In the pages that follow, you will find: An introductory lesson, which gets students outside exploring their schoolyard; Six cross-curricular lessons, each comprising indoor and outdoor components, reflection questions, taking-it-further suggestions, and community connections. A concluding lesson, though which students will internalize their explorations and interconnections with nature. We strongly encourage you to start with the introductory lesson, as it sets the tone for all those to come. Even if you can’t complete all the lessons, be sure to wrap up with the conclusion lesson. We also encourage you to explore the Taking it Further suggestions — they offer great opportunities for student empowerment and sharing with family and friends. In designing the lessons, we preferred activities that are fun, hands-on, and thought provoking. We encourage you to combine the information in this guide with other resources that you find relevant to the needs of your students. To reduce the footprint of this resource and your classroom, please use projectors and Smartboards when possible to share background information. This educational guide is aligned with Acting Today, Shaping Tomorrow, the Ontario Ministry of Education’s policy framework for environmental education.

Introduction -- How to use this guide -- Key concepts -- About David Suzuki -- Lessons described -- LESSONS: Lesson 1 Introductory lesson: Exploring your schoolyard -- Lesson 2 Air -- Lesson 3 Animals -- Lesson 4 Plants -- Lesson 5 Soil -- Lesson 6 Sun -- Lesson 7 Water -- Lesson 8 Concluding lesson: A celebration of nature -- HANDOUTS: Handout 1 KWL strategy -- Handout 2 RAN strategy.