Teacher’s Guide to Going GreenIDEAS, LESSONS, AND ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

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INTRODUCTION

Inspiring learning and change. It’s a teacher’s job…mission. It’s a job that requires an understand-ing of how children think, process and react to new information. It’s usually not enough to tell

your students something, you need to show them and get them involved. They need to be active participants to learn.

The goal of this guide is to provide teachers and administrators with a resource of ideas and mate-rial that can be implemented easily and help children develop a connection to the environment. It is PMM’s belief that you need to show children how they can make small changes in their daily lives and reap big benefits for their school, friends, families and the planet.

We’ve compiled a cross section of lessons, activities and resources with green ideas for every grade level. Some can be completed quickly and easily within a single class period and others require a little more time, but all are sure to get students — and teachers — thinking about what can be done to preserve our increasingly fragile planet.

•GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL GREEN

•GREENING YOUR CLASSROOM

•GREEN SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS

•ENERGY USE & REDUCTION

•RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE REDUCTION

•CLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL WARMING

•CLEAN AIR & REDUCING AIR POLLUTION

•REDUCING WATER USAGE

•ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS

The ideas, strategies, organizations and links cited in the checklist have been gathered from a vari-ety of sources. They have been compiled to help administrators, facility staff, teachers and students raise awareness and promote environ-mentally sustainable practices within their classrooms, schools and lessons.

This document is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of the les-sons and techniques and practices that can potentially improve the way a school integrates sustainability. Each school is unique, with its own set of environmental challenges and oppor-tunities. Thus, the document has been designed to be flexible and present numerous resources at various grade levels to meet the needs of a variety of facilities and students.

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GETTING TO & FROM SCHOOL GREENGenerally, there are six ways students can get to school— biking, walking, skateboarding, public transportation, parent drop-off or the school bus. The top three green transportation modes that can help reduce carbon emissions are walking, bus and bike.

However, there are other ways to green up the other transportation methods to and from school if your student does not walk, bike or ride a bus. Many parents drive their children to school but if stu-dents and teachers can encourage parents to arrange a carpool, fewer cars would be on the road.

Lead by example and try green transport options yourself as a teacher. Discuss with students their experience in getting to school more greenly. What was better? What was annoying? The follow-ing activities, lessons and websites can help you introduce the concept of green transporation.

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•InternationalWalkToSchoolInTheUSA.http://www.walktoschool.org/

•NationalBikeToSchoolDay. http://www.walktoschool.org/bike_to_school_day_2012.cfm

•“Walking”Buses. http://walkingschoolbus.org

Consider introducing a new method of getting to school started in England: Walking Buses.

•FollowSafeRoutesforKids. http://saferoutesinfo.org

Using public transit, bicycling and walking are 3 alternatives a child can use to do his part in reducing the nation’s reliance on petroleum products.

•ChildPedestrianSafetyCurriculum. http://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildPedestrianSafetyCurriculum

•TripTallyLessonPlan. http://www.nesea.org/uploads/textWidget/890.00010/docu-ments/TripTally.pdf

•WhatImpactDoesTransportationHaveonAirQuality? http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/DNREC2000/Divisions/AWM/aqm/education/airqualityLesson3.pdf.

•AlternativeFormsOfTransportation:TheBicycle. http://edu.earthday.org/alternative-forms-transportation-bicycle.

•Back-to-School:TheBusBeatsthePrius.http://www.plentymag.com/ask/2008/07/back_to_school_prius_v_schoolb.php

•WhatistheaveragedistanceofanautotripintheUnitedStates? Discuss the number of miles the child’s fam-ily car drives on one gallon of gas. Consider that 25% of all auto trips in the United States are less than one mile. 40% are two miles or shorter. Is driving necessary for most of these trips?

•HowmuchoildoestheU.S.userelativetoourpopulation?Petroleum products are nonrenewable and their use pollutes the planet. The United States of America is overly reliant on petroleum prod-ucts. Although the country represents 4.5% of the world population, it uses 25% of the world’s oil. How much is that? 20 million barrels, or 840 million gallons, each day. Show a child a one gallon jug and ask him to imagine 840 million of them to give him a sense of what these numbers mean. Have him measure the area of the bottom of the jug, measure the area of his workspace (table or desk), then determine how many gallon jugs would fit on his table or desk. How many tables or desks of like size would he need to hold 840 million gallon jugs?

