humane education advocates reaching teachers Archives

Two Apples

In this icebreaker, participants learn just how important words and actions are when they explore their impact on two apples. Grades: PreK – 8Time: 5-10 minutesRelated IHE Resources: Where Are the People Like Me?

The Wonder Box

The 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. The Wonder Box can…

Mouse vs. Zucchini

A Lesson on Perspective This activity encourages students to discover and think about the perspectives of other people and of nonhuman animals using a brief video featuring a mouse and a zucchini on a kitchen counter. Recommended grades: K-5Time: 30 minutes Related IHE Resources: Council of All Beings

Not Enough Homes: Adding Up the Pet Overpopulation Problem

This activity helps young students hone their basic math skills while learning about pet overpopulation. Recommended grades: K-5Time: 60 minutes IHE Related Resources: How’d That Get on My Plate?, Mouse vs Zucchini

What Will You Say?

At the end of your very long life, a child asks you what you did to help make the world so much better. Guide students through this visualization to help them get in touch with their power to make positive change. Recommended grades: 6 and upTime: 10-20 minutes

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

A lesson on stereotypes and snap judgments Help students explore and reflect upon their snap perceptions of others and show how stereotypes can limit receptivity. Grades: 6 and upTime: 20-30 minutes Related IHE Resources: Alien in the Ethical Universe, A Moment in Your Shoes

I Think Therefore I Act

Based on the Privilege Walk, this activity encourages students/participants to develop an awareness of the kinds of choices we make every day that impact other people, nonhuman animals, and the environment. Recommended Grades: 9 and upTime: A few class periodsRelated IHE Resources: The Solutionary Guidebook

Wonder Walk

Participants take turns leading each other on a silent Wonder Walk to discover the natural world with their five senses. Recommended for all agesTime: 30 minutesRelated IHE Resources: Natural Value

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. What is true price? The price that would cover all costs in the production process, including hidden costs, with a small profit margin…

Trash Investigators

A lesson on waste 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 upTime: 30 minutes Related IHE Resources: Gulf of Mexico Solutionary Unit, True Price, Pretty Mindful