Most Popular Tools & Resources
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These weather-resistant closed-cell foam sit pads are comfortable and easy to carry. They fit in a student backpack, making it easy for educators to move students into a comfortable learning space outdoors. They stay pliable in cold weather to keep your students comfortable. Please note: If students pick at these, or if they are rubbed on very rough surfaces, this will decrease the life of the sit pad. For a more durable option, check out our more durable and recycled sit pad. "Easy to carry around and access while outside. Kids can carry outdoor learning seats easily with a clipboard." - Teacher, Southeast Kootenay School District 5 Ethical Elements: Options for repurposing sit pad. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We knew we had to find a good quality but affordable sit pad if we wanted to open an outdoor learning store. After years of cutting up foam camping pads, we found this one! Way more comfortable than a camping pad, and we've tested this one in all conditions, and have had great feedback. -
Help your students focus in on the incredible world of the small! This 3x magnifier is large, durable and user-friendly for all ages. The magnifiers are sourced from a local supplier (see below). Read more about our ethical policies & practices. Keep track of your magnifiers by adding a lanyard to make this a hands-free carry-and-go item for your students. The Inside Scoop: It kills us to see those cheap plastic magnifiers that schools tend to use that get so scratched up. As a result, after months of looking for a magnifier that was durable, strong, scratch resistant and super user-friendly for all ages, we found one right under our noses! Our friends Jaye & Shelli carry this one at their local office supplies shop. And Jaye knows something about strength... he is a Canadian Paralympian for track cycling! Check him out here... Lanyards are sold separately:- We offer an Every Child Matters lanyard with a breakaway function. These are designed by Strong Nations in collaboration with Algonquin artist Don Bonner. It features the message "Every Child Matters" and a feather design.
- We also offer an Explore Your World lanyard with a ‘breakaway’ function is made from organic cotton, so have been grown without pesticides from plants that have not been genetically modified. They are exceptionally soft and 100 percent biodegradable.
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Lightweight and rubber-coated, 10x32 National Geographic binoculars are a perfect observation tool for young nature explorers.- Lightweight and compact
- 10x magnification
- 32mm lens diameter
- 315ft field of view at 1000 yards
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"Fabulous resource to get your kids outside for more than just “a walk” but a walk with purpose and relevance! Great read for educators wanting to embrace outdoor education." - School District 47 Principal Accompanying (Free) Resource: Walking Forward: Indigenous Perspectives in Learning from Place Accompanying Resource: Playing in the Muck and Other Art Activities: Imaginative Art Activities for The Walking Curriculum The Inside Scoop: Gillian has been such a fantastic & enthusiastic person to work with! She conveys her ideas succinctly with clarity, and we were thrilled to be able to work with her on piloting our first ‘Earthy Chat’s podcast! (see below) -
This lanyard with a 'breakaway' function is made from organic cotton, so have been grown without pesticides from plants that have not been genetically modified. They are exceptionally soft and 100 percent biodegradable. They feature outdoor learning images and sayings such as 'Explore Your World' and can be paired with our handheld field magnifier. -
This lanyard with a 'breakaway' function was designed by Strong Nations in collaboration with Algonquin artist Don Bonner. It features the message "Every Child Matters" and a feather design. This can be paired with our handheld field magnifier. If you order these together we will attach them when they go out to you. -
An Integrated K-8 Guide for Discovering Science, Ecology, and Whole-Systems Thinking
The School Garden Curriculum offers a unique and comprehensive framework, enabling students to grow their knowledge throughout the school year and build on it from kindergarten to eighth grade. From seasonal garden activities to inquiry projects and science-skill building, children will develop organic gardening solutions, a positive land ethic, systems thinking, and instincts for ecological stewardship. The book offers:- A complete K-8 school-wide framework
- Over 200 engaging, weekly lesson plans – ready to share
- Place-based activities, immersive learning, and hands-on activities
- Integration of science, critical thinking, permaculture, and life skills
- Links to Next Generation Science Standards
- Further resources and information sources.
- A model and guide for all educators, The School Garden Curriculum is the complete package for any school wishing to use ecosystem perspectives, science, and permaculture to connect children to positive land ethics, personal responsibility, and wonder, while building vital lifelong skills.
