Earthcare for Children,

Each of the thirteen chapters is organized by:

• Purpose,
• Opening, songs, Scripture, other readings, related activity for a larger or multi-grade group
• Small Group Activities, from seven to fifteen per chapter to select from, usually enough to divide into two or three lesons
• Closing, ways to close the lesson for a group or bring subgroups together for closure
• Take Home Pages, two or three reproducable pages of pencil and paper work or discussion ideas to be shared with families

The purposes of the chapters are:

1. Appreciating the Beauty of Creation
   • To sense God's presence in the natural world
   • To marvel at the beauty and complexity of the Earth
   • To encourage observation
   • To promote a sense of comfort with being a part of nature
2. We Have No Home But Earth
   • To present the point of view that we are joint tenants of God's creation, along with the plants and animals
   • To relate and promote love of home and love of the Earth
   • To associate "Mother Earth" or "Mother Nature" with good family relationships
   • To apply observation and discernment skills
   • To accept responsibility for Earthcare globally as well as locally
3. Earth Is Dirty and Alive
   • To notice the abundance of life on Earth, especially in unlikely places.
   • To show the wonders of the soil
   • To introduce the concept that the amount of life in a place can be increased, decreased, or can even be destroyed.
   • To experience that dirt is not "unclean" or "ungodly"
4. Diversity: the Seeds of Life
   • To assert the value of diversity in the seed gene pool.
   • To recognize the possible dangers of farming with hybrids or single strains of plants and animals
   • To promote the positive value of variety in all life
   • To recognize how peoples' understanding of God may be expressed in a variety of ways.
   • To develop an appreciation of seeds as symbolic of God's gift of life
5. We Circle the Sun
   • To share an appreciation of the light and warmth that the Earth from the Sun
   • To affirm humanity's place in the cyclical nature of life on this planet
   • To become informed about ozone depletion and the effects of increased ultra-violet [UV] radiation
   • To see how plants and animals respond to light
   • To reflect [pun intended] on the metaphorical use of Light and Dark in Quaker practice
6. Water, Water Everywhere
   • To show the value of water
   • To show the dangers of pollution and the importance of preventing water poisoning
   • To learn ways to keep water available to meet the needs of plants, animals, and people
   • To recognize the significance of water and water sources, and of water ceremonies in our culture and others
7. The Air We Breathe
   • To become more alert to the global nature of air quality issues, particularly to the accumulation of methane and CO2.
   • To encourage support for open space preservation.
   • To assert the value of all plants, and trees in particular, to the air cycle.
   • To recognize the mythic connection of air and breath with movement of the Holy Spirit.
8. Interrelatedness: the Web of Life
   • To see the vast variety in the world as a reflection of God's power, seeing value in the splendid diversity
   • To identify with individual plants and animals
   • To become aware of the interdependence of all life
   • To develop an attitude of brotherhood/sisterhood with all life
9. Carrying Capacity: Is Earth Full?
   • To develop awareness that the Earth has limited capacity to support life
   • To become informed about ways in which the capacity to support life is reduced or expanded
   • To explore what may happen when plant or animal populations get out of proportion with available habitat
   • To promote the desire to nurture and protect life on Earth
   • To recognize our responsibility to God for the changes we make in our environment
10. How to Care
    • To seek ways to prevent injuries or illnesses among both wild and domestic animals
    • To care for the plants that need cultivation
    • To show our concern for wilderness areas and fragile ecosystems
    • To consider career opportunities in work helping plants and animals
    • To view care and nurturing as appropriate activities for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or family role
11. Taking Responsibility
    • To consider our role as stewards who act responsibly toward the Earth and all its people, creatures, and plants
    • To see stewardship or caretaking as an aspect of interrelatedness
    • To see how stewardship decisions may be very difficult
    • To see how easy it is to mess things up and how hard it is to correct mistakes
12. Working with Others
    • To find ways to walk gently over the Earth speaking to that of God in everyone and responding to that of God in everything
    • To encourage ourselves and others to live simply
    • To praise and reward those who act in caring ways toward the Earth
    • To remind ourselves of the many ways we can have a positive effect on the environment
    • To share our discoveries with Friends, families, and community
13. Field Trips
    • To explore a natural environment
    • To become more aware of human impact
    • To look for examples relating to our studies of life cycles, carrying capacity, genetic diversity, pollution, restoration, caretaking, kinship, fragile things, and beauty
    • To discover a sense of the Divine in outdoor settings
    • To give service or make a positive difference

Copies of Earthcare for Children may be ordered for $15.00 plus $3.50 postage and handling from

It is also available through

• Friends General Conference Bookstore in Philadelphia
• Quaker Book Service in Canada
• Spontaneous Combustion

Earthcare for Friends, a Study Guide for Individuals and Faith Communities, edited by Louis Cox, Ingrid Fabianson, Sandra Moon Farley, and Ruah Swennerfelt, is a curriculum for teen and adult programs following a similar format.