Earth Manners

Children are naturally curious about nature and their environment. Take a child outdoors and chances are they will start exploring under rocks and leaves, picking up sticks and searching for bugs.. The desire to explore and learn should be nurtured while also teaching children about respect for all living things and their environment. Use Project Learning Tree's “Earth Manners” to help children develop their own guidelines for exploring and enjoying nature. Then try out your new set of outside “rules” and go outside to play and explore!

Young Child Extension
Take young children on a walk through your backyard, neighborhood, or local park. Talk about what the animals and plants there need to live. Talk about what they themselves need to live (food, water, shelter) and how they are the same things that animals need. Ask them what they think they can do when they are out walking to keep the area healthy for the plants and animals. Draw pictures and tell stories about where they live or where animals live. Read Why Should I Protect Nature? by Jen Green.

Book List

Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Barraclough, S. 2007. Respecting Our World. Black Rabbit Books.
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Tafuri, N. 1987. 1987. Do Not Disturb. HarperCollins Publishers.

Grades 3-5
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.

Grades 6-8
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.

Grades 9-12
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Montgomery, R.G., and C. Grant. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press