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These lightweight & affordable backpacks allow each student to store & transport their outdoor learning equipment & resources. The size of main pouch is 45cm high x 32.5cm wide x 25cm deep. Straps can be manually adjusted for length. They are suitable for grades 3+ (including teachers!) but can be adjusted to make shorter for younger/smaller students. Care Instructions: Hand wash in cold water with like colors. Hang or lay flat to dry only. Do not machine wash, do not machine / tumble dry. Do not bleach. Ethical Elements: Made from recycled pop bottles, and sourced for a socially ethical supplier. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: After looking at dozens of options, this one rose to the surface as one that was affordable, modelled sustainable practices, fit a variety of ages, and have an adequate volume. And we were very pleased to work with a company that has very high ethical standards to source this! Are your Basic Backpack straps a little long for the little ones? Never fear! The straps are incredibly easy to adjust! Watch how below! -
Standard mesh dip nets are perfect for collecting small fish, tadpoles, and aquatic invertebrates. This net features a rigid vinyl-coated twisted wire handle that can be bent if required. If blue nets aren't available due to high demand, we will send red nets instead unless you indicate otherwise in your order notes. The Inside Scoop: We looked high and low for months for a basic aquatic dip net that was affordable and available in the quantities that we'd require. In the end, our friends at WildBC were able to direct us to a company that's in our area, and is great to work with! -
Our clipboards are durable, weatherproof, and made from recycled plastic! This easy-to-write-on surface provides a simple option for turning the outdoors into your classroom. 🙂 "The plastic clipboards are a game changer for outdoor ed." - Teacher, Southeast Kootenay School District 5 Ethical Elements: Made from recycled plastic, and sourced from a company that has exceptionally high social and environmental standards. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: After looking high and low for a recycled clipboard, we were so glad to find this one with a local company with such high standards. While a bit higher cost than run-of-the-mill clipboards, we know it won't disappoint! -
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer's beloved bestselling book has been adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish, and is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience. This new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo), Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults will help provide educators to bring Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation. "A book to grow up with and grow into." Every high school English, Social Studies, Biology and History Department should have copies of this book available. Not to mention every Library, Youth Group and Family with teenaged children. Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrates how all living things—from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen—provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. This new version will provide the essence of this book in a way that better engages young adults. 304 pages -
Sit pads are a great tool for transitioning your learning outdoors year-round. This one is extra comfy, easy to carry, and the exterior is made from waterproof 600 Denier Polyester with PVC backing and filled with soft, shredded, recycled foam. Due to the larger size, it is recommended for educators and older students (grades 4+). Ethical Elements: The padding for these sit pads is repurposed foam that would otherwise be discarded. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: More durable than our basic sit pad, and more affordable than our enhanced sit pad, this easy-to-carry outdoor seat is also stuffed full of recycled materials! -
Take your class on a tracks and traces wildlife scavenger hunt! This Animal Tracks & Traces Guide provides a beautiful simplified field reference to the tracks, signs, and scat of over 65 familiar North American species. It also features a ruler and and is laminated to provide weather resistance. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
Sale!
Pre-orders are available again!
With the popularity of the first print-run, we are working on a second print run now. We anticipate to be able to ship these mid-April. If you are ordering other items at the same time, please indicate in the 'order notes' field at check-out if you would like these shipped ahead - otherwise we will wait to ship everything together to save on shipping costs. Working with syilx apprentice knowledge keeper, Krystal Withakay (spaxwawlm), the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Parks Services produced this guide Central Okanagan: Guide to Common Plants and Animals (suqinaq̓inxʷ tmxʷulaxʷ : tmíxʷ uł yayat əts p̓lal), in English and nsyilxcən (where possible). Nsyilxcən is the language spoken by syilx Okanagan people. This guide covers the territory of the the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx / Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. It is laminated to make it weatherproof and is printed on 100% recycled paper. To help with language pronunciation, you can use the guide on this page. $1 from every guide is directed to the Syilx Language House, and any remaining proceeds go back to supporting non-profit outdoor learning initiatives. We also offer a number of other Indigenous Learning Resources that are made available on the recommendation of Indigenous advisors and partners, and through Indigenous organizations, authors and creators. You are welcome to include other items in your order, and we can ship everything out together when these guides arrive to save you $$ on shipping. Or you can put in two separate orders - one for these guides, and a second for other resources, and we will ship separately. Please note that the image shown here is a draft, and the final version may look slightly different. -
