Description
“This incredible book adeptly explains the power and practice of transformative ecological education for teachers and students.”
Meryl Batchelder PhD, Science lead teacher, Corbridge Middle School, Northumberland, UK National Coordinator, Ministry of Eco Education
“Miss, do you think we are going extinct?” a student asked teacher Katharine Burke one day. Burke recognised a growing malaise in response to the climate crisis and asked herself, “How do we teachers help these capable, yet vulnerable young people develop the ecological literacy and personal resilience they need?” She provoked her students to think and act ecologically. She then invited other teachers to participate in action research for developing nature connectedness with their students. Earthwards shares these transformative stories, concepts and methods of connecting with nature for life.
Earthwards shifts the lens from using nature as a throwaway object to understanding nature as a living organism. This crucial paradigm shift comes through peak experiences of nature. The educator’s job is both to create the conditions for such transformative ecological experiences and then to bring out the observations, feelings, thoughts and questions of students. Educators can use innovative action research to engage with students in a variety of settings, including classrooms, clubs, volunteer groups, outdoors, gardens, forest experiences, camping and hiking. Sharing these learning stories helps build the culture of a real eco-school.
Each chapter includes the story of practical learning projects from primary through secondary school; ecological principles, a reflection section for educators, a ‘curriculum connections’ section to bring those principles into practice, and suggestions for multiple age groups. Helpful resources, a comprehensive bibliography, index and sharing website offer further help to educators
The book
- addresses the dread and anxiety of students facing the climate crisis by offering practical hope.
- provides teachers with a comprehensive and inspiring, ready-to-use ecological learning resource.
- includes hands-on examples, projects, lesson plans, and reflective exercises.
- suggests ways to deepen students’ and teachers’ connection with nature, e.g. with sit spots, observation, reflection, survival challenges, gardening, and outdoor experiences.
- informs students’ analytical skills through the use of systems thinking – taking up cycles, paradigm shifting, embodiment exercises, imagination, and the concept of deep time.
- provides a strong foundation of relevant theory, principles, and methods, plus access to an interactive resource-sharing website being built by a community of Earthwards educators.
Author
Katharine Burke M.Ed., is a primary and secondary teacher, deep ecologist and regenerative curriculum designer, from Skagerak International School, Sandefjord, Norway.
Endorsements
“Katharine Burke’s ‘Earthwards,’ is a game changer. She confronts the deep ecological sadness of our time, and points us toward a broader, deeper environmental education. She not only focuses on how to teach about the natural physical habitat, but also about the habitat of the heart — which is where our future will truly be shaped.”
Richard Louv, author of “Our Wild Calling,” “The Nature Principle,” and “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.”
“How can we support students who have difficulty in coping with the world we have created? It all starts with changing the way we see ourselves as humans and how we see the world, environment, and nature. Katherine Burke has written a book full of thought-provoking insights into philosophy, art, research, and practice, all of which are integrated into an enjoyable story describing the growth of a school. Katherine’s book is a humble and practical tool, the perfect text to accompany any educator as they start their own journey to be truly there for their students’ and the planets’ wellbeing. Earthwards!”
Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization
“Katharine Burke has produced a text that sits in that sweet spot between theory and practice. Her work is thoroughly researched, drawing on an impressive body of literature throughout but perhaps most compellingly, it is her direct experience working with students and teachers that fuels much of the offering to readers. The case studies, suggested lessons, resources and lived examples make this the kind of book that teachers will turn to for both inspiration and application. The privilege and responsibility of being an educator in today’s climate of uncertainty has never been felt so keenly. Books like ‘Earthwards’ offer much needed guidance and hope amidst complex times. I urge all educators to add it to their professional library.”
Kath Murdoch, Educational Consultant
“This is an important book for teachers and educators. Firstly, it puts us humans back as part of nature and not just in it.Secondly, it raises philosophical questions about the purpose and practice of education.Thirdly, it shows real examples of how this works inside a school – the time it takes, the challenges and the joys. This is vitally important as educating our young people for a somewhat unknown future is not a ‘quick fix’ or tweak. Rather, it is considered, intentional, thoughtful work and Katherine shows it is possible.”
Ann Finlayson, CEO, Sustainability & Environmental Education
“Katherine Burke’s Earthwards is a beautiful and indispensable guide for educators, offering practical classroom resources and tools to help teachers reframe their approach to teaching and learning. With remarkable clarity and simplicity, Katherine provides guidance on how educators can self-organize to support each other in exploring the complexities of meta-crises, while staying grounded in practical action. She courageously delves into complex issues, inspiring awe for the natural world and the journey of things around us. Earthwards weaves these complexities into a coherent and supportive narrative, empowering teachers to rethink and shape their practices.”
