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Conduct a Waste Audit
Conduct a school or class waste audit to see what is in the trash and help the school improve its sorting and reduce its waste production.
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Can We Live Together?
Encourage students to better understand the problems of sharing habitats with our wild neighbors and students will begin to think critically about humane solutions to conflicts between people and wildlife.
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Would I Really Do That?
Learn to differentiate between real wildlife behavior and anthropomorphic wildlife behavior in literature and begin to think critically about the nature of wildlife, consider the differences between wildlife and domestic animals, and foster an innate curiosity about urban wildlife from backyard to schoolyard and beyond.
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Robins: What’s My Life?
Learn about the life cycle of robins, a common neighborhood bird, to build a connection to, and comfort with, the urban wildlife in your community and the larger world.
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Who’s Sharing Our Space?
Instigate curiosity about wildlife by using motion-triggered cameras to observe the types of species that share your schoolyard site yet go unseen.
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Visit a Local Natural Area
Explore a local natural area for fun, learning, and connection!
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Create a Compost or Recycling Program
Create a compost or recycling program for your school or classroom.
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Sort Your Waste
Describe, sort and categorize waste items for recycling, composting, and landfill. Open up a conversation about why this is important.
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Take Action and Make an Impact
Take an action to make a positive impact or solve a problem. A youth-led, research-based framework teaches them civic engagement and empowers students to stand up for their rights and their environment.
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Research an Issue or Proposed Action in Sustainability
Research a political issue or proposed action that cuts across social, economic, and ecological systems and analyze pros and cons.
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Lifecycle of a Recyclable Product
Follow the life cycle of a common product (i.e. paper, plastic, aluminum) from manufacturing to use to recycling and visit a recycling waste management facility.
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Plant Dissections
Dissect a plant when it is mature to see basic structures and relate to functions.
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Understanding Agriculture
Develop models of the main practices for producing food and compare the impacts on land and other resource use.
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Comparing Life in Different Habitats
Compare the plants and animals in different habitats to show students the diversity of life and help them understand how it differs depending on the environment.
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Explore Sun, Shade and Shadows
Use the phenomenon of sun, shade, and shadows to demonstrate the passage of time and the basics of solar energy, or as inspiration for creative exploration of naturally occurring patterns.
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Bird Feeders
Place bird feeders outside of classroom windows. Research the needs of local species and see what comes to visit!
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Observing Lifecycles in the Classroom
Observe the life cycles of classroom animals and plants including ladybugs, painted butterflies, silk moths, mealworms, and Wisconsin Fast Plants (rapid radish/brassica).
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Natural vs. Human Seasonal Competition
Conduct seasonal comparisons of local natural/human environments and the activities of wildlife and people in the community.
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Silent Hike or Sit Spot
Students engage their senses through a silent hike or sit spot.
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Plant or Animal Stories and Poems
Write a story/poem about a connection with a special plant or animal.
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Identify Shapes and Patterns
Identify shapes and patterns in the shape of leaves from different trees, shrubs, plants and glasses around the school.
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Make a Field Guide
Make a field guide of common schoolyard wildlife and grasses/shrubs/trees.
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Identifying Flora and Fauna
Identify local flora and fauna to build a sense of place and knowledge of local ecosystems.
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Citizen Science
Participate in gathering data to help scientists around the world answer real questions about the natural world.
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Regular, Unstructured Time Outside
Regular, unstructured (child-led) time outside improves physical and mental well-being, enhances social-emotional learning, and builds' students connection to the outdoors. No lesson or instructions needed!
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Growing Plants Outside
Take care of living things, work with others, and build a sense of connection to the land, ecosystems, and food chain through a school garden. Older students can even use a garden to practice vocational skills!
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Plant Journals Over Time
Observe and journal about one plant in the garden over time.
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Tracking Changes Through Time
Learn about the seasons, plant phenology, the weather, etc. by recording changes you observe in the schoolyard or local natural area.
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Care for Plants and Animals
By helping to care for animals and plants, students learn to be sensitive to the needs of others and to engage in acts of service. As students get older, move from inside to outside and focus on the complex human responsibility to care for other living things.
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