This session explores a new Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario (STAO)/OTF curriculum resource which has been designed to create engaging science and technology activities that increase elementary students’ interests in the areas of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The resource provides teachers with suitable hands-on activities to foster this interest. Effective strategies for integrating Environmental Education into the Junior Level Science and Technology program are also demonstrated through this session and within the resource. Links to the revised Social Studies curriculum are included. The resource package may be accessed on the STAO website or using the links below.
Audience: Junior
Resources:
- Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario
- Connecting to the Natural World Junior Intermediate Curriculum Resource components:
- Connecting with the Natural World Grades 4-6 General Overview (.docx or .pdf)
- Grade 4 – Rocks and Minerals Activities (.docx or .pdf)
- Grade 4 – Habitats and Communities Activities ( .docx or .pdf )
- Grade 5 – Conservation of Energy and Resources Activities (.docx or .pdf )
- Grade 6 – Biodiversity Activities (.docx or .pdf )
- Assessment for Outdoor Learning (.docx or .pdf )
- Resources (.docx .pdf )
- Ministry of Education resources:
- Environment education
- Acting Today, Shaping Tomorrow policy document
- Shaping our Schools, Shaping our Future working group report (The Bondar Report)
- Ready, Set, Green!
- Environmental Education Scope and Sequence
- First Nation, Métis, Inuit (FNMI) policy framework
- FNMI Teacher toolkit – has some great ideas, though it is outdated in relation to the Social Studies History Geography Grades 1-6 Revised (2013) curriculum
- Richard Louv: The Last Child in the Woods (Nature Deficit Disorder)
- Forest School (outdoor school)
- Natural Curiosity website (developed through a project at OISE)
- Play-based learning
- Lifecards app (makes digital postcards)
- Book Creator (iPad or Android) (can export as a pdf for sharing)