This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of beetles, bugs, spiders, flies, aquatic insects and everything in-between. It also identifies the differences between different types of invertebrates, the eight major groups of insects and tips on identifying species in the field. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
The familiar Monarch butterfly is one of over 5,000 species of butterflies found in the diverse ecosystems of North America. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 70 familiar and unique species and includes information on their life cycle and features illustrations of common caterpillars and pupae. This convenient guide is an ideal, portable source of practical information and ideal for field use by educators and learners alike. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages - teacher tested & approved! 🙂 -
These journals feature all-weather & recyclable writing paper that sheds water and enables you to write with a pencil anywhere, in any weather conditions. A versatile option for any conditions that Mother Nature throws at you! Colours: We have access to both yellow and green, but access to colours varies considerably from our supplier and so we will provide you with the colour available at the time of order. Ethical Elements: Recyclable paper. Offered in partnership with Take Me Outside, a Canadian non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and facilitating action on nature connection and outdoor learning in schools across Canada. 50% of the proceeds of this go to Take Me Outside Canada. The Inside Scoop: We know that writing outside can be a limiting factor for outdoor learning, especially in the rainy season! So we were thrilled when our friends at Take Me Outside got in touch with a solution. We know that this will help many to take their learning outside, despite the varied weather our country offers us! -
This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects and other invertebrates, trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by naturalists of all ages. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
This small pocket sized field guide titled '?a-kxam̓is q̓api qapsin' (All Living Things) features 23 common BC plants, including beautiful colour images, their description, habitat, and traditional uses by the Ktunaxa people (British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Washington). Ethical Elements: This resource is offered in partnership with the Ktunaxa Nation Council which has the vision of having strong, healthy citizens and communities, speaking their languages and celebrating who they are and their history in our ancestral homelands, working together, managing their lands and resources, within a self-sufficient, self-governing Nation. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. Pages 51 -
This fascinating guide reviews the status of the world’s top pollinators, how they are built, behave and reproduce in the wild and in managed colonies. It also highlights some of the most familiar and unique species and what you can do to help conserve and protect these important creatures. This convenient guide is an ideal, portable reference for educators and learners of all ages. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages – teacher tested & approved!
Most Recently Added Tools & Resources
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Dragonflies and damselflies are large-winged insects that are usually found in the vicinity of water. Impressive fliers – they can fly forward, backward, glide and hover -they feed on insects they capture on their wing. Despite their large size and prominent jaws, they are harmless to humans and do not bite. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 70 familiar and unique species and includes information on their life cycle and features illustrations of common caterpillars and pupae. This guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by naturalists of all ages. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by educators and learners. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar & Unusual Species of Spiders! Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by educators and learners. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
Join Alfred Joseph and Mara Nelson for 12 weeks of Foundational Ktunaxa Language Learning. Learn the sounds, words and some history of the Ktunaxa Language. This course is designed for you to garner skills that will enable you to carry Ktunaxa Language forward to your classrooms, in schools and on the land.- 12 x 90 minute language learning sessions on zoom
- Recorded and shared in case you can’t make all of the sessions
- Dates: Sept 18, 25 / Oct 2, 16, 23, 30 / Nov 6, 13, 20, 27 / Dec 4, 11
- $315 for all 12 sessions (includes GST)
- $252 for CBEEN Members (includes GST) - Use this code at checkout: CBEENKtunaxa2023
- $0 for Ktunaxa Nation Members - Use this code at checkout: Ktunaxa2023
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NEW! Walking Together: Two-Eyed Seeing children’s book is now available!
This innovative picture book introduces readers to the concept of Etuaptmumk—or Two-Eyed Seeing, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaw language—as we follow a group of young children connecting to nature as their teacher.
