Module 04 - Children and Creation Care

A Rocha UK have resources for work with children included in the packs that they have been producing annually. This was initially called 'Conservation Sunday' but is now 'Environment Sunday'. The resources can be used at any time!

The Environment Sunday pack for 2007 is called 'The Heat is On' and contains many resources suitable for use with children, including a presentation on climate change for use in primary assemblies. And you can even order online.

Christian Ecology Link have service suggestions for LOAF (Local, Organic, Animal friendly, Fairtrade) suitable for use with children and young people.

Eco-Congregation Scotland have a resource list produced by Forth Environment Link which covers a number of areas, including work with children. This is a list of what they have available for Scottish churches to borrow, but it might give ideas of things to look out for if you are wanting to purchase some materials (see pages 5,6,9,10 in the Word document)

The Religious Education and Environment Programme (REEP) has developed resources linking many faiths and care for creation for primary age and for secondary age students, and for book list for different Key Stages.

Scripture Union and A Rocha have produced jointly a resource for holiday clubs called WasteWatchers.

This is a series of books written by Graham to introduce children to animals essential in the organic garden. They are delightfully illustrated. Cost £3.25 each.

For details, contact:
Graham Gooderham
33 Abbey Croft
Pershore
WR10 1JQ

Children’s show: this is a script for a fun, interactive presentation to help children in schools and Sunday schools to understand the balance between ‘Fair Food’ and ‘Food Miles’. It is adaptable for different ages. Go to this page on the Church of Scotland site, and then scroll down a bit. You can then download the resources and an activity sheet.

Jackie and Alan Gear used to run Ryton Organic Gardens (HDRA). They are Christians and have produced an excellent poster and activity sheet designed for use in RE lessons for Key Stage 2. They are also suitable for use in children's groups in churches.

To obtain a pack, contact:
Jackie Gear MBE
23 Styleman Way
Snettisham
Norfolk
PE31 7NT

CAFOD's primary school resources on environmental themes are worth looking at.

Have a look at Tearfund children's resources for loads of resources for children. Tearfund's main campaign currently is climate change.

Tearfund pentathlon - 5 online games to get the climate change message across.

Are you looking for somewhere to take your children/young people away for a weekend? Ringsfield Hall is a wonderful place of hospitality, prayer and nurture. Groups are free to follow their own programme, or you can have sessions lead on spirituality, creativity, fun, team building. They are committed to teaching children about earth keeping and creation care in a holistic and creative way.

Contact Ross Ashley or Chris Walton on 01502 713020 or email them at info@ringsfield-hall.co.uk.

Reflection Gardens, aims to make connections between issues in ecology and Christian beliefs, and to present these in a visual/physical way. It runs programmes, courses and retreats for various groups including youth groups. It is situation on the edge of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, some of the old woodland in England. Reflections is run by Revd Christine and Mr John Polhill.

Next door is a large camp site for young people's groups, with a variety of camping options, see http://www.beaudesert.org/.

Run an environment club!

Would you like to run an environment club? A Rocha UK have resources on a number of themes to help you. Each theme consists of four to seven one-hour sessions, exploring environmental issues that are relevant to children. There are session plans, activity sheets, games, quizzes and more.  Aimed at primary school teachers, these could easily be adapted for use in a church setting.

The following themes can be downloaded free of charge:

Conservation (4 sessions)

The wildlife of London

Waste and recycling (6 sessions)

Nocturnal animals (5 sessions)

Life cycles (5 sessions)

Enjoy!

The series seeks to combine solid, bible based teaching alongside a practical focus on the environment. The hope is that, where possible, these sessions will not only allow for teaching, but for children to experience that environment creating a novel experience and greater understanding. Every church is within a different environment, and leaders should feel free to adapt the material for their individual circumstances. It is designed for children of around 10 years of age, and includes a session plan and handout for each week. The intention is for children to identify:

* the natural environment in which they find themselves
* mankind's responsibility for that environment
* that this a natural part of Christian life.

Do you need resources to help you teach about faith and the environment?

A Rocha UK, a Christian environmental and conservation charity with a strong focus on education has produced a pack called “Whose World is it Anyway? Suitable for GCSE and key stages 3 and 4. This pack covers Christian beliefs about the beginning of the world and our human responsibility to care for it. It looks at how we have spoiled our planet and how the problems are being addressed through human intervention at a variety of scales. Learn how A Rocha is helping restore areas through conservation projects in Kenya, India and the UK. Students are invited to reflect on their learning and consider implications for their lifestyle choices.

You can preview some sample materials by visiting the website above:

By clicking on the links you can see a short film clip, pages from the student booklet and a lesson plan. You may also purchase the pack using pay-pal (alternatively schools may be invoiced.)