Whale breaching the ocean's surface

Whale’s Stomach

Students learn about the impact of our “throwaway society” by exploring all the different kinds of trash found in a whale’s stomach.

Recommended grades: 3-8
Time: 15-45 minutes

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Resources: True Price

True Price

A lesson on the true cost of goods The true price activity helps students explore the positive and negative impacts of our product choices on themselves, other people, animals, and the earth.

Grades: Recommended for grades 4 and up
Time:(2) 45-minute class sessions

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plastic trash washed up from the ocean

An Ocean of Plastic

Using the five gyres of plastic pollution as a springboard, this activity encourages participants to explore the issues surrounding trash in our oceans and to develop solutions.

Recommended grades: 3-5
Time: 3 to 4 60-minute sessions

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wonder box

The Wonder Box

he Wonder Box is used to hold a collection of various natural, found objects (shells, leaves, feathers, rocks, twigs, deceased insects, etc.). Students can interact with the objects, inspecting them, using their five senses, drawing/sketching, painting, a picture of the object(s), writing a poem, listing describing words, creating a story, etc.

Recommended grades: PreK-5
Time: 20 minutes and then ongoing

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Resources: Trash Investigators

Trash Investigators

What’s in our trash that doesn’t need to be there? Participants investigate a trash source and analyze which items can be removed from the waste stream.

Grades: 4 and up
Time: 30 minutes

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Educating for Sustainability: An Interview with Jaimie Cloud

Introduction: Jaimie P. Cloud is the founder and president of the Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education in New York City. The Cloud Institute is dedicated to the vital role of education in creating awareness, fostering commitment, and guiding actions toward a healthy, secure, and sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations. The Cloud Institute…

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Integrating Humane Education into the High School Classroom: An Interview with Mike Farley, M.Ed.

Introduction: Mike Farley has been teaching middle and high school Geography and Environmental Studies for 20 years in the Toronto District School Board and currently at University of Toronto Schools. Over the past decade he has explored animal protection with his students, including running virtual field trips to animal sanctuaries during the pandemic. Mike is a frequent presenter at conferences…

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Water Issues

Wildlife Issues

Find suggested books, websites, articles, videos, lesson plans, activities and other resources on wildlife conservation, habitat, and protection issues to help you learn and/or teach about this topic. Curated by the Institute for Human Education.

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fracking

Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)

Fracking has been in the news quite a lot the past few years. Find news stories, lesson plans, videos, and other resources to help you learn and/or teach about issues related to fracking. Curated by the Institute for Humane Education.

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