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GREENING YOUR CLASSROOM Whether or not you have the support of your school, you can do your best to green your classroom supplies and institute classroom sustainable policies. Start by choosing environmentally friendly new materials when possible and also start a classroom program to collect and reuse gently used supplies from past and present students.

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•3RsofthemodernclassroomareReduce,ReuseandRecycle!Set up a class recycling program.

•Stockyourroomwithgreenschoolsupplies. If you or your school’s budget can afford it, stock your room with green school supplies, like recycled notebook binders and biodegrad-able corn starch pens.

•Usewater-basedpaints.Use water-based paints for a non-toxic creative project.

•Greenartprojects. This list of green art projects are all good for the environment, and some utilize natural ingredients and products like clay and wood. http://www.arthereandnow.com/2007/10/making-art-without-unmaking-the-environment/

•Usegreentissues.Use tissue that is chlorine-free, so they aren’t a threat to the ozone layer and have no dyes or artificial fragrances.

•Writewithrecycledormechanicalpencils.

•UseAcid-freegluesticks.Forallyourartprojects, use acid-free glue stick, which is less messier than liquid glue and better for the environment.

•Openwindows.If the temperature is nice outside, regulate your inside temperature by openingupthewindows.Freshairwillalsorejuvenate you and your students.

•Encouragestudentstousebothsidesofthepaper.Teachers have been battling this prob-lem for a while. Ask your students to use both sides of the paper for homework assignments. You can even reward them an extra bonus point or two if they remember.

•Opentheblinds. Let in natural light and turn on a desk lamp when you’re packing up for the day or in your room by yourself during lunchtime.

•Userecycledpaper. All teachers go through a ton of notebooks and papers each year, so us-ing recycled paper and then recycling all your files after the year is over will positively impact the environment.

•Useoldtestsandotherusedpaperworkfortakingclassnotes. When you don’t have recycled paper on hand, make your own! Look through your desk and folders to find old papers that are blank on one side. Use them to take notes and encourage your friends to do the same.

•ReusableWaterBottles. Encourage children to drop the plastic water bottle habit and bring reusable bottles to drink from during class and lunch.

•Bringnatureintotheclassroom!  Consider class nature projects like raising Monarch Butterflies or having a pet tarantula.

•ClassroomGardening. Encourage care and respect for the environment by growing a classroom garden.   Whether it’s grass seeds, flowers, or herbs, many plants can be seeded, watered, and grow on the windowsill of the classroom — brings a little extra life to the place too!

•Zero-WasteLunches. http://wastefreelunches.org

•Turnofflightsandcomputer.

•TeachingTips.com. http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/06/23/50-ways-to-go-green-in-the-classroom/

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GREEN SCHOOL FUNDRAISERSSchools are desperate for funds, but how can you raise money without lowering environmental standards? Wrapping paper destroys forests and doesn’t promote recycling. Bake sales contribute to childhood obesity rates. Candy bars mean more sugar…

But don’t worry, there are some other great options that are much greener and help students learn the value of sutainablility…

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•Auctions. •RecycledPaper. Earn cash for recyecled paper.

http://www.paperretriever.com

•Terracycle.net. Pay for recycling 20 oz. soda bottles to fill with organic fertilizer. http://www.terracycle.net.

•RecyclePrinterCartridges&Electronics. Pays schools and non-profit organizations cash for empty laser and inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, laptops, PDAs, GPS devices and iPods. http://www.cartridgesforkids.com/, http://www.earthtoneso-lutions.com/, http://www.fundingfactory.com/

•RecycleJuicePacksandWrappers.Terracycle makes bags, pencil boxes, and other items out of the packaging, which is not generally ac-cepted in standard recycling programs. http://www.terracycle.net/en-US/

•Script.com. Gift certificates or cards — for use at local retail stores -- can be purchased by schools at a discount and sold at a profit. http://www.scrip.com/

•e-Script.com. Many grocery chains and online retailers have programs that disburse a percentage of a shopper’s purchases to a school they specify. http://www.escrip.com/

•SportRelatedFundraisers. Sponsor a walk-a thon, bowl-a-thon or have your own March Madness Basketball game that involves stu-dents, parents and teachers.

