The Noddings Center

Caring for Animals, Plants, and the Earth

 

Caring for Animals

The study of animals can go beyond the science classroom by looking at animals through various lenses including: economical, spiritual, cultural, social, and environmental. Students will analyze the implications of hunting, vegetarianism, Animal Protection laws, research, etc. These discussions will be centered on responsiveness and care. Students will also participate in carrying for animals. “Appropriate experience with animals involves an appreciative study of responsiveness” (Noddings, 2005b, p. 127).

 

Caring for Plants

“Regarding plant life as a center of care intimately related to other centers of care gives us an opportunity to appreciate and criticize human interactions as well as human relations to plants” (Noddings, 2005b, p. 132). The importance of caring for plants can be discussed through spirituality, nutrition, edible plants, commercial farming, and the beauty of plants.

 

 

Caring for the Environment

“Our natural environment shapes us, and we shape it” (Noddings, 2013, p. 83). Studying and learning about the environment involves multiple disciplines. Discussions around the implications of moderation, conservation, pollution, consumption, laws, and eradication are all included in the center of caring for the environment. “We have to share the limited resources of earth, and, standing ready to help each other, we must also try not to put too great a strain on the contribution of others. This is where the language of care proves itself so much more practical and visionary than the language of rights and justice (Noddings, 2005b, p. 138).