Resources for Educators
Get Inspired About Nature Education
Brush With Nature
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Fall | Spring | Summer | Activity | Downloadable PDF
Brush with Nature pdf This educational article was written by our Executive Director, Jacob Rodenburg. Click the link above to learn more!
Read MoreHole Patrol: How Animals Keep Warm in Winter
Hole Patrol: How Animals Keep Warm in Winter Click the link above to learn more!
Read MoreHiding in Plain Sight
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Fall | Spring | Summer | Activity | Downloadable PDF
Hiding in Plain Sight Click the link above to learn more!
Read MoreNature Hammered Prints: A Smashing Good Time
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Spring | Summer | Activity | Downloadable PDF
Nature Hammered Prints Click the link above to learn more!
Read MoreGreen Teacher: A Pathway to Stewardship
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Pre-School | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Downloadable PDF
Green Teacher: A Pathway to Stewardship Click the link above to learn more!
Read MorePre/Post Camp Kawartha Visit Guided by “A Day in the Life of a Squirrel” Programming
At Camp Kawartha: Students live the life of a squirrel. From camouflaging to building nests, students participate in a variety of interactive games and role-playing activities that simulate seasonal changes over a year. (K-3) Curriculum Connections Science Curriculum Links – Life Systems: Kindergarten – Problem Solving & Innovation, Belonging & Contributing Grade 1 – Needs […]
Read MoreNCCIE Website
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Fall | Spring | Winter | Web Link
https://www.nccie.ca/ “First Nations University of Canada is the home of the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education, connecting communities with each other to share their stories about Indigenous education across Canada and around the world.” Very good lesson plans and resources for educators, students, and parents alike!
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha First Nations Awareness and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Visit
First Nations Awareness and Traditional Ecological Knowledge For thousands of years, First Nations sustained and nourished their cultures by harvesting what they needed on the land. They used plants and animals for medicine, for food, clothing and for building material. Their survival depended on having a positive relationship with the natural world. This ethic of […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha First Nations Awareness and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Visit
First Nations Awareness and Traditional Ecological Knowledge For thousands of years, First Nations sustained and nourished their cultures by harvesting what they needed on the land. They used plants and animals for medicine, for food, clothing and for building material. Their survival depended on having a positive relationship with the natural world. This ethic of […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Taming the Wildflower Visit
Taming the Wildflower With storytelling, a little detective work and dramatic movement, we help to generate enthusiasm for Ontario’s wildflowers. Students reenact how flowers are pollinated, how bees dance to find wildflowers, and by following a series of clues, students discover the beauty and diversity of 6 local species. Curriculum Links ARTS. Dance A1. Creating […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha Taming the Wildflower Visit
Taming the Wildflower With storytelling, a little detective work and dramatic movement, we help to generate enthusiasm for Ontario’s wildflowers. Students reenact how flowers are pollinated, how bees dance to find wildflowers, and by following a series of clues, students discover the beauty and diversity of 6 local species. Curriculum Links ARTS. Dance A1. Creating […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha “It’s not Dirt, it’s Soil” Visit
It’s not Dirt, it’s Soil! One cubic centimetre of soil contains more life than people on earth! Learn all about the creation of soil, the critters that inhabit it, and its importance in terrestrial ecosystems. Curriculum Connections Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Soils in the Environment assess the impact of soils on society and the […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha “Local Eats: The Importance of Healthy Food” Visit
Local Eats: The Importance of Healthy Food “The healthiest food” argued writer Wendell Berry “is the shortest distance from the Earth to your mouth.” In this program, children will learn where their food comes from through interactive and educational activities. They’ll visit our organic garden and solar straw bale greenhouse. Students will harvest fresh herbs […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha “Local Eats: The Importance of Healthy Food” Visit
Local Eats: The Importance of Healthy Food “The healthiest food” argued writer Wendell Berry “is the shortest distance from the Earth to your mouth.” In this program, children will learn where their food comes from through interactive and educational activities. They’ll visit our organic garden and solar straw bale greenhouse. Students will harvest fresh herbs […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha “Seeds and Seed Dispersal” Visit
