting our planet for the future.

 

Root in Nature offers a research data base and therapeutic horticultural courses, including ones for children, at a cost.  

 

In Nova Scotia I find gardens hard to manage because the growing season is in July and August.  As well, many of the schools in Halifax city are old and therefore do not have an outdoor faucet so getting water to the garden can be a challenge.  Many schools use a garden box to make this task manageable or grow plants inside.  However if you are new to teaching outdoors, a garden box might be a good first step and its environmental stewardship lessons will help with eco-anxiety in your students presently and in the future.  Here are some links to help you get started on gardening if you want. 

 

Kids Gardening Helping Young Minds Grow is a comprehensive site.  I have taken a webinar from this organization.  I have signed up to receive their e-newsletters.  The e-newsletters announce lesson ideas and grants for gardens!  One such lesson is a worm composting bin.  Perhaps if a garden is too big a task for you or your school how about a worm compost bin?

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CLIMATE ACTION

The David Suzuki Foundation offers a free Suzuki Superhero Challenge program for your students.  There are four challenges designed as lesson plans with limited materials needed so this program might be a good starting point to teach Right to Safe and Accessible Water, Right to Clean Air, Right to Nutritious Food, and Right to a Healthy Environment.

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Yo Yo Ma, a grammy award winning cellist and Pattie Gonia, an environmentalist drag queen, collaborated to write Won't Give Up.  It is a song about not giving up on this planet and not giving up on each other. They state climate justice and environmental justice are inextricably linked.  For more, please visit the Inclusion tab on this site.  On this tab CBC Listen's program What on Earth with Laura Lynch is mentioned.  She interviewed Wyn Wylie (Pattie Gonia) in 2025.  They spokes about inclusiveness for all even within the climate action movement.  

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The StarFish Canada delivers high-quality programming and workshops to schools and communities. They connect environmental changemakers through their Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 program, and give Canada’s youth a platform to make their voice heard through our Journal.  

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For educators please visit The Resilient Activist.  Although this site is not for students sometimes I will participate in a webinar designed for adults and learn something I can use as inspiration for a lesson.

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