A poetic, joyful celebration of the Lands and Waters as spring unfolds: we watch for Robin's return, listen for Frog's croaking, and wonder at Maple tree's gift of sap. Grounded in Etuaptmumk, also known as Two-Eyed Seeing—which braids together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing—and the Mi’kmaq concept of Netukulimk—meaning to protect Mother Earth for the ancestors, present, and future generations—Walking Together nurtures respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships with the Land and Water, plant-life, animals and other-than-human beings for the benefit of all. ELDER DR. ALBERT D. MARSHALL is from the Moose Clan of the Mi'kmaw Nation, Eskasoni First Nation in Unama'ki-Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. A fluent speaker of Mi'kmaw, he has brought forth the concept of Etuaptmumk / Two-Eyed Seeing which honors the strengths of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing for the benefit of all. LOUISE ZIMANYI, who is of French-Canadian and Hungarian descent, lives as a guest in Tkaronto/Toronto, Treaty 13 territory. As a professor and researcher, she is co-learning from and with the Land and wise teachers, co-transforming early childhood pedagogy and practice. EMILY KEWAGESHIG is an Anishnaabe artist and visual storyteller whose work captures the interconnection of life forms using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods. She creates artwork that highlights Indigenous knowledge and culture. Emily is from Saugeen First Nation in Ontario, Canada. -
In this beautifully illustrated book, a determined young Anishnaabe girl in search of adventure goes on a transformative journey into a forest on her traditional territory. She is joined by a chorus of her ancestors in red dresses, who tell her they remember what it was like to be carefree and wild, too. Soon, though, the girl is challenged by a monster named Hate, who envelops her in a cloud of darkness. She climbs a mountain to evade the monster, and, with the help of her matriarchs and the power of Thunderbird, the monster is held at bay. Together the young girl and her ancestors beat their drums in song and support, giving the girl the confidence she needs to become a changemaker in the future, capable of fending off any monster in her way. Together We Drum, Our Hearts Beat as One is a moving and powerful book about Indigenous resistance and ancestral connection. Author Willie Poll is a proud Metis from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, who who has spent the last ten years working in Indigenous education. She is very passionate about supporting Indigenous youth to reach their dreams and reclaim their power. Together We Drum, Our Hearts Beat as One is her first book. Willie is presenting as part of our Every Child Matters - 4 Seasons of Reconciliation learning initiative. Illustrator Chief Lady Bird is an Anishinaabe artist/illustrator from Rama First Nation. She graduated from OCADU in 2015 with a BFA in Drawing and Painting and a minor in Indigenous Visual Culture. She is the illustrator of Nibi's Water Song by Sunshine Tenesco and has illustrated for Audible, Vice, and Twitter, among others. -
31 hands-on field activities to connect art, science, math, and critical thinking, while encouraging students and mentors alike to recognize and record the wonder and beauty in the natural world.
Expanding on the philosophy and methods of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren have developed the first-ever comprehensive book devoted to helping educators use nature journaling as an inspiring teaching tool to engage young people with wild places. In their workshops Laws and Lygren are often asked the how-tos of teaching nature journaling: how to manage student groups in the outdoors, teach drawing skills (especially from those who profess to have none), connect journaling to educational standards, and incorporate journaling into longer lessons. This book puts together curriculum plans, advice, and in-the-field experience so that educators of all stripes can leap into journaling with their students. The approaches are designed to work in a range of ecosystems and settings, and are suitable for classroom teachers, outdoor educators, camp counselors, and homeschooling parents. Full-color illustrations and sample journal pages from notable naturalists show how to put each lesson into practice. Field-tested by over a hundred educators, this book includes dozens of activities that easily support The Common Core and The Next Generation Science Standards—and, just as important, that will show kids and mentors alike how to recognize the wonder and intrigue in their midst. -
As young readers journey into the natural world, they will discover that numbers, patterns, shapes — and much more! — can be found in everyday plants and animals. In this series, nature comes to life to help children grasp concepts of geometry, symmetry, and spatial sense. Titles include:- Counting on Fall
- Sizing Up Winter
- Sorting through Spring
- Shaping Up Summer
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This is a beautiful collection of 4 resources by authors and educators, Gillian Judson, Heidi Wood and Adelle Caunce. Use these books to enhance your engagement, creativity, connectivity and curiosity in learning outside! -
192 pages. For educators of learners 3-8 years old. Published in 2022. Recommended by our Accessibility and Inclusion Consultant, Karen Lai. PLEASE NOTE: Due to high demand it will take us 2-3 weeks to get this title out to you. Young children with special needs often face physical, emotional, or social barriers to deep engagement with the natural world. These challenges need not prevent them from enjoying the many benefits nature has to offer. Nature is a necessity. Research tells us that we are happier, healthier, more socially engaged, and more creative when it is part of our daily lives. These benefits apply to people of all ages and abilities. In this inspiring book, Dr. Ruth Wilson explores the great potential of connecting young children with special needs to the natural world. Drawing on her knowledge of research and her decades of work with children in nature, she weaves together advice, real-life examples, and testimonies from educators and families on the healing, nurturing power of nature in the lives of young children with diverse abilities. In addition to exploring the role of nature in our lives, chapters include information on:- Nature as a teacher and play partner
- Nature for holistic development
- Nature as a healer
- The importance of risk-taking
- Horticultural therapies
- Animal-assisted therapies
- Nurturing connections between children and animals, plants, and habitats
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A Game of Hope and Action for the Climate
Solutions was designed with educators in mind. Each solution card played requires students to actively engage with the solution, thinking critically and discussing it with their peers. Students will be having so much fun, they won’t realize they’re learning! Solutions is more than just a game: it is a learning experience for your students. After playing, students can pick their favorite solution and turn it into a real-world project. Our sample curriculum will guide you through using the game in your classroom, or provide inspiration for crafting the experience as you see fit. The curriculum includes a lesson plan and sample projects to give your students a starting point.
