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Are Humans Separate from Earth or Are We Part of it?

Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: June 25, 2026

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Synopsis

This 5-minute animated video and accompanying article explores modern humanity’s relationship with the planet, asking whether it is time to reassess how people see themselves in relation to nature.
It contrasts animistic Indigenous worldviews with western philosophical history, noting how colonization advanced views that positioned humans as masters of the natural world rather than members of it.

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Subjects: History, Geography

Authors: BBC Ideas

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Classroom Implementation:

Use this video to open a Socratic seminar or structured discussion on worldviews and the environment, inviting students to articulate and defend their own answer to the title’s question.
Have students compare the Indigenous and western philosophical perspectives presented, analyzing how each frames the human-nature relationship and how those framings might shape responses to climate change.
Dive deeper into the erasure of Indigenous beliefs via colonization and the spread of western thought.

Related Resources:

Use this video to illustrate how traditional ecological knowledge informs Indigenous' peoples understanding of nature and how western science is finally recognizing this valuable wisdom.
Use this lesson to explore the environmental justice implications of the United States' westward expansion in the 1800s.

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The Kid Should See This

The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.

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Are Humans Separate from Earth or Are We Part of it?

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Related Teaching Resources