“We need education that nurtures children’s innate curiosity about the natural world, that fosters their understanding of the interconnectedness of all living and non-living things, and instills in them an abiding sense of care and responsibility for the well-being of their community and planet earth.”
David W. Orr  [Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect (2004)]
The Grade Ones have been discussing what community means to them, and have also been investigating “community helpers”. The children’s ongoing dialogue about community lead them to another question, “Are animals part of the community?”

The students were asked, “What animals are part of the Richland community?”

“Dogs, cats, birds.”

“We see birds!”

“On the trees, in our yard!”

“So they are our community!”