Elementary School Activities

These activities are for children aged 5 to 10. We have included an Indigenous perspective on each activity to help understand our responsibility in caring for Nature.

Animal Adaptations and Survival
Objective: To help children understand how animals adapt to their environment and the importance of these adaptations.
Materials: Pictures or videos of animals in various environments, drawing materials.
Description: Discuss different animal adaptations (e.g., camouflage, hibernation, migration). Children can then draw animals with unique adaptations suited to their environments. They can work in small groups to create skits or short stories based on how these adaptations help the animals survive and thrive in their habitats.
Indigenous Perspective: Share stories of animal spirits from Indigenous cultures, such as how the bear teaches patience, or how the eagle shows the importance of vision and perspective. These stories teach how animals are not only essential to the ecosystem but also convey life lessons and wisdom.

The Web of Life
Objective: To introduce the concept of interconnectedness in nature and the importance of every living being.
Materials: String or yarn, small animal and plant figurines or images.
Description: In a circle, each child holds one piece of string. One by one, each child says something that represents an animal, plant, or aspect of nature (e.g., "a tree," "a deer," "a river"). After each name, the child tosses their piece of string to another child, creating a web. Discuss how each part of the web relies on the others. Introduce the idea of "reciprocity" — how humans and animals must work together in balance for the ecosystem to thrive.
​Indigenous Perspective: Highlight the Indigenous worldview of "All My Relations," where all beings — human, animal, plant, and spirit — are considered relatives and equal participants in the web of life. This activity aligns with many Indigenous teachings that emphasize respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all life.

Animal Tracks and Stories
Objective: To help children understand the role of animals in nature and how they connect with their surroundings.
Materials: Animal track stencils, natural materials (leaves, twigs), paper, crayons.
Description: Children use stencils or create animal tracks using their hands and feet to make prints on paper. Afterward, they research or listen to stories about the animal (drawing on Indigenous teachings and stories). They then share what they learned about the animal’s role in its ecosystem, discussing how this animal interacts with the plants, other animals, and the land.
Indigenous Perspective: Teach students how Indigenous cultures view animals as teachers and guides, each with its own lessons for people. For example, the Wolf is often considered a teacher of cooperation in many Native traditions.

Nature's Voice Listening Walk
Objective: To encourage students to connect with the natural world by listening and observing.
Materials: Quiet outdoor space (schoolyard, park, etc.), paper for drawing.
Description: Take the children on a nature walk where the goal is to quietly listen to the sounds of nature: the wind, birds, rustling leaves, etc. After the walk, students sit together and discuss what they heard and saw, and draw pictures of the natural elements they encountered. They are then encouraged to talk about how each sound and sight might be interconnected in nature.
Indigenous Perspective: Emphasize the importance of listening to the earth and the wisdom that nature offers, a common teaching in Indigenous cultures. Encourage children to view the natural world as a source of wisdom, not just something to observe passively.

Planting Seeds of Change
Objective: To teach children about the life cycle of plants and their role in the ecosystem.
Materials: Seeds (flowers, vegetables, or trees), small pots, soil, watering cans.
Description: Each child plants a seed in a small pot and is responsible for nurturing it over time. As the plant grows, they learn about the role plants play in the ecosystem—producing oxygen, providing food for animals, and stabilizing soil. The class can have discussions about how plants are connected to other living beings, including humans.
Indigenous Perspective: Teach the principle of "honoring the plants," which is central to many Indigenous cultures. For example, the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) are considered sacred in many Native American cultures, and they grow in harmony with each other, illustrating the importance of cooperation and balance.