Features
A
Permaculture School Garden
by Patrick Praetorius
Applying the principles of a design methology called permaculture
to school gardens and other projects helps to reinforce the
values of resourcefulness, stewardship and sustainability. This
article describes how Oak Grove School, in Ojai, California,
applied the principles of permaculture to the creation of the
school’s gardens, pond, straw bale greenhouse and outdoor
seating area.
Ethics
in Action: Adopting an Environmental Practice by John P. Engel and Daniel Sturgis
This environmental ethics assignment, adaptable to all grade
levels, challenges students to align their behavior with
environmental ethics, and in the process learn how much easier it
is to change an old habit or adopt a new one than they thought.
Leaving
‘Leave No Trace’ Behind: Towards a Holistic Land Use
Ethic by David Moskowitz and Darcy Ottey
The authors question the notion that it is possible to live
in the natural world without leaving a trace. They suggest we
adopt Conscious Impact Living, a more holistic land use ethic
that supports a stronger sense of connection with the natural
world by recognizing that because humans live within nature, they
will always have an impact on it.
Designing
a Sustainable Industrial Park
by Robert A. Sweeney and Phyllis A. Sweeney
This step-by-step exercise asks students to plan a
“green” industrial park that generates its own energy,
conserves and reuses materials, and minimizes waste. The
exercise is adaptable for use with students from elementary
grades through high school.
Tank
Tips: A Freshwater Aquarium in the Classroom by Rebecca Holcombe
A freshwater aquarium in the classroom offers both aesthetic
appeal and the opportunity to integrate learning across many
disciplines. The article offers tips for selecting aquarium
equipment and suitable freshwater tropical fish, and how to link
an aquarium project to the curriculum in various subject areas.
Reading
the Landscape
by Janice Schnake Greene
The author shares teaching activities suitable for all age
groups that help students become more aware of the natural world
while still achieving required curriculum goals. Based on
the writings of conservationist Aldo Leopold, the activities
encourage students to learn the “stories of the land”
through observation and inquiry.
Habitat
House Hunt by Kristin Mack-Hammer and Janice Denney
In this activity for Grades 5-8, students play real estate agents
who must find suitable homes for their urban animal clients. It
is a fun way for students to learn about the importance of
preserving wildlife habitats.
Field
Trips: The Good, Bad and the Ugly
by Lisa Woolf
One of the most common mistakes made by a classroom teacher when
teaching outdoors is to forget to adapt the teaching techniques
and structures used successfully in the classroom. This article
recounts the story of a disastrous field trip, the lessons
learned, and the steps taken to turn things around. It includes
suggestions for making field trips meaningful learning
experiencez for students.
Glorious
Weeds!
by Jack Greene
The author shares ideas and activities designed to help students
appreciate the value of common plants that are often dismissed as
mere "weeds."
And as
always, over 20 new educational resources are profiled and
evaluated in this issue of Green Teacher.
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