Each copy of Solutions can be played by more than 8 players if needed. However, we recommend keeping games to 8 to encourage participation by all students. The sweet spot for student engagement is 4-6 players. This is a great number to keep each student maximally engaged in every discussion and reduces the likelihood that shy students feel left out.
How many games do I need for my classroom?
Ages 12+. The discussions that different age groups have while playing Solutions vary in complexity, but the value in sparking discussions and creativity remains the same. We have successfully tested the game with elementary, high school, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students. What age students can play the game?
We’ve designed a ‘Short Mode’ specifically for teachers with tight schedules and short classes, which generally takes 30-45 minutes if students have read the rulebook as homework. If you have a longer class, the normal game takes 60-90 minutes, which lets students see more solutions and have more discussions. Please note that these time estimates are based on the average group. Because this is a discussion-based game, playing time can vary depending on how much time your students take for discussion. If students are engrossed in having long discussions, it is up to your discretion whether or not you hurry them along. However, in our experience, allowing these deep discussions can be more valuable than finishing the game. If time is running out, you can instruct students that the game will end on an earlier turn. How long does it take to play?
There are some wonderful educator resources included, developed with ClimateScience. This lesson plan will:
Includes a FREE Lesson Plan!- Guide you on integrating the game into your classroom
- Help you teach students the minimum background knowledge required to play the game
- Inspire you to use the game as a starting point for homework, class projects, and extracurricular activities
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Sale!
Pre-orders are available again!
With the popularity of the first print-run, we are working on a second print run now. We anticipate to be able to ship these mid-April. If you are ordering other items at the same time, please indicate in the 'order notes' field at check-out if you would like these shipped ahead - otherwise we will wait to ship everything together to save on shipping costs. Working with syilx apprentice knowledge keeper, Krystal Withakay (spaxwawlm), the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Parks Services produced this guide Central Okanagan: Guide to Common Plants and Animals (suqinaq̓inxʷ tmxʷulaxʷ : tmíxʷ uł yayat əts p̓lal), in English and nsyilxcən (where possible). Nsyilxcən is the language spoken by syilx Okanagan people. This guide covers the territory of the the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx / Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. It is laminated to make it weatherproof and is printed on 100% recycled paper. To help with language pronunciation, you can use the guide on this page. $1 from every guide is directed to the Syilx Language House, and any remaining proceeds go back to supporting non-profit outdoor learning initiatives. We also offer a number of other Indigenous Learning Resources that are made available on the recommendation of Indigenous advisors and partners, and through Indigenous organizations, authors and creators. You are welcome to include other items in your order, and we can ship everything out together when these guides arrive to save you $$ on shipping. Or you can put in two separate orders - one for these guides, and a second for other resources, and we will ship separately. Please note that the image shown here is a draft, and the final version may look slightly different. -
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer's beloved bestselling book has been adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish, and is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience. This new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo), Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults will help provide educators to bring Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation. "A book to grow up with and grow into." Every high school English, Social Studies, Biology and History Department should have copies of this book available. Not to mention every Library, Youth Group and Family with teenaged children. Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrates how all living things—from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen—provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. This new version will provide the essence of this book in a way that better engages young adults. 304 pages -
This beautiful resource book is back, and this time we are the publishers! This large-format paperback contains over 50 of the best teaching strategies and activities contributed to Green Teacher during the past decade! This provides a wealth of kid-tested ideas contributed by educators from across North America, covering a wide spectrum of environmental topics and presenting a large diversity of practical projects and learning strategies. While the book focuses on helping kids develop a strong connection with the natural world, there are many articles that focus on the social and global aspects of our environment. The book is attractively designed and organized, and, for each article and activity, the editors have identified appropriate grade levels, subject areas, key concepts, skills, and materials. The hands-on projects and learning strategies are sure to inspire all educators who are seeking innovative ideas for incorporating green themes into their programs. 240 pages -
This resource for educators was designed to serve as a complete “green” teaching resource for those working with middle school-aged youth. Readers will find a wealth of kid-tested ideas contributed by educators from across North America and covering a wide spectrum of environmental topics, from biodiversity to resource consumption to green technology. They include practical projects and new learning strategies that will inspire educators seeking innovative ideas for incorporating green themes into their programs. Pages: 240 -
This is an ideal resource for anyone working with young people in Grades 9-12. Richly illustrated, it offers teaching strategies that promote learning about natural systems and foster critical thinking about environmental issues, both local and global. It contains new approaches to learning, strategies for living sustainably, and numerous activities that promote interdisciplinary learning. In addition, the book provides suggestions for greening individual subject areas, developing integrated learning programs, and replicating exemplary programs already created by innovative schools and communities. Pages: 226 -
Sale!
