Caring for Wildlife in Communities (CWICNET)

Display a globe and play the song "It's a Small World."  Listen carefully to the lyrics of the song. Ask what it means that we live in a small world. What does the song mean that "there's so much that we share"? What do we share? Why is it a world of laughter, tears, hopes, and fears? List examples to support the conclusion that all over the globe we are all alike in many ways and we share the same natural resources.

List the amazing features of the Earth, such as mountains, oceans, and other landforms. Name some of the continents and countries and describe the different climates and beautiful regional characteri landscapes. Appreciate that although we live in different places, do different things, and dress differently, we all have our planet Earth on which we evolved in common. It is therefore for our common good that we all take care of the Earth we share. Since we all share the Earth, it is everyone's responsibility help take care of it. The responsible maintenance and care of the earth and its environment is called environmental stewardship.

Read the story The Earth and I by Frank Asch. The child in the story takes the reader on an exploration of what the Earth has to offer and how we can help preserve its resources. After reading the story, list the ways the child in the story was able to help care for the Earth. There are many ways of stewardship of the Earth (planting, raking, picking up trash, etc.).

Define the word philanthropy as giving time, talent, and treasure for the common good. An act of stewardship is an example of philanthropy. When they give their time to pick up trash or plant trees, they are doing it for the common good of everyone in the world.

Frank Asch used watercolor to create the illustrations. Look back through the story and make notes about the illustrations and techniques..Draw a picture of yourself taking care of the Earth. Write a sentence to describe the actions in their pictures.