•ReusableGroceryBags. One of the most im-mediate ways you can impact the environment is by reducing your usage of plastic bags. http://www.reusethisbag.com/ http://www.1stplacefundraising.com/mixed-bags-design-fundraiser/

•Flower&BulbSale. http://www.go-green-fundraising.com/flower-and-bulb-fundraisers/

•TreeorSeedKitSale. http://www.go-green-fundraising.com/tree-seed-fundraisers/.

•SellEco-FriendlyProductsorServices:Tee-Shirts. http://www.ecosprouts.com/

Food, Coffee, Gifts. http://www.equalexchange.coop/fundraiser

Various Products. http://www.go-green-fundraising.com/school-fundraisers/

http://www.greenraising.com/

http://korufundraising.com/

Waste-free Lunch Supplies. http://www.onesmallstep.com/

Smencils. SmencilFundraisersaregreatforgroups wanting Green fundraising programs. These pencils are made from recycled news-papers and come with scented oils for a fun twist. http://www.go-green-fundraising.com/smencils-recycled-pencil-fundraiser/

•Alistofvariousgreenfundraisingopportunities. http://www.fundraisingweb.org/listings/recycle.htm

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ENERGY USE & REDUCTION

A detailed auditing of your schools energy use can require some extensive math and science skills and is typically done by middle or high school students. However, for all different grade levels to make a difference in reducing energy consumption, you don’t have to audit your entire school. Measuring your classroom’s environmental footprint — that is, how much of the earth’s resources your room typically uses — is a great first step toward making some green changes in your school. Plus there are many other activities and resources to help start teaching and reducing energy con-sumption.

Fact: October is National Energy Awareness Month

IDEAS & RESOURCES ____________________________________________________________

CalculateyourCarbonandEnvironmentalFootprint. Here are some sites to help you calculate your class’ number:

• CoolSchoolChallenge.org. http://www.coolschoolchallenge.org/Downloads/CoolSchool-Challenge-ClassroomToolkit.pdf

•RedefiningProgress. http://www.myfootprint.org/en/visitor_information/

•GlobalFootprintNetwork. http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

• LowImpactLiving. http://www.lowimpactliving.com/pages/impact-calculator/impact-calculator?gclid=CN-q8e7an5UCFRCiQQodzR5klA

•NationalGeographicGreendex. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/greendex/calculator/.

• MyFootprint.org. http://www.myfootprint.org/

ConductanEnergyAuditInTheClassroom. You don’t have get too technical to teach your students about energy use; you can simply take stock of where and how you’re using energy, by assessing where in the classroom or at home energy is going (and being wasted).

• CoolSchoolChallengehttp://www.coolschoolchallenge.org/

• HomeEnergySaverhttp://hes.lbl.gov/consumer/

•EPA,StudentSimpleEnergyAudit. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads/wheel_studentact3.pdf

•NOVATeachers,TheBigEnergyGamble. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/3519_en-ergy.html

•Ecokidshttp://www.ecokids.ca/pub/fun_n_games/printables/activi-ties/assets/energy/school_energy_audit.pdf

MoreEnergyUse&Reductionactivitiesfor students at all grade levels:

•U.S.DeptofEnergy—DOEOnlineK-12InstructionalResources.http://ed.fnal.gov/doe/index.html

•U.S.DeptofEnergy-ForStudentsandKids.http://energy.gov/science-innovation/science-education

•U.S.DeptofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandRenewableEnergy-EnergyLessonPlans,

Curriculum,andEducationalMaterials.http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/ default.aspx

•EnergyInformationAdministration’sKidsPage. Energy History, Information, Lesson PlansGames&ActivitiesandEnergyCalculatorby grade level. http://www.eia.gov/kids/

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•AlliancetoSaveEnergy — hundreds of teacher-submitted lesson plans. http://ase.org/lessonplans

•AlliantEnergyKids. Energy Conservation Lesson Plans for 4-5. http://www.alliantenergykids.com/TeachersandParents/EnergyConservationLessons/029646

•TheAtomsFamily. Learn about atoms, elec-tricity and more. http://www.miamisci.org/af/sln/

