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The Living Lessons Program

The Living Lessons Program brings nature into classrooms across Canada by providing teachers with a fully funded grant for a live animal or plant as a hands-on educational tool. Through our charity, we offer a carefully selected range of classroom companions (at no cost to schools) to help students develop a deeper connection to wildlife, biodiversity, and conservation. Designed for elementary classrooms, this program helps students see, interact with, and care for real living organisms, turning abstract lessons about wildlife and the environment into something personal and unforgettable.

Why We Created The Program

In today’s world, children are growing up increasingly disconnected from nature. With urbanization, screen time, and shrinking green spaces, We believe students should have a more direct experience with wildlife or the environment. We want conservation to feel like a something they can see, understand, and care about rather than feel like a distant issue.

We created the Living Lessons Program to bridge this gap, giving students the opportunity to interact with nature in their own classrooms. By introducing live animals and plants into the learning environment, we foster a relationship with nature and wildlife building an experience that we hope will have a positive lifelong impact for both the students and the world.

This hands-on experience fosters curiosity, responsibility, and empathy - key qualities in shaping the next generation of conservation advocates. By starting in the classroom, we plant the seeds of both awareness and action,

How The Living Lessons Program Works

1. Teacher Application

This program is designed for teachers looking to shake up the classroom experience with something new. Interested teachers can apply by clicking the link below and completing a questionnaire to showcase their passion for conservation and teaching.

2. Classroom Companion Selection

Applicants chosen by our team will select a “classroom companion” from our approved list of animals and plants that best fits their classroom. Teachers receive a complete list of required items, including their companion and where to purchase them. Afterward, they are reimbursed through a grant for the total cost.

3. The Grant

Once the teacher has purchased their classroom companion and necessary supplies, they will receive full reimbursement. As ongoing care items like food or habitat essentials are needed, teachers can submit receipts for continued reimbursement to ensure their classroom companion is well cared for throughout the program.

4. Lesson Plans & Resources

Teachers are provided with fun and engaging 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 their specific classroom companion to enhance engagement.

5. Maintenance Guide

We provide a detailed guide to ensure a smooth and easy implementation of the program. Our step-by-step instructions cover everything you need to know about feeding, watering, as well as setting up and maintaining a healthy habitat. The guide also includes practical ways for students to participate, creating a hands-on learning experience

6. Student Engagement

Students are encouraged to participate in caring for the classroom companion. Through hands-on activities like feeding and observation, they may develop a lasting curiosity as well as a sense of responsibility, and  appreciation for wildlife.

7. Ongoing Support

We’re here to help! Our team provides continued support, assisting with animal care, lesson plan implementation, and any other challenges along the way to ensure a successful classroom experience.

8. Submit Your Photos

We love seeing the impact our program has on classrooms! Teachers and students are encouraged to share photos of their classroom companion in action. Sharing these moments helps us understand how the program is making a difference and inspires other classrooms to join the movement.

How We Support Teachers

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:

Comprehensive Resources

We provide detailed lessons and a step-by-step maintenance guide for the classroom companion, making it easy to integrate the program into your existing curriculum. The lessons include rich content along with interactive activities that add fun to the classroom, while the maintenance guide ensures the health and care of the animal or plant.

Ongoing Assistance

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.

Regular
Check-Ins

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. Additionally, we gather feedback from participants to continuously improve and enhance the program.

WHO CAN APPLY

The Living Lessons Program is open to all Canadian elementary school teachers (grades K-8) who want to inspire their students with engaging, hands-on environmental education. We welcome applications from both public and private schools across the country. 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.

Together, with the support of our donors, we are making it possible for classrooms everywhere to experience the magic of the natural world.
Apply Now

Our Classroom Companions

We offer a carefully selected range of live animals and plants that make great classroom companions, each chosen for their educational value, ease of care, and ability to spark curiosity in students. To explore all available options and find the best fit for your classroom, check out our full list of classroom companions below.
View All Classroom Companions

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any costs to participate?
How Long Do I Care for the Classroom Companion?
What happens to the classroom companion during school holidays or breaks?
What topics are covered in the lesson plans?
What kind of support does The World Path offer to teachers during the program?