Seeds and Seed Dispersal Some pop, some glide, some stick and many float in the air or on the water. Every spring we see that there is enduring evidence of our local plants’ ability to survive and spread in the vibrant new growth that carpets our forests and fields. How seeds travel merits closer investigation! […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha “Seeds and Seed Dispersal” Visit
Seeds and Seed Dispersal Some pop, some glide, some stick and many float in the air or on the water. Every spring we see that there is enduring evidence of our local plants’ ability to survive and spread in the vibrant new growth that carpets our forests and fields. How seeds travel merits closer investigation! […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha “Treeific: A Program about Plants and Trees” Visit
Treeific: A Program about Plants and Trees They provide an elegant and beautiful backdrop to our daily lives but few people stop and consider plants: the only living organism that can manufacture their own food and supply the world with oxygen. In this introduction to the world of plants, your students will learn about the […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha “Treeific: A Program about Plants and Trees” Visit
Treeific: A Program about Plants and Trees They provide an elegant and beautiful backdrop to our daily lives but few people stop and consider plants: the only living organism that can manufacture their own food and supply the world with oxygen. In this introduction to the world of plants, your students will learn about the […]
Read MoreEducator/Parent Book List
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Web Link
Wild Learning: Practical Ideas to Bring Teaching Outdoors – Rachel Tidd Offers practical and easy to implement activities that bring curriculum into the outdoors. Provides activities that can help educators overcome barriers to teaching outside. Activities are designed such that they are accessible to all teachers in diverse settings as well as for all students […]
Read MoreArchive of Outdoor Lesson Plans
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Lesson Plan
https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/toes/Resources/Get-Outside-Lessons A lesson plan archive for I/S and P/J educators.
Read MoreForest Guide
Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Downloadable PDF
https://assets.ctfassets.net/e09p19lzfrfe/t83CTB0hESKpY34nBzfe2/7cc969515e83513e033f66176e46c1b1/FO22_TEACHERS_TOOLBOX_FA_ONLINE.pdf A forest education guide/toolkit for parents and educators.
Read MoreEquitable Nature Access Toolkit
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Web Link
https://www.childrenandnature.org/resources/how-to-talk-with-kids-about-equitable-access-to-nature-a-toolkit-for-parents-and-teachers/ A toolkit on how to talk with kids about equitable nature access.
Read MoreTree Bee Website
Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Web Link
https://treebee.ca/ Tree Bee is a tree identification tool used to engage classrooms, families and communities in learning more about the trees and forests in their own backyards.
Read MoreNFB Website
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Web Link
https://www.nfb.ca/channels/the_green_channel/ A collection of Canadian films that provide “a close look at our world, the environment and sustainability.”
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Signs of the Seasons Visit
Seasonal transportation mouvement (this could be a full activity or a body break) Have the children mimic different styles of transportation depending on the season (ex: swimming in summer or skiing in winter). Have them observe how the different mouvements make them feel. Ex: is it funny trying to swim on land? Ski without snow? […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha Signs of the Seasons Visit
Clothespin view (from Discover Your School’s Better Nature) During the spring or fall, give your students a clothes pin and have them write their name on it. Clip your clothes pin to a tree bud during spring or clip it to a green leaf during late summer, just as the forests are about to change […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Natural Neighbours Visit
Poem “writing” Have your students explore and play within an outside area During this time walk around and talk to your student about what their neighbourhood/wood means to them/their favourite part/their role in the neighbourwood/hood Record the main themes/sentences As the teacher put this together as your class’ poem. Read : Jigging for Halibut with […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha Natural Neighbours Visit
Focused Exploration Provide the students with time to explore an outdoor area (ideally one they are less familiar with) Ask them to search for animal and bird signs – if possible ask the children to come back to you when they feel they have completed this task, if your students are not at this level, […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Honing in on Homes Visit
