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A Guide to Nature Walks

Elementary, Middle

Description

Nature Walks is a seasonal resource designed to help students build a deeper connection with the natural world. Organized around spring, summer, fall, and winter, each section combines science, creativity, mindfulness, and reflection. The guide introduces ecological conceptssuch as the properties of water in spring, energy in summer, leaf colour change in fall, and winter survival adaptations and pairs them with hands-on activities like poetry, drawing, leaf art, and sensory exploration. Each season also includes mindfulness practices, such as intentional walking or rest, along with reflection prompts that connect nature’s cycles to personal growth.

Students will:

  • reflect poetically about what they observe in nature
  • write in their journal to consider how they will nurture their own growth
  • use drawing to connect with aspects of nature in their area
  • take a seasonal mindful walk and use the five senses to notice seasonal changes
  • participate in a citizen science project, such as conducting a bird count
  • write a reflection on how winter landscapes and artwork inspire you

The guide is written in an accessible, flexible way that makes it adaptable across many grade levels. It is designed to be used at any time of year, or in any region of Canada.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

The resource encourages safe and respectful engagement with nature while fostering environmental stewardship. Organized around seasonal environmental themes, it supports sustainability projects, inquiry-based learning, and cross-curricular outdoor experiences. Best suited for Grades 3-8, the guide can be adapted for younger students through simplified sensory and creative activities (e.g., sensory walks, leaf collecting, simple drawings, guided reflections) and for older students through deeper research, reflection, journaling, and project-based learning. With curriculum links to science, geography, health, wellness, and the arts, it is a flexible resource that helps learners connect with themselves, their communities, and the outdoors.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity

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