Waters, J. (2011). Teaching green. The Journal, 38(4), Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/research/2011/04/digital-edition_april.aspx
Summary
This article lists a number of resources educators can use to cultivate a greener classroom environment. One such resource is a website called Classroom Earth. Classroom Earth is a website which gives educators ideas about how to make students more environmentally conscious. Classroom Earth provides teachers with lesson plans that incorporate environmental education in high school classrooms. Classroom Earth is current, and is always updating itself to include relevant news issues regarding the environment. Along with daily news, students can also navigate to a page, which gives them ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint. This website is interactive and will help kids become excited about making a difference.
Questions
Q1. Can encouraging students to access a website which encourage lifestyle changes be seen as invasive?
A2. The key to encouraging a lifestyle change is to allow students to explore the benefits themselves. Students should be made aware of the benefits a green lifestyle has, but in the end, they should decide whether or not to adopt a greener lifestyle. As educators we should encourage critical thinking. We must help students be confident enough to take their own stance on important issues such as these.
Q2. Will emphasizing a greener lifestyle take away from the current curriculum?
A2. No. The lesson ideas provided on Classroom Earth are mean to tie in with what students are already learning. Ideally, tying in environmental ideas will enhance lessons. Integrating environmental topics will help keep lessons more relevant, which will help keep kids engaged.
No comments:
Post a Comment