Making connections : elementary learning activities in, about and for the environment

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This guide is an adaptation of EcoSchools: Celebrating EcoSchools Festival Ideas (elementary) developed by the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The City of Toronto and the TDSB have donated this resource to the Ontario EcoSchools Program as part of an in-kind contribution to the project. Making Connections: Elementary learning activities in, about and for the environment is a collection of environmental learning classroom activities that help prepare students “with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and practices they need to be environmentally responsible citizens”.1 These ideas can be part of Step 5 - Celebrate Success - of the five-step process in implementing the Ontario EcoSchools program. While each activity can stand alone, it is hoped that an entire school will take an afternoon to celebrate with an environmental learning adventure, focusing on the theme of making connections. Developing students’ understanding about the connections between the Earth and their everyday lives is never out of season, so teachers are encouraged to use these activities whenever they have the opportunity to include them in their classroom teaching. The activities outlined in Making Connections provide an opportunity to contribute to the development of our students’ ecological literacy as they learn about ecosystems and environmental issues engage students in student-centered cooperative activities encourage students to identify their connections to the Earth provide an opportunity for students to go outside solicit cognitive and emotional responses to activities allow students an opportunity to reflect on their learning through discussion and journal-writing. .

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Summary Note

This guide is an adaptation of EcoSchools: Celebrating EcoSchools Festival Ideas (elementary) developed by the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The City of Toronto and the TDSB have donated this resource to the Ontario EcoSchools Program as part of an in-kind contribution to the project. Making Connections: Elementary learning activities in, about and for the environment is a collection of environmental learning classroom activities that help prepare students “with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and practices they need to be environmentally responsible citizens”.1 These ideas can be part of Step 5 - Celebrate Success - of the five-step process in implementing the Ontario EcoSchools program. While each activity can stand alone, it is hoped that an entire school will take an afternoon to celebrate with an environmental learning adventure, focusing on the theme of making connections. Developing students’ understanding about the connections between the Earth and their everyday lives is never out of season, so teachers are encouraged to use these activities whenever they have the opportunity to include them in their classroom teaching. The activities outlined in Making Connections provide an opportunity to contribute to the development of our students’ ecological literacy as they learn about ecosystems and environmental issues engage students in student-centered cooperative activities encourage students to identify their connections to the Earth provide an opportunity for students to go outside solicit cognitive and emotional responses to activities allow students an opportunity to reflect on their learning through discussion and journal-writing. .

General Note

"Ontario ecological literacy resource."
Available online at: http://www.ontarioecoschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Making_Connections.pdf.

Content Note

Connecting with our actions: a million year picnic -- Building bird feeders with recycled materials -- Food chains: the sun powers all! -- Connecting with habitats: home sweet home -- Creating a mini-forest -- Water water everywhere -- Ecosystems in action: web of life -- Ecological footprints: human wants and needs 40 affecting the Earth -- Embodied energy: the life of fruits and vegetables -- Interpretive hikes -- Connecting to the everyday things in our lives -- connecting school issues and action opportunities -- Stakeholders and perspectives: force field analysis.