Teaching Environmental Justice in the Elementary Classroom: Entry Points for Equity Across the K-5 Curriculum (Equity and Social Justice in Education Series)

This timely book discusses the importance of teaching environmental justice at the elementary level and provides teachers with the tools to implement this instruction in their existing curriculum. It proves that environmental justice education isn't just a science issue―it's a human rights imperative that our students depend on.

Pulling from her personal experience as an elementary teacher and public school district STEM specialist, author Kimi Waite embraces the interdisciplinary nature of environmental justice and offers guidance on cultivating environmental justice literacy. She presents a comprehensive framework for elementary teachers to integrate equity and justice into their environmental curricula, provides entry points for implementing environmental justice into lesson planning, and offers ideas for long-term projects that students can bring outside the classroom. Additional features include real-world examples, reflection questions, supplemental resources, strategies for navigating community pushback, and practical tools you can use in your classroom.

Relevant for in-service elementary educators, administrators, and curriculum specialists alike, this book is essential reading for your lesson planning around equity in environmental education. You’ll come away feeling empowered to equip your students with the knowledge and civic agency to build a truly just and sustainable future.

Kimi Waite is Assistant Professor of Child & Family Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, and serves as affiliate faculty in the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program. She is a former elementary school teacher and a district STEM Specialist.