Alex Catallo, Director of Education, Sustainable Network
“If Environmental Studies and Sustainability are about the world as other-than-us, Transformative Ecological Education is about the learner’s sense of self in relationship with the world, as the world. It is a process both inwards and earthwards, powering necessary resolve and resilience. Katherine masterfully outlines this profound philosophy and also offers practical guidance, from compassionate interaction with individual students, to meaningful classroom activities, to the conditions needed for system change. I can’t imagine a more important book.”
Michelle Holliday, Author of The Age of Thrivability: Vital Perspectives and Practices for a Better World
“Earthwards is a beacon of reasonable hope in a world where many young people are crippled by the facts (and myths) surrounding climate change. This negatively affects their learning, as well as their wellbeing. So, how should schools respond? Katherine Burke speaks from 30+ years of experience in the classroom and has mastered the ability to truly listen to her students. In this wise and loving book we learn that the answer to the question above lies in asking the right questions and allowing students to respond with honesty, even, or especially, when their answers are uncomfortable. The book combines wisdom and pragmatism, making it an invaluable source for educators who are willing to do what it takes, which is to learn with their students! The lesson plans, principles and exercises contained in this book will take you on a journey, which may not always be comfortable, but utterly worthwhile. Recommended for all Earthlings!”
Jan Dijkstra, Sustainability Lead at the International School of Geneva, fellow Earthling
“Earthwards unfolds an insightful narrative of teachers redefining their approach to climate and ecology education. In the classrooms of a K-12 school, it offers practical insights, proving that the road to transformative ecological teaching and learning is not just a concept but an achievable reality. This book resonates with the challenges we face in navigating a way forward with an intentional curricula and school community, providing a roadmap to instill biophilia and systems thinking. It’s an empowering call for us as educators to start small, make a difference, and embrace a profound truth — ‘We are the Earth’. ”
Katheryn Tester, MYP Coordinator, MYP Design Teacher, Skagerak International School Tønsberg
“Humanity faces significant climate, biodiversity, food security, energy, sociopolitical and economic challenges yet there is immense inertia in the education system which is not changing as rapidly as the planetary support systems on which we depend. It is high time for an educational revolution that provides young people with an education for sustainable futures. Katharine Burke’s incredible book, Earthwards, calls for a shift to move from where we are toward a new position that is healthy for ourselves and the planet. She invites educators to join the call to become an ally for Earth, adeptly explaining the power of transformative ecological education alongside weaving in examples from successful schools which have placed sustainability at the heart of their ethos. Though celebrating small actions, while precipitating wholesale cultural change, this must be the future of education.”
Dr. Meryl Batchelder, Lead Science Teacher, Corbridge Middle School, UK
“The book was an absolute pleasure to read. It is such a logical read and so well scaffolded for the reader to engage with the material. It is going to be a game changer for many schools and educators of different types. The lesson ideas make it very usable by home educators/alternative provisions as well as schools in general.”
Charlotte Allchin, Forest Schools Educator and Trainer, Reading, UK
“Midway through Earthwards, Katharine Burke reminds us that ‘even when we cannot create the perfect conditions for developing transformative ecological education in schools, we can start.’ No matter the context, the challenges, or the culture we find ourselves in as educators, there is always a way to educate for the good of people and planet. Sometimes, however, we need a guide to help us find that way. This book will guide you, it will inspire you to be the educator you always wanted to be. Through great storytelling, rich evidence, deep dives in the literature and philosophy of education and ecology, and – most importantly – practical advice, Earthwards is both about transformative education, and transformative in its own right..”
Dr. Morgan Phillips, Director of Education and Youth Engagement, Global Action Plan
“The concept of transformative ecological education – at the heart of Katherine Burke’s remarkable book – is challenging to teachers, but this book is at once an invitation, an inspiration, and a gentle guide that makes such deep educational experience both possible and exciting…. Philosophically sound, scientifically up to date, and rooted in real world educational experience and learning stories, the book expands the horizons of possibility for teachers, and thereby also for their students. It is engaging, stimulating and inviting, and could not be more relevant for our difficult times.”
Stephen Sterling, Emeritus Professor of Sustainability Education, University of Plymouth
