Nature Connectedness and the Common Third within the Primary Curriculum - exploring sustainability through a cross-curricular approach

This chapter will explore the concept of connections: connections with nature and with each other. We will examine the theory of nature connectedness and its links to sustainability. We will explore how primary school teachers could use the common third to not only build connections and relationships between pupils, parents and school, but seek to work collaboratively to teach sustainability using a cross-curricular, holistic and measured approach. There will be a focus on teaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the foundation subjects as these areas provide ample opportunity to reconnect with nature within the primary national curriculum. Towards the end of this chapter, the discussion will focus on practical ideas for implementing common third activities within a primary school setting to nurture children’s understanding of sustainability.