Curriculum links to Ontario EcoSchools program
Elementary Curriculum Links
This resource outlines how the EcoSchools program connects to The Ontario Curriculum. The six sections of the certification program are outlined below highlighting the most relevant ties to the curriculum. The sun (
) indicates sections that have more detailed curriculum links listed in the following pages. The
links outlined in this resource are not exhaustive, teachers are encouraged to seek out ways to incorporate the environment into all subjects across all grades.
Developing student leadership links strongly with Language and
The Arts as well as Learning Skills and Work Habits
Teamwork and Leadership
Energy Conservation
Grade 1
Grades 5 & 6
Science and Technology + Health and Physical Education
Science and Technology + Mathematics
Waste Minimization
Grade 1
Grades 7 & 8
Science and Technology + Health and Physical Education
Science and Technology + Mathematics + Geography
School Ground
Greening
Curriculum
Grade 3
Grade 6
ALL Grades
Science and Technology
Science and Technology + Health and Physical Education
Every grade links to learning In, About, and For the environment. Use EE Scope and Sequence to find links to all grades:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/environ18curr.pdf
Environmental
Stewardship
ALL Grades
Environmental campaigns bring real-world context into the
classroom. There are strong links to Language and The Arts.
See links to specific campaigns on following pages.
Legend
Energy Conservation
Indicates links to Walkabout Worksheet (2.10a, 2.10b)
Indicates links to completing EcoReviews (2.1- 2.9)
GRADE Underlined Grades show strong connections to this section
FDK
Sci. and Tech.
Elementary Curriculum Links
(3.3) Identify ways in which they can care for and show respect for the environment
(3.4) Participate in environmentally friendly activities in the classroom and the school yard
(1.1) Identify personal action that they themselves can take to help maintain a healthy enviro. for living things
GRADE 1
Sci. and Tech.
(1) Assess uses of energy at home, at school, and in the community, and suggest ways to use less energy
Energy in Our Lives
(1.1) Describe their own and their family’s uses of energy; suggest ways to reduce personal energy consumption
Health + Phys. Ed.
(A1.1) Actively participate in a wide variety of program activities...turning off lights...
GRADE 2
Mathematics
DATA MGMT + PROBABILITY— In this strand, the collecting of data could be extended to include
environmental issues. This strand is also found in GRADES 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
GRADE 3
Language
Oral Communication: (2.7) Use a variety of appropriate visual aids to support or enhance oral presentations
GRADE 5
GRADE 6
Sci. and Tech.
(1) Analyse the immediate and long-term effects of energy and resource use on society and the environment,
and evaluate options for conserving energy and resources; suggest ways to reduce these impacts
Conservation of Energy and
Resources
(3) Demonstrate an understanding of the various forms and sources of energy and the ways in which
energy can be transformed and conserved
Sci. and Tech
Electricity and Electrical Devices
(1.2) Assess opportunities for reducing electricity consumption at home or at school that could reduce
the impact of electricity generation on the environment
(1.1) Assess the social and environmental benefits of technologies that reduce heat loss or transfer
GRADE 7
GRADE 8
Sci. and Tech.
Heat in the Environment
Sci. and Tech.
Systems in Action
Mathematics
(1.2) Assess the environmental and economic impacts of using conventional (e.g., fossil fuel) and alt.
forms of energy (e.g., geothermal, solar, wind)
(1) Assess the personal, social, and/or environmental impacts of a system, and evaluate
improvements and/or alternative ways of meeting the same needs
DATA MGMT + PROBABILITY — Make inferences and convincing arguments that are based on the
analysis of charts, tables, and graphs
Legend
Indicates links to contamination tracking (3.11) and/or waste audit (3.12)
Indicates links to completing EcoReviews (3.1– 3.10)
GRADE Underlined Grades show strong connections to this section
Waste Minimization
Elementary Curriculum Links
(3.3) Identify ways in which they can care for and show respect for the environment
FDK
Sci. and Tech.
(9) Participate in environmentally friendly activities in the classroom and the school yard
(1.1) Identify personal action that they themselves can take to help maintain a healthy enviro. for living things
Sci. and Tech.
GRADE 1
Materials, Obj., and Everyday
Structures
Health + Phys. Ed.
GRADE 2
DATA MGMT + PROBABILITY— In this strand, the collecting of data could be extended to include
environmental issues. This strand is also found in GRADES 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Mathematics
Sci. and Tech.
GRADE 3
(2.4) Investigate the process of composting, and explain some advantages and disadvantages of composting
Soils in the Environment
Oral Communication: (2.7) Use a variety of appropriate visual aids to support or enhance oral presentations
Language
Sci. and Tech.
GRADE 5
Prop. of Changes in Matter
Cons. of Energy and Resources
Sci. and Tech.
GRADE 7
Interactions in the Enviro.
(1.2) Assess the social and environmental impact of using processes that rely on chemical changes to produce
consumer products...and make a case for maintaining the current level of use of the product or for reducing it
(1.1) Analyze the long-term impacts on society and the environment of human uses of energy and natural
resources... reusing or recycling products, or using fewer products, conserves natural resources and energy
(3.8) Describe ways in which human activities and technologies alter balances and interactions in the enviro.
