At-home education resources from Learning for a Sustainable Future
WELCOME!
In these uncertain times, we know the roles of both parents and teachers have changed. In addition to the global challenges we're all experiencing, many are now encountering the challenge of keeping kids engaged and learning at home. Learning has been turned inside out!

To support parents and teachers, LSF is curating this weekly collection of activities drawn from our Resources for Rethinking (R4R) database, so you can be confident they have been vetted by teachers and connected to Canadian education outcomes, wherever you are.

While we want to support learning both inside and out, we're putting a special emphasis on outdoor activities. While we always encourage outdoor learning to help kids develop an affinity with the earth, now is a particularly good time to step outside. Experiencing nature can have a positive effect on mental health for both kids and parents—something we could all use, I'm sure! (However, please remember to observe any and all social distancing practices in place in your area!)

We hope you and your kids will find the activities accessible, interactive, and engaging.

Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) is a Canadian charity with over 25 years of experience working within the education system. Our Resources for Rethinking (R4R) database is an award-winning collection of resources that are peer-reviewed by certified teachers and connected to curriculum in all provinces and territories. R4R is recommended on many Ministry of Education websites.

About Learning Inside Out

Below you will find a selection of activities, broken down by various grade levels. These guides will be released weekly and archived on our Learning Inside Out page , so you can always access the full catalogue.

All activities have been modified from resources on our R4R database, simplified and adapted for at-home learning as needed. The activity descriptions below should contain all the information and links that you need!

If you'd like to view the full original resource on R4R, including curriculum connections for every province/territory, click the activity title.

We want this guide to work for you, so your feedback is invaluable to us.
Use the feedback button at the bottom of this Guide, or email us at info@LSF-LST.ca .

Step Outside™ Nature Activities
Week 1: Spring Awakenings

LSF's Step Outside Nature Guides highlight flora, fauna and climate events happening in your neighbourhood right now (or maybe a little sooner or later, depending on where you are in the country).

The Late March guide is all about Spring Awakenings: Plants, Birds and Bugs . It's full of links to learn more about plants and animals, invasive species, and more! Step outside with your kids today and see what nature is up to.
A note: we understand that access to the outdoors is highly dependent on circumstance, now more than ever due to social distancing practices. Whether you currently have access to a green space, your own backyard, or even just the view outside your window, we hope you will be able to connect with nature in some way through these activities, while respecting the social distancing practices in place in your area!
In your back yard or around the neighbourhood, you may have noticed some early growth from planted bulbs such as crocuses and snow drops , and ‘weeds’ like Birdseye Speedwell . Track these signs of spring with a First Blooms Calendar! Your young scientists will practice their observation skills, learn more about plants, and flex their creativity.

What do you think of the First Blooms Calendar activity?
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This resource provides a series of activities focused on pollinators. The activities can include nature or neighbourhood walks, research, crafts, and more:
  1. Observe like a scientist
  2. Pipe cleaner pollination
  3. Design your own flower
  4. Design your own pollinator
Bonus Activity: Pollinator-friendly planting

What do you think of the Nature's Partners activity?
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Watch this TED Talk by Louie Schwartzberg, creator of the film "The Hidden Beauty of Pollination." Together, come up with a list of questions the video made you think of. Then research the answers!



For example:
  • How did plants and pollinators co-evolve?
  • How does the decline in pollinators impact us?
  • What is causing the pollinator decline and what can we do about it?
What do you think of the Hidden Beauty of Pollination activity?
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Virtual connection is more important than ever—share your learning with us using #LearningInsideOut and don't forget to tag LSF!
Let us know how this helped your learning & teaching from home experience and what you'd like to see more of by filling out our brief feedback form!
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And please share with any parents or teachers in your life!
Learning for a Sustainable Future
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4700 Keele St
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