•Bang!Boing!Pop! iInteractive physics tutor. http://library.thinkquest.org/3042/?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0402

•BonnevillePowerAuthority. Energy efficiency and “Classroom-In-A-Box” program. http://www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/

•BuildItSolar. http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Educational/educa-tional.htm

•CanadaOn-LineScienceLessonPlans — EnergyLessons,K-8. http://canadaonline.about.com/od/sciencelessonplans/Sci-ence_Lesson_Plans_K8.htm

•ClassroomEnergy! Lesson Plans and Games to integrate Energy issues into classrooms. http://www.classroom-energy.org/

•DiscoveryChannelSchool. The Teacher Channel offers lesson plans for all major school subjects, teaching worksheets and other free stuff for teachers. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/energy-365/#fbid=IqMqE0e30I6

•EarthDayNetwork.LessonPlans&Resources.http://edu.earthday.org/teach

•EducationCorner—ScienceLessonPlans. http://www.educationcorner.com/lesson-plans-science.html

•EducationWorld. Lessons on energy. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2124.shtml

•EnergyQuest. Award winning energy educa-tion website developed by California Energy Commission. Videos, DVDs, Lesson Plans, Resources. http://energyquest.ca.gov/about.html

•ExploreScience. Interactive on-line explora-tion site. http://www.explorelearning.com/

•Exploring Energy With Toys — Complete Lessons for Grades 4-8. Beverly A.P. Taylor,

Terrific Science Press (National Science Foundationfunded)—McGraw-Hill,1998, ISBN: 0-07-064747-X.

•EnergyStarKids. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index

•EnergyQuest.http://www.energyquest.ca.gov

•FacingTheFuture,EnergyLessonPlans.Grades6-12. http://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/EcoSchools/tabid/402/Default.aspx#Energy_Conservation

•EnergyTeachers.org.Energy Lesson Plans. http://energyteachers.org/Links.php?LinkTopic

•FloridaSolarEnergyCenter.Teacher’s re-sources page with various curriculum. http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/education/index.htm

•FranklinInstituteOn-Line.Lesson Plans by subject matter. http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/activity/act-summ.html

•GeneralElectric(GE)LearningUnitonLight&Lighting. http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/gela/students/index.htm

•Geo-ThermalLessonPlan. Grades 5-8. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/pdfs/geothermal_ energy.pdf

•Girl-techLessonPlans. To teach mathematics and science concepts in new and exciting ways. http://teachertech.rice.edu/Lessons/

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•Hands-OnUniverse. Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley. http://www.handsonuniverse.org/

•HowAGeothermalPlanWorks. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/gpp_animation.html

•ImaginetheUniverseLessonPlans.Lesson plans and info from NASA. http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/teachers_corner.html

•InfinitePower.comLessonPlans. Texas State Energy Conservation Office lesson plans on renewable energy. http://www.infinitepower.org/lessonplans.htm

•InteractiveScienceTeacher.Interactive lesson plans for middle through high school students. http://www.interactivescienceteacher.com/

•Kidwind.Wind powered project. http://learn.kidwind.org/teach.

•LessonPlansPage.com.The Lesson Plans Pageisacollectionofover1,000lessonplans,primarily at the elementary level, that were developed by Kyle Yamnitz, students, and fac-ulty at The University of Missouri. More recent lesson plans were submitted by the users of the website. http://www.lessonplanspage.com/

•NationalEnergyEducationDevelopmentProject. http://www.need.org/

•NationalRenewableEnergyLaboratory.http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_basics.html

•NationalScienceTeachers’Association. Integrated Energy Lessons. http://learningcenter.nsta.org/search.aspx?action=browse&text=&price=0&product=diy&subject=0&topic=0&gradelevel=0&qolid=&state=&subid=&gl=&docyear=&sort=Relevancy

•NationalTeacherTrainingInstitute(NTTI). Video Strategies, internet strategies, lesson plans, and online workshops. http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/index.html

•NewYorkTimesDailyLessonPlan.Geared toward middle school and senior high. Various plans developed to use internet and on-line resources. http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/

•NOVAOnline.PBS programs on-line website. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/

•ProjectLearningTree.PLT’sEnergy&Societyprogram kit provides formal and non-formal educators with tools and activities to help students in grades PreK-8 learn about their relationship with energy and investigate the environmental issues related to energy’s role in society. http://www.plt.org/