(1) Assess the impacts of human activities on the environment, and evaluate ways of controlling these impacts
(2.2) Design and construct a model ecosystem (e.g., a composter) and use it to investigate interactions
Geography
Natural Resources
GRADE 8
(1.1) Identify the kinds of waste produced in the classroom, and plan and carry out a classroom
course of action for minimizing waste
(A1.1) Actively participate in a wide variety of program activities
Sci. and Tech.
Systems in Action
Mathematics
(OE) Describe positive and negative ways in which human activity can affect resource sustainability/enviro.
(OE) Communicate geographic info about the distribution, use, and importance of natural resources
(1) Assess the personal, social, and/or environmental impacts of a system, and evaluate improvements and/or alternative ways of meeting the same needs
DATA MGMT + PROBABILITY— Make inferences and convincing arguments that are based on the
analysis of charts, tables, and graphs
Legend
Indicates links to student engagement (4.1) and/or regular use (4.6) of SGG
Indicates links to maintenance (4.4) and care of SGG projects
GRADE Underlined Grades indicate strong connections to this section
JK/SK
GRADE 1
GRADE 2
GRADE 3
Pers. Dev.
Health + P.E.
Sci. and Tech.
(8) Participate actively in creative movement and other daily physical activities
(8) Demonstrate an awareness of local natural habitats through exploration and observation
(1.1) Identify personal action that they themselves can take to help maintain a healthy enviro. for
living things … (show care and concern for all living things)
Needs and Chrcts. of Living Things
(2) Investigate needs and characteristics of plants and animals, including humans
Sci. and Tech
Air and Water in the Environment
Growth and Changes in Plants
Elementary Curriculum Links
(1.7) Identify people who work in the community, and talk about what they do—Wider school community (4.2)
Sci. and Tech.
Sci. and Tech.
School Ground Greening
(1.1) Assess the impact of human activities on air and water in the environment and plan a course of
action to help keep the air and water in the local community clean
(1.2) Assess the impact of different human activities on plants, and list personal actions they can
engage in to minimize harmful effects and enhance good effects
(1) Assess human impacts on biodiversity, and identify ways of preserving biodiversity
GRADE 6
Sci. and Tech.
Biodiversity
Health + Phys. Ed
Sci. and Tech.
GRADE 7
Interactions in the Environment
Health + Phys. Ed
GRADE 8
Health &
Physical Education
(1.1) Analyse a local issue related to biodiversity...propose action that can be taken to preserve
biodiversity, and act on the proposal
Daily physical activity (DPA): (A2.1) (hiking...orienteering). Also connects to GRADES 1,2,3,4,5,7,8
(2) Investigate interactions within the environment, and identify factors that affect the balance between
different components of an ecosystem; (2.2) design and construct a model ecosystem
(3.9) Describe Aboriginal perspectives on sustainability and describe ways in which they can be used...
(A1.1) Actively participate in a wide variety of program activities, according to their capabilities
(e.g., … outdoor pursuits)
(A1.2) Demonstrate an understanding of factors that contribute to their personal enjoyment of
being active…(activities in a natural environment…)
(A1.3) Demonstrate an understanding of factors that motivate personal participation in physical
activities every day
Legend
GRADE
Environmental Stewardship
Underlined Grades indicate strong connections
to this section
Elementary Curriculum Links
Gr. 1: Sci. and Tech.
Walk/Ride to School
Earth Day/Week
Energy in Our Lives
Gr. 2: Health + P.E.
Gr. 2: Social Studies
Energy in Our Lives
Gr. 5: Sci. and Tech.
Cons. of Energy and Resources
Clean Up
Gr. 1: Health + P.E.
Gr. 6: Sci. and Tech.
School wide
Organics
Citizen Science
Local Food
(OE) Participation in UN celebrations (e.g., World Water Day, Earth Day) can lead
to an appreciation of the environment and can help students become engaged
(1) Analyse the...effects of energy and resource use on society and the environment, and evaluate
options for conserving energy and resources; suggest ways to reduce these impacts
(A1.1) Actively participate in a wide variety of program activities…(outdoor activities)
Biodiversity
Bottled
Water-Free
(C1.1) Demonstrate an understanding of practices that enhance personal
safety in the ...outdoors (...walk to school)
(1) Assess uses of energy at home, at school, and suggest ways to use less energy
Gr. 1: Sci. and Tech.
Earth Hour
(1.1) Identify personal action that they themselves can take to help maintain
a healthy enviro (...walk to school)
(3.7) Explain how invasive species...reduce biodiversity in local environments
Gr. 5: Sci. and Tech.
Human Organ Systems
Gr. 8: Sci. and Tech.
Water Systems
(1.1) Assess the effects of social and environmental factors on human health, and propose
ways in which individuals can reduce the harmful effects
(3.3) Explain how human and natural factors cause changes in the water table… (bottled water)
(1.1) Evaluate personal water consumption...propose a plan of action to reduce
Gr. 3: Sci. and Tech.
(2.4) Investigate the process of composting, and explain some advantages and disadvantages
Soils in the Environment
(2.2) Design and construct a model ecosystem (e.g., a composter) and use it to investigate
Gr. 7: Sci. and Tech.
Interactions in the Enviro.
Gr. 2: Sci. and Tech.
Growth and Change in Animals
Gr. 3: Health + P.E.
Understanding Health Concepts
(2.5) Investigate the ways in which...animals adapt to their enviro and/or to changes
(C1.1) Demonstrate an understanding of how the origins of food (e.g., where the food is grown,
how it is made) affect its nutritional value and environmental impact