Ontario's Elementary Curriculum outlines the curriculum requirements and specific learning expectations throughout each of the elementary years.You can find all the learning outcomes for Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, History/Geography, The Arts, Health, and Core French for each grade from 1-8. These files are all online and designed by subject covering all the elementary grades instead of putting all the plans for each grade into a single book. The most recently revised subject was the Math curriculum which was altered in 2020 and was given an online-only format. The oldest version of a revision is the grade 1-8 Language curriculum, which was revised in 2008 and has not been altered since.
Within the Ontario Elementary Curriculum there is a document that highlights the environmental components across each subject from Kindergarten to Grade 8. "The policy framework emphasizes the necessity of ensuring that young people become environmentally active and responsible citizens. Students need to have the knowledge and skills that will enable them to understand and deal with complex issues that affect the environment now and in the future" (2, Environmental Education, Grades 1–8, and The Kindergarten Program: Scope and Sequence of Expectations, 2017).
For example,
"Arts teachers are encouraged to take students out of the classroom and into the world beyond the school to help students observe, explore, and investigate nature, and to design activities that allow students to integrate natural materials into their creative works" (3). The arts can also serve as a tool to advocate protection of and respect for the environment.
In the teaching of FSL (French as a Second Language) "teachers are encouraged to select French texts about environmental topics, enabling students to learn about issues of concern to different communities around the world" (4).
Most of the expectations in the elementary curriculum that relate to environmental education are covered in the Science and Technology stream. Students can "think critically about issues related to the environment, and consider personal action that can be taken to protect the environment" (4). Science and Technology is a strand that has the most opportunities to take students outside and show them real examples, and provide hands on experiences. Students "approach environmental literacy through examining critical inquiry questions related to their sense of place, the impact of human activity on the environment, and/or to systems thinking" (5).
In Health and Physical Education students are taught to appreciate and respect the environment in which they are active on. Teachers are encouraged to take students outside whenever possible and teach the value of fresh air and outdoor spaces.
Social Studies is related to the environment by having students investigate a wide range of environmental issues and then asked to develop plans of action aimed at promoting stewardship (5). "The People and Environments strand focuses on contemporary environmental issues and the importance of sustainable living and development" (5).
By incorporating the environment into each strand and encouraging outdoor learning, students are offered a unique experience to learn about and experience the environment around them.
References
Ontario Ministry of Education. The Ontario curriculum.
