The Living Lessons Program brings the natural world directly into classrooms, offering students a unique, hands-on opportunity to engage with endangered wildlife and environmental conservation. Through the program, live animals or plants become interactive learning tools that captivate students' attention and make abstract environmental concepts real and tangible. By integrating these living companions into everyday learning, we aim to inspire a lifelong connection to the natural world and foster a sense of responsibility to protect it. The program is designed to complement the existing curriculum, enriching students’ understanding of biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation while providing a memorable educational experience that leaves a lasting impact.
We created the Living Lessons Program because we saw a gap in how environmental education was being delivered in schools. Many classrooms weren’t highlighting the urgency of protecting endangered species or preserving biodiversity, and students lacked a tangible connection to the natural world. Our founding members witnessed the devastating loss of wildlife firsthand—from bleached coral reefs to vanishing species—and realized that inspiring the next generation to care for the environment was critical to making a lasting impact.By developing a program that brings live animals and plants into the classroom, we give students an immersive, hands-on experience that fosters a deep connection to nature. Our goal is to plant a seed of environmental awareness in each student that will grow throughout their lives, motivating them to take action—whether that’s simply not littering or pursuing a career in conservation. We believe that by engaging students at a young age, we can inspire them to become lifelong advocates for the planet and its wildlife.
Teachers interested in bringing the program to their classroom apply through our website. The application process is straightforward, and we prioritize schools in underfunded areas to maximize the program’s impact.
Teachers are provided with comprehensive lesson plans that are designed to fit within the existing curriculum. These plans cover topics such as endangered species, biodiversity, and conservation, and they guide the teacher in how to use the classroom companion to enhance.
Students are encouraged to participate in caring for the classroom companion, which helps them form a direct, personal connection to the living world. Through activities like feeding and watering, students learn responsibility while becoming more engaged with the material.
We love seeing the impact our program has on classrooms! Teachers and students are encouraged to submit photos of their classroom companion and how they’ve integrated it into their learning experience. Sharing these moments helps us understand how the program is making a difference and inspires other classrooms to join the movement.
Once selected, teachers receive a live animal or plant, known as a “classroom companion,” which serves as a hands-on educational tool. Each companion is carefully chosen to align with the program’s focus on endangered species and environmental conservation.
To ensure the health and well-being of the classroom companion, we provide a detailed maintenance guide. This guide helps teachers and students care for the animal or plant, with step-by-step instructions on feeding, watering, and creating the proper environment. It also includes ways for students to take part in the daily care, fostering a sense of responsibility and deeper engagement with the program.
Throughout the program, we provide continuous support to ensure everything runs smoothly. We conduct regular check-ins with teachers, offer additional resources as needed, and gather feedback to ensure that students are actively learning and benefiting from the program.
At The World Path, we are here to help every step of the way to ensure teachers have everything they need to make the Living Lessons Program a success in their classrooms. Our support includes:
We provide detailed lesson plans and a step-by-step maintenance guide for the classroom companion, making it easy to integrate the program into your existing curriculum while ensuring the health and care of the animal or plant.
From the moment teachers are selected, our team is available to offer guidance and answer any questions. Whether it's about lesson content, caring for the classroom companion, or aligning the program with school schedules, we're always just a call or email away.
We conduct scheduled check-ins to see how the program is progressing, offering additional support and resources if needed. These touchpoints help ensure that both students and teachers are fully benefiting from the experience.
By bringing live animals or plants into the classroom, we add an element of excitement and engagement that makes learning more enjoyable for students. The interactive nature of the program brings a new level of fun to lessons, sparking curiosity and encouraging participation.
By bringing live animals or plants into the classroom, we add an element of excitement and engagement that makes learning more enjoyable for students. The interactive nature of the program brings a new level of fun to lessons, sparking curiosity and encouraging participation.
The Living Lessons Program is open to all Canadian elementary school teachers who want to inspire their students with engaging, hands-on environmental education. We welcome applications from schools across the country, with a special focus on supporting underfunded schools and communities that may not have access to these unique learning experiences.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, participation in the program is completely free for schools. This allows us to provide live animals or plants, lesson plans, maintenance guides, and ongoing support—all at no cost to the teachers or schools. Whether you're in a large urban center or a small rural community, we believe every student should have the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about conservation.
No matter your school’s size, resources, or location, if you’re passionate about bringing environmental education to your students, you are encouraged to apply. Together, with the support of our donors, we are making it possible for classrooms everywhere to experience the magic of the natural world.
At The World Path, we believe that everyone can play a part in shaping the next generation of environmental stewards, and there are many ways you can help make a difference.
Your generosity directly supports the Living Lessons Program, allowing us to bring live animals and plants into classrooms, provide teachers with engaging lesson plans, and offer ongoing support—at no cost to schools. Every donation, big or small, helps inspire students to become lifelong advocates for conservation.
If you know a teacher who would love to bring our program into their classroom, encourage them to apply! By sharing information about the Living Lessons Program with teachers, parents, and your community, you can help us reach more students across Canada. Check out our page on Instagram for more updates!
