Earth Friends are the future of positive human impact.
We Are Earth Friends
is a framework of 5 life-affirming learning modules in which young children build a foundation for understanding all life and all systems on our planet.
Something is missing in education, especially in the formative years known as “early childhood.”
We call it Interconnected Awesomeness.
This is the magic of learning that we are all connected. From the trees to the stingrays to the mushrooms to you and to me and the clothes you are wearing while you read this.
We Are Earth Friends builds a foundation of understanding for all life on our planet through a nature-based, playful introduction to planetary systems, ecological relationships, food systems, and energy and production cycles. In the years to come, today’s children will be met with the complexity of natural and humanitarian challenges, and Earth Friends children will have a deeper understanding of their impact and their capabilities in stewarding our planet.
The youngest generation can rewrite the story of disconnection, distraction, and our diminishing natural world and become the future of positive human impact.
↓ all about the WE ARE EARTH FRIENDS program ↓
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Module 1
Children learn that Earth is our shared home and we need to take care of our Goldilocks planet because it sustains all life.
balance
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Module 2
Children learn that we share Earth with all other living beings, and everyone deserves, water, food, safe shelter, and a place to play.
reciprocity
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Module 3
Children learn that all living beings need food, what our food sources are, where our food waste goes, and each being’s role in the food web.
nourishment
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Module 4
Children learn that Earth gives us energy from different sources and we use energy to grow, move, and make what we need.
possibility
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Module 5
Children learn that our things are made from what Earth gives us, where our things go, and how what we create impacts all life.
ingenuity
program details
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Each module is made up of 5 20-minute lessons that include:
1 curious question
1-2 hands-on, discovery, creative, or movement activities
vocabulary word
reading time
3-5 supplemental indoor and outdoor classroom activities
family engagement
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Reading introduces children to new and different experiences.
We Are Earth Friends comes with 10 books.
5 photo books filled with real world photos and vocabulary words
5 story books that will inspire imagination and deepen connections
Each module connects to 1 photo book and 1 story book
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We Are Earth Friends is accessed digitally through our Educator Portal.
With your user name and password you will find all lessons, professional development, and supplemental resources.
Our program is evergreen, and while we encourage learning without screens, having a virtual home for our materials allows us to stay up to date and make needed changes without disturbing your teaching. -
We Are Earth Friends includes 5 hours of Professional Development to become an Earth Friends Educator.
Once you have access to the Educator Portal, you will find 5 20-minute videos, 4 of which come with writing and reflection exercises. Once you have completed your PD, you can email hello@earthfriends, subject CERTIFICATION, and we will send you an Earth Friends Educator certificate. Yes, we trust that you have done the work!
For those of you who would like in-person or live professional development, we have customized options that start at $100.
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We Are Earth Friends is outdoor and indoor nature-based learning that:
follows developmentally appropriate practices (DAP)
integrates social emotional learning (SEL)
takes a universal design for learning (UDL) approach
aligns with NAEYC early childhood education standards (children ages 3-8)
follows NAAEE's "Guidelines for Excellence in Early Childhood Environmental Education."
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We Are Earth Friends believes that learning can be intergenerational and that adults can be role models.
Each lesson includes family engagements to encourage families and children to explore their world from their home and through place-based activities.
Each module introduces a community event or opportunity to bridge the school community with the wider community by inviting local business owners, indigenous voices, and farmers to engage with the children.
Throughout the program, schools will find countless opportunities to develop and strengthen sustainability measures and outdoor learning experiences. Anything from composting to rain barrels to adding a “No idling” sign in the parking lot.
