Special Days
Certain days in the calendar are INTERNATIONAL DAYS in order to shine a spotlight on important aspects of human life. All lesson plans are underpinned by the Five Freedoms for Animals as endorsed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
09 October
World Migratory Bird Day
An extraordinary bird finds its way to South Africa for its annual Summer migration.
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Download the lesson plan on the awesomeness of the Amur Falcon.
09 October
World Migratory Bird Day Activity
Learners can use the template provided to craft a miniature version of this amazing bird, as a festive season gift for a loved one.
09 October
World Migratory Bird Day Activity
"Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life."
Never in the history of mankind have we been compelled, on a global scale, to reconsider the way we produce our food. The United Nations’ Food Systems Summit 2021, has urged all 193 member states to do just this – for the sake of climate change, and our own survival.
To commemorate World Food Day 2022 Nature-Based Education invites senior school teachers to offer learners an understanding of the issues involved through our freely downloadable curriculum-aligned lesson plans on the Topic: Health, Social and Environmental Responsibility, for Grade 8.
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21 February
International Mother Language Day
Read this engaging story that teaches the universal principle of balance in all things.
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In English, we call this the principle of give and take. In isiXhosa, we call it Ina ethe. In The Story of Thabo and Thabisile by Tozie Zokufa we are reminded that give and take applies to our relationship with farmed animals too.
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Suitable for Foundation Phase and Second Language Intermediate Phase learners.
Extensive research demonstrates that use of forests contributes to reducing stress and promoting more positive moods and feelings.
In children, forests help to get healthy mental and social development.
21 March
International Day of Forests
This 2023 calls for giving, not just taking, because healthy forests will bring healthy people.
Learn more here:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/forests-and-trees-day
See a special project in South Africa, changing landfill into forest. View Lesson Plan Grade 8 from slide 13 - 16.
Healthy forest for healthy people
When we drink a glass of water, write in a notebook, take medicine for a fever or build a house, we do not always make the connection with forests. And yet, these and many other aspects of our lives are linked to forests in one way or another. The theme for 2023 is "Forests and health.”
Forests give us so much to our health. They purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, provide food and life-saving medicines, and improve our well-being.
It’s up to us to safeguard these precious natural resources.
The United Nations declared 21 March the International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
Conserving and sustainably using forests is one of the best ways of protecting our planet and ourselves. Healthy forests are vital for all aspects of a healthy planet, from livelihoods and nutrition to biodiversity and the environment, but they are under threat. It’s up to us to safeguard these precious natural resources.
Courtesy: UNITED NATIONS
04 May
International Respect for Chickens Day
All animals deserve basic respect, and on 4th May it’s the chicken’s turn, the day United Poultry Concerns (UPC) has designated for raising awareness of the suffering so many chickens endure.
Most hens that lay the eggs we eat are kept in tiny cages known as battery cages. This way of farming became part of the industrialisation of agriculture in the 1950’s and is commonly called ‘factory farming’.
Zimbabwean, Sanele Ndlovu is one of many, many people around the world campaigning for better lives for chickens and an end to factory farming.
Read about what Sanele is doing to achieve this in the downloadable article below.
20 May
World Bee Day
World Bee Day is a reminder of the vital role of bees in the global ecosystem. Plants that provide our food - like fruits, vegetables and nuts - all need bees for pollination and without bees, our food supply would drastically decline. ​
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Also refer to our lesson plans for Grade 2 Term 4, slide 18 & Grade 8 Term 3, slides 4 - 6
28 September
World Rabies Day
South Africa has an important role to play in reaching the World Health Organization's target of ZERO cases of human rabies spread by infected dogs, by 2030.
28 September
World Rabies Day Comic
This comic about rabies prevention was selected for the Department of Education’s Project 1207 in 2021.
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Choose an option below.
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