The FoodCycler is an indoor compost alternative which transforms food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer (we call 'foodilizer') for the garden. In 4-6 hours, this compost food recycler will reduce food waste volume and weight by up to 90%, leaving a dry, odourless and sterile by-product which can be safely handled by students and teachers. The FoodCycler provides authentic, hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages, which can be easily connected to curriculum. It can be used to complement units of study on solid waste (i.e., food waste, waste reduction). It can activate research into the science of decomposition or an inquiry into the benefits of compost. Use the fertilizer from the FoodCycler to amend soil for your indoor plants or school gardens and watch them flourish! By using a FoodCycler, you are keeping food waste out of landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% vs. sending it to the landfill. You also reduce wildlife attractants, and create a useable material to put into your school garden. The FoodCycler is:- quiet
- compact
- odourless
- easy to use
- energy efficient
- 1 x FoodCycler FC-30
- 1 x Removable Grinding Bucket
- 1 x Deodorizing Bucket Lid
- 1 x Instructional Guide
- Educational Support Materials for Schools
- Designed to eliminate odours during food cycling
- Threaded filter tops for easy twist-open, twist-closed functionality
- Includes enough carbon for 5 refills (at least 1 year of food cycling)
- Replace both filters’ carbon at the same time for maximum filtration
- After use, carbon can be applied directly to your garden!
- FoodCycler Overview
- Congratulations on your new FoodCycler!
- Félicitations pour votre nouveau FoodCycler!
- FoodCycler Learning & Action Kit
- Le kit d'apprentissage et d'action FoodCycler
- Vermicomposting & School-Based Composting: Learn about decomposition and how your FoodCycler turns food scraps into fertilizer!
- Reduce Your Food Waste: Use the FoodCycler to audit and significantly reduce your school’s food waste.
- Pollinator Garden & Grow a Food Garden: Use your FoodCycler by-product to nourish bee-friendly plants or grow vegetables in a food garden!
- Indoor Gardening & Greenhouses: Nourish your indoor plants by incorporating your by-product into their soil – or start new seeds with by-product and fresh soil!
Reduce Your Food Waste resources:EcoSchools Resource: Other Helpful Tools and Resources:For Schools: Teacher FAQ's:- Food Matters Action Kit (Commission for Environmental Cooperation) - English / French
- Taking stock: Reducing food loss and waste in Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada) - English
- The avoidable crisis of food waste - Road Map (Second Harvest) - English
- Food waste resources (Waste Reduction Week in Canada) - English / French
- Love Food Hate Waste (National Zero Waste Council) - English / French
- Ontario: Food Waste resources (Sustain Ontario) - English / French (option at the top right of the English page)
- Ontario: Food Waste Audit Guide (Ontario Food Collaborative) - English
- How long is the warrantee? The FoodCycler comes with a standard 1-year manufacturer warrantee.
- How much power does it use per cycle? The processing time is about 4-8 hours and uses less than >0.8kWh
- Have you verified that this would accommodate the amount of organic waste that a classroom would produce in a day? We recommend running the cycle after snack time and then after lunch to accommodate the food waste.
- In the winter months in cold climates do teachers just collect this into a larger bin, say a garbage bin with a lid, and then do you dig it in garden beds in the spring when the ground has thawed? You can bin the by-product during the winter months and use it for your garden in the spring.
