Delivery of In-school Component
When
students believe that they have a significant role to play,
their confidence grows, their engagement increases, and their
enthusiasm leads all of us to a more sustainable way of life.
- Curriculum Alignment
- Youth Engagement
- Connection with the Child's World
- Developing the Whole Student
- Communication and Celebration
Curriculum Alignment
Aligning EarthCARE with The Ontario Curriculum expectations from K-11
brings exciting activities into the classroom and gives teachers the tools
to develop environmental stewardship in all of us. Links to relevant websites
and opportunities for curriculum enrichment are provided. Visit our Resources
Section to view some of these links as well as a detailed list of
print and video resources relating to energy, conservation, and environmentalism.
Youth Engagement
Young people's enthusiasm, energy and commitment to making a difference are key to the success of the program and to our ability to live sustainably on our planet.
The EarthCARE program is specifically designed to leverage the greatest untapped resource on the planet; our young people. EarthCARE engages young people through discovery-based activities, which require their ingenuity, leadership, creativity, sensibilities, and energy to transform our habit patterns, our behaviours, our attitudes and our communities. Student-led action is a key goal of this program.
When students believe that they have a significant role to play, their
confidence grows, their engagement increases, and their enthusiasm leads
all of us to a more sustainable way of life.
Connection with the Child's World
The EarthCARE program takes a developmental approach to increasing student learning and awareness about the environment. In early elementary levels, students are encouraged to focus on "me and my family". As they progress into late elementary school their focus is "me, my family, my classroom and my school". In middle school, the focus is "me, my family, my classroom and my community". Finally, in high school the focus is on "me, my family, my school, my community and my world".
EarthCARE starts with a strong foundation at the personal and family level
and moves outward in concentric circles through the class, school, community
and eventually into the world providing a gentle and powerful path to
understand how everything fits together and how we are all connected.
| K-3 |
4-6 |
7-8 |
9-12 |
| My family and me |
My school and me |
My Community and me |
My world and me |
Activities in the EarthCARE program reflect this developmental approach. With each grade level of learning, the program deepens the students' connections to the world around them.
EarthCARE starts with the child in the centre of concentric circles
and grows out - activities reflect the stages of development.
Visit the Lessons & Activities
Section to see and download sample EarthCARE lesson plans
and activities.
Developing the Whole Student
This holistic design encompasses the knowledge, skills, values, and
perspectives of the environmental, social, and economic aspects that make
up sustainability. EarthCARE inspires youth to engage themselves and the
stakeholders they see around them in an effort to live sustainably.
Literacy: Students will acquire knowledge and skills in reading
and writing including skills in questioning, investigating, critical thinking,
problem solving, and decision-making. They will be able to apply what
they have learned to other studies, work, leisure, daily living and a
lifetime of learning.
Aesthetic Appreciation and Creativity: Students will be sensitive
to the aesthetic dimension of the natural and human world, develop flexible,
imaginative ways of thinking, and participate in creative activity and
expression.
Communication Skills: Students will express themselves clearly,
listen to others responsively, and communicate effectively using
a variety of technologies. They will work cooperatively with
others to achieve mutual understanding of common goals.
Information Management: Students will be able to find meaning
in our world's vast information resources. They will identify needs, conduct
research and seek solutions using a variety of sources, strategies and
technologies. They will evaluate and apply their findings to make sound
decisions and to take responsible actions with stakeholders.
Stewardship: Students will value the diversity and the interdependence
of the world's people, cultures, and ecosystems. They will understand
and actively promote equity, justice, peace, the democratic process, and
the protection of the environment in their own community, Canada, and
the world as they exercise their role as an environmental steward. Make
a commitment to help your community.
Personal Development - Life Skills, Values and Actions and Thinking
Styles: Students will care about the physical, emotional and spiritual
health of themselves and others. They will pursue healthy, hopeful, purposeful
lives and meaningful relationships. They will possess basic skills and
good work habits, deal effectively with stress and change, they will understand
different ways of approaching problems and appreciate the value of another's
contribution and make wise choices for the sustainable future of our globe.
Scientific Knowledge and Technology: Students will develop skills
in problem solving, research and communications. They will work on real
activities for real value. They will make connections between the subject
materials and what happens at home, in their communities and the world.
They will work with on-line resources and contribute to resolutions to
genuine issues.
Accountability: Setting individual, class and school
goals for improving our habits, conserving electricity and water,
and reducing our waste, is an exciting opportunity. We will
have a chance to measure the results, map the successes and
share our stories with each other. Teaching students to take
responsibility for their actions by involving them in experiential
activities helps them to see the results and has a huge impact,
not only on them, but also on all people with whom they are
in contact. Successful stories of conservation and reduction
impact families, schools, communities, and ultimately, our planet
will be achieved.
Communication and Celebration
It is our belief that many stakeholders in the school boards are already exhibiting the behaviours that EarthCARE promotes and encourages.
What we need to do is to communicate our stories, share our experiences and celebrate the results in order to make those actions a common occurrence in all schools, by all stakeholders.
EarthCARE seeks to celebrate the role we all play in the development of a sustainable style of living. We believe we should make a difference, live with respect for the planet, and make a meaningful contribution. Often times however, we are unaware of the small changes we can make that will impact in a positive way. Communication and celebration of exemplary behaviours from the EarthCARE program will go a long way to increasing our awareness of the great things we are already doing and some examples will lead us farther along the path to environmental stewardship.
