Harmony with Nature
A Year of Learning with Empathy – for Ourselves, Each Other, and the Earth
How can we live, learn, and grow in a way that respects life in all its forms?
The Empathy Way
At Empathy School, learning is more than academics—it’s a journey of becoming. We believe that true education begins when a child feels safe, connected, and curious.
Our philosophy is rooted in empathy:
This year, through the theme “Harmony with Nature,” we invited students to explore what it means to live wisely and kindly—through books and through mud, through writing and through walking barefoot on the land.
A Balanced Journey
Our students learned from two classrooms: the pages of their books, and the roots beneath their feet. They read, wrote, measured, and researched—but also planted, observed, harvested, and reflected.
Projects included:
Climate Action
What it means:
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts — through education, innovation, and communitybased strategies.
How it connects to learning:
Life on Land
What it means:
Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of land ecosystems — including forests, soil, biodiversity, and natural habitats.
How it connects to learning:
Growing Year by Year: A Progression of Learning Across Grades
Our Primary School shares a common theme each year: Harmony with Nature. Every grade level experiences this theme matching their growth stage. As students’ progress, they develop their academic skills and emotional understanding.
First and second graders start by observing and identifying. Kids use their senses to spot patterns in nature and show empathy through stories and games. They learn by watching, feeling, and using their imagination.
Third and fourth graders think more about systems and connections. Pupils begin to ask “why” and “how” as they study ecosystems, energy flows, and what communities need. They use reading and math skills in real-world projects that involve planning, measuring, and working together.
Students in grades 5–6 take on leadership roles and learn to combine ideas. They come up with fixes write to convince others, share what they’ve found, and team up with kids from different grades. Their learning shows they’re digging deeper taking charge and being more responsible. This comes through in activities like arguing about climate rules or running a program to turn food waste into soil.
How We Assess Growth
At Empathy School, we believe that assessment should honor the whole child. Rather than relying on traditional grades alone, we use a blend of:
These tools help students understand their own learning journey—not just what they know, but who they are becoming.
Planning with Purpose: From Theme to Weekly Flow
Our educators design weekly plans that bring the yearly theme to life. Each week includes:
Rather than separate silos of learning, each subject connects to the real world—and to the child’s inner world
Our Learning Environment
We think the environment surrounding kids has an impact on their thoughts, emotions, and development. This is why we create our educational spaces to spark awe, build relationships, and foster empathy. Our classrooms are spacious, nature-inspired, and adaptable—bathed in sunlight, decorated with earthy hues, and equipped with items that pique interest. We use outdoor areas such as gardens, paddy fields, and forest borders as everyday places to learn. Kids can choose to sit on the ground, work at tall tables, or study beneath trees—based on the activity and their energy levels. We make tools and supplies easy for children to reach, which helps them become more self-reliant and take charge of their education. Learning takes place through movement, in the outdoors, and through connections with others
A Glimpse of Our Curriculum Map
All learning connects to our central yearly theme—Harmony with Nature—which acts as the thread through every subject. Below is a simplified look at how the disciplines are integrated:
| Subject Area | Example Connection to Theme |
|---|---|
| English / Language Arts | Writing persuasive letters to reduce plastic use |
| Mathematics | Graphing food waste and analysing water consumption |
| Studying ecosystems, plant cycles, and climate trends | |
| Social Studies | Exploring cultural practices of sustainability |
| Arts | Creating natural dyes, upcycled sculptures, eco-theatre |
| SEL (Social Emotional Learning) | Practicing mindfulness in nature, journaling reflections |