- Has this been found to be a wildlife attractant, or is the smell reduced enough? Can you leave it in a bin outside without risk of wildlife being attracted? Many of our pilot partners are from small rural areas where they do not have a green bin collection service and cannot compost due to the fear of attracting bears and other animals. They have not had an issue with attracting animals with the by-product of the FoodCycler!
- What is the recommended amount that this be added to the soil? We recommend adding 1-part foodilizer (the by-product generated by the FoodCycler) to a minimum of 10 parts soil. You can add more foodilizer over time.
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Get up close with nature with our 2-Way Nature Viewer! Place an object into the viewer and see the magnified image top & bottom (bottom view from the side). Learning about nature, including aquatic invertebrates, is fun, easy, and clear. “The two-way nature viewer is the ideal tool for making close observations of living and non-living things both in the classroom and out in nature! My students come alive with wonder and curiosity when they use these magnifiers to observe rocks, sticks, flowers, insects and even aquatic invertebrates using this magnifier (it has a shallow lip that can contain water). It is durable, easy to pack up and bring along on our learning adventures!” – Teacher, Rocky Mountain School District -
Lightweight and rubber-coated, 10x32 National Geographic binoculars are a perfect observation tool for young nature explorers.
- Lightweight and compact
- 10x magnification
- 32mm lens diameter
- 315ft field of view at 1000 yards
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Sale!
This kit includes 8 curated books accompanied by resources & equipment to support a K-7 soil inquiry outdoors!
This kit includes book specific lesson sparks, guiding questions, and curricular connections for playful explorations of soil in your school garden or school yard. It supports student learning across the curriculum, with a specific focus on how soil is different from dirt, and the importance of soil in our daily lives. This kit was curated and created by teachers Megan Zeni and Sarah Regan. Megan and Sarah are job share partners teaching entirely outdoors in a K-7 garden classroom. Megan shares their experiences of outdoor play and learning on Instagram and Twitter at @roomtoplay. Reduced Shipping Prices: Shipping prices have been lowered significantly since launching this kit - if you abandoned your order because of the high price, please try again! 🙂 This kit includes:- 8 curated picture books that support playful exploration of soil (see list below)
- 10-page PDF that includes a conceptual overview with lesson sparks and guiding questions for each book on a recycled & waterproof clipboard
- 1 Soil Thermometer
- 1 Waterproof Seed Starting Tray
- 1 Paper Seed Pot Maker
- 3 Magnifying Boxes
- 1 Compost Viewer
- 3 Sets of Hand Tools (3 x Trowel, Cultivator, Transplanter)
- 3 Soil Collection Jars
- 2 Handheld Field Magnifiers with 'Explore Your World' Lanyards
- 3 Recycled Drawstring Backpacks (made from recycled pop bottles!) to hold it all
- What’s Sprouting in my Trash by Ester Porter
- The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain and Yuval Zommer
- Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
- My Mud Kitchen is Rad by Allison Bakkum
- Compost Stew: An A-Z Recipe for Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
- Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman
- Exploring Soils: A Hidden World Underground by Samantha Grover
- Dirt: The Scoop on Soil by Natalie Rosinsky
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70 Sensory Activities for All Ages!
The Book of Nature Connection is a brand-new resource packed with fun activities for using all our senses to engage with nature in a deep and nourishing way. It is a fantastic resource for educators, camp and youth leaders, caregivers and parents. Author, Jacob Rodenburg (nature sommelier) is an award-winning educator, executive director of Camp Kawartha, a summer camp and outdoor education center, and instructor in environmental education at Trent University. He has taught more than 100,000 students and is co-author of The Big Book of Nature Activities. From "extenda-ears" and acorn whistles to bird calls, camouflage games, and scent scavenger hunts, enjoy over 70 diverse, engaging, sensory activities for all ages that promote mindfulness and nature connection. With activities grouped by the main senses – hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste – plus sensory walks and group games, The Book of Nature Connection is both a powerful learning tool kit and the cure for sensory anesthesia brought on by screen time and lives lived indoors. Whisper in birds, be dazzled by nature's kaleidoscope of colors, taste the freshness of each season, learn to savor the scented world of evergreens, hug a tree and feel the bark against your cheek. Spending time in nature with all senses tuned and primed helps us feel like we belong to the natural world – and in belonging, we come to feel more connected, nourished, and alive. 128 pagesRegister to join us for a FREE virtual workshop with Jacob!