Exploring how to enhance habitat around us Utilizing lessons from the Camp Kawartha session Student-led exploration and discussion of the habitat in the school yard/outdoor space Collect ideas on a piece of chart paper – place this in the classroom – see over the course of the year how to action these items either fully […]
Read MorePre Camp Kawartha Honing in on Homes Visit
Build a fort Head outside with your class Use found materials (ex: leaves, sticks, cedar boughs on the ground) How would this provide us with shelter? Warmth? Comfort? Set up a bird feeder on a classroom window or in the school yard (as described in the book: Discover Your School’s Better Nature by Jacob Rodenburg) […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Hide and Seek: A Program about Camouflage Visit
Art Project: Draw yourself with colour – how do you change when you feel different emotions? How do different animals act when they are scared? Trying to find a mate? Nursing their babies? Etc.? Exploration Dice (as described in the book: Discover Your School’s Better Nature by Jacob Rodenburg) This is an activity that bounces […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Hide and Seek: A Program about Camouflage Visit
Art Project: Draw yourself with colour – how do you change when you feel different emotions? How do different animals act when they are scared? Trying to find a mate? Nursing their babies? Etc.? Exploration Dice (as described in the book: Discover Your School’s Better Nature by Jacob Rodenburg) This is an activity that bounces […]
Read MorePost Camp Kawartha Am I Alive? Visit
What can we see? Hear? Smell? Touch? Bring the children outside to whatever outdoor space you have access to. Engage the children in exploring what living (a) animals (b) plants (c) other living elements (d) non-living elements you can See? Hear? Smell? Touch? Let them be the guides. Brainstorm as a class other living things […]
Read MorePre-visit Activity: “Am I Alive?” Program
5 Senses Exploration Head outside with your students Sit/lie down in a circle: Close our eyes, focus on your breathing. What do we hear? What can we feel/touch? What do we smell? Can we taste anything on our tongues, does the air have a taste? We can ask these questions and have the children out […]
Read MoreHonourable Harvest Overview
Grade 01 | Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Kindergarden | Pre-School | Web Link
This article, The “Honorable Harvest”: Lessons From an Indigenous Tradition of Giving Thanks by Robin Wall Kimmerer, provides a detailed yet concise overview of the Honourable Harvest for those who may be less familiar.
Read MoreSpecies at Risk Public Registry Website Link
Grade 02 | Grade 03 | Grade 04 | Grade 05 | Grade 06 | Grade 07 | Grade 08 | Grade 09 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 | Fall | Spring | Summer | Winter | Web Link
This is a great resource for children to find Species at Risk that live in their neighbourhood, community, province, etc. A great starting point for projects and actionable initiatives. https://species-registry.canada.ca/index-en.html#/species?sortBy=commonNameSort&sortDirection=asc&pageSize=10
Read MoreGrade One and Kindergarten Book List
Check out some great book recommendations for Ages 4-6! Each title links to brief descriptions of the books on CBC I Hear You, Forest by Kallie George, illustrated by Carmen Mok Thunder and the Noise Storms by Jeffrey Ansloos & Shezza Ansloos, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley Treaty Words by Aimée Craft, illustrated by Luke […]
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Enjoying the Gifts of Winter, Naturally.
It is a cold December day. A delicate layer of frost edges the corner of each window and mounds of snow smooth over bushes and trees. Birds are huddled under eaves, fluffing their feathers, reminding you that winter is well and truly here.
Brush with Nature
Nature is full of complex curves, shapes, and lines: the sweep of a pine branch, a cascading waterfall, waves marching along a lake, or a rolling thunder cloud. To our eyes, the natural world may seem chaotic—a bold blend of colours, textures, and patterns. But a more careful look reveals just how intricate and lovely the shapes of nature are.
Touching the Earth – A conversation with Jacob Rodenburg & Drew Monkman
Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with two incredibly inspirational men who have dedicated much of their lives to engaging kids (and parents!) with nature. Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg have written The Big Book of Nature Activities. A year-round guide to outdoor learning.
Balsam Fir Motor Boat
You may be lucky enough to have balsam firs growing where you live, and if you do, you’ve got access to the tools to craft a resin-powered “motorboat” ready to zoom across any pond!
The Art of Stalking
If you’re like me, a walk through the woods is a loud affair. Stepping on sticks, squelching through mud, shuffling over dried leaves, and smashing through branches—whatever wildlife may have been hiding is long gone.
The Book of Nature Connection is Now Available
Executive Director, Jacob...