NEAR Resources
Embedded Files
Addressing Climate Change /Eco-Anxiety Resources
Addressing Climate Change /Eco-Anxiety Resources
"It's like, the ice caps are melting and my hypothetical children will never see them, but also I have a calculus test tomorrow" - Student quote from Washington Post article: The Environmental Burden of Generation Z
HDSB Eco-Anxiety Lesson Outline
Eco-anxiety is extreme worry about current and future harm to the environment caused by human activity and climate change. It is important to support students as they learn about environmental issues and climate change, and the anxious feelings that may accompany this learning. The HDSB has put together resources for both Elementary and Secondary classrooms which contains lesson plans, book titles, and mental health supports.
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe - Saving Us
In the fall of 2021, HDSB and Halton Environmental Network worked together, as part of the Halton Climate Collective Reads, to bring Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a Canadian climate scientist and author of "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World" to over 550 HDSB Students for a livestream interactive event. Read the book with your students, view the recording of the livestream event, and/or check out Dr. Katharine Hayhoe's YouTube Channel "Global Weirding" to help inspire students to become agents of change!
"Bringing Your Classroom Outside" Resources
"Bringing Your Classroom Outside" Resources
See our "Past Programs" page for Nature's NEAR created resources & activities
COEO - Outdoor Learning Tips
The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO) created an educator tip sheet for teaching and learning outside - a great place to start! Join their electronic newsletter
LSF - Learning for a Sustainable Future
LSF has a large resource database to help educators integrate sustainability into the classroom. We recommend signing up to receive their Step Outside Nature Guides!
Outdoor Learning Store
The Outdoor Learning Store provides easy access to outdoor learning equipment and resources. They offer amazing free outdoor learning workshops in partnership with many outdoor partners. Listen to their podcast "Earthy Chats" wherever you listen to podcasts!
Take Me Outside
Participate in Take Me Outside Day on October 19, 2022! Filled with great activities, speakers, and prizes! Join their learning challenges, workshops, conferences and more and make the outdoors a regular part of your teaching practice!
Green Teacher
HDSB staff & students have unlimited, free access to over 400 articles and activities from most recent issues of the magazine and webinars. All of which have been catalogued to find more easily. Listen to their podcast "Talking with Green Teachers" available wherever you get your podcasts!
EVERGREEN CANADA
Access Evergreen's collection of free curriculum-connected resources, lesson plans, and more in their easy to use searchable database.
iNaturalist / Seek
When outdoors, you will 100% discover things you know absolutely nothing about - and that's okay! iNaturalist is an app that can help you identify and learn more about the plants and animals around you while contributing to community science! Seek is the kid-safe app (no registration or data collected).
Ontario Society for Environmental Education
OSEE is a Subject Association for all educators, both formal and non-formal, who are interested in integrating environmental topics into their teaching practice.
Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature
By Jon Young, Ellen Haas, & Evan McGown.
Building core outdoor routines is an important step towards creating a successful outdoor classroom. "The Coyote's guide lifts the lid off the mind of a mentor to reveal what happens behind-the-scenes, and offers dozen of activities, stories, songs and games for anyone wanting to connect with nature
How to Teach Nature Journaling
By John Muir Laws & Emilie Lygren
A powerful way to connect art, science, math, and critical thinking with the natural world while sparking curiosity. This teacher-friendly book combines curriculum plans, practical advice, and in-the-field experience to effectively connect journaling to educational standards. Available as a free PDF.
The Big Book of Nature Activities
By Drew Monkman & Jacob Rodenburg
Comprehensive guide for anyone wanting to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate, and connect with the natural world. Filled with activities, informations, stories, and games to take learning outside!
Project WILD Activity Guide
By Canadian Wildlife Federation
Since 1984, Project WILD has been a go-to resource for educators across Canada. They also created a winter guide called "Below Zero." Based on educational standards, developed by scientists, and reviewed and field-tested by educators, it's complete with 146 lesson plans that can be adapted for any age, grade or subject. CWF offers interactive workshops/training sessions to integrate their guides.
Indigenous Resources
Indigenous Resources
HDSB Best Practices in Including Indigenous Content in the Curriculum
A document created to support HDSB educators when including Indigenous content in the curriculum. It is important to become familiar with this.
UNDRIP
A United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. There are excellent connections that can be made in class to Indigenous rights on a daily basis. It is important to be familiar with UNDRIP.
FNMIEAO
First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario (FNMIEAO) supports and helps educators understand issues related to First Nation, Métis & Inuit Peoples in Canada as well as offer strategies for teaching this content to all learners. HDSB staff have a login account.
TRC Calls to Action
The 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action Report.
Braiding Sweetgrass
A book by botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer who beautifully describes her life as an Indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman. She braids together Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants in a way that will give you a whole new appreciation and perspective on the world around you.
Making the Outdoors More Inclusive Resources
Making the Outdoors More Inclusive Resources
Race and Nature in the City: Engaging Youth of Colour in Nature-Based Activities
A community-based needs assessment report for Nature Canada by Jacqueline L. Scott & Ambika Tenneti. This report provides an evidence-based, community-informed needs assessment and makes recommendations for meaningfully engaging racialized communities in nature and nature-based programming in urban areas.
Jacqueline L. Scott is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, OISE, in the department of Social Justice Education. She leads Black History Walks in Toronto and is a hike and bike leader with two outdoor clubs who is working to make the outdoors a more welcoming and inviting space for Black people.
This is a working list. Feedback and suggestions are welcome!
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