•RutgersUniversity—HydrogenLearningCenter.K-12EducationResources. http://policy.rutgers.edu/ceeep/hydrogen/education/elem_re-sources.php

•ScienceNetlinks.Internet-based learning activities for the classroom. http://sciencenetlinks.com/

•ScienceOnline. Energy lesson plans K-6. http://classroom.jc-schools.net/sci-units/energy.htm

•SitesForTeachers.Hundreds of Educational SitesRatedbyPopularity. http://www.sitesforteachers.com/index.html

•Teaching Physical Science Through Children’s Literature — 20 Complete Lessons for Elementary Grades, Susan E. Gertz, et.al., Terrific SciencePress(NationalScienceFoundationfunded)—McGraw-Hill,1998, ISBN: 0-07-064723-2.

•SolarEnergyScienceProjects. http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/library/documents/NREL_So-lar_Projects.pdf

•TheTeacher’sCorner.Magnets and electricity. http://thematicunits.theteacherscorner.net/magnets.php

•Teacher’sLab.A Place for Teachers to Explore New Ideas in Learning. http://www.learner.org/teacherslab/

•TouchstoneEnergyKids. Lesson Plans for Kids. http://www.touchstoneenergykids.com/teacherzone/lesson-plans.php

•TVAKids. Energy Lesson Plans and Source Books for Teachers. http://www.tvakids.com/teachers/sourcebooks.htm

•U.S.DepartmentofEnergy,Dr.E’sEnergyLab.http://www1.eere.energy.gov/kids/

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RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE REDUCTION

Recyclingatschoolisahands-onwaytoshowstudentsthateverysinglepersoncanhelptoim-prove the environment. Students develop valuable problem solving and decision making skills in the process and get to work as a team towards a common goal.

Fact: Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970.

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•RecycleNowSchools. Waste Audit and Lesson Plans. http://www.recyclenow.com/schools/recycle_at_school_guide/activity_lesson_plans/index.html

•EducationWorld’sEarthDayArchiveofLessonsandResources.GradesPreK-12. http://www.educationworld.com/holidays/archives/earthday.shtml

•InternetScavengerHunt:Reduce,Reuse,andRecycle.Grades 3-8. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/hunt/hunt030.shtml

•ReusablePuzzlesArtProject.(Grades1-4).http://web.archive.org/web/20041015163900/http:/www.mcswmd.org/kids/rhebus.html

•TrashPizza. (Grades 4-8). http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/lesson59.html

•EarthDayTrashSurvey.(Grades3-12). http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/frames/Subjects/math/

•TheGreatLunchDilemma.(GradesK-12). http://www.laep.org/target/units/recycle/activities/activity4.html

•ReducingCafeteriaWaste. (Grades 4-6). http://web.archive.org/web/20021114110332 http:/www.mcswmd.org/kids/cafwaste.html

•TheGarbageDiet:ASkit. (Grades 3-6). http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/TrashGoesToSchool/GarbageDiet.html

•CrosswordRecycling. (Grades 4-6). http://www.borealforest.org/school/crosswd.pdf

•UnwrappingPackaging.(Grades4-12). http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/re-cycling_lesson_plans/13907/unwrapping_packaging/588512

•TheThrowawayThree:ASkit. (Grades 4-8). http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/TrashGoesToSchool/Skit.pdf

•Nature’sRecyclersColoringBook. (Grades K-3). http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/cool/natrec.htm

•AdventuresinWasteandRecyclingWeb-Quest. (Grades 3-6). http://www.williamstown.k12.ma.us/weblessons/WasteRecy-cleWebQuest/

•TheMagicSchoolBusMeetstheRotSquad.(Grades 2-5). http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/magic-school-bus-meets-rot-squad

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•TheLoraxandSustainableDevelopment.(Grades3-12). http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/resources/activities/lorax.phtml

•HouseholdHazardousWasteIdentification. (Grades 4-6). http://web.archive.org/web/20040606045342/http:/www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/tes/lessons99/hhw.html

• RecycledPoetry. (Grades 3-8). http://www.teachervision.fen.com/poetry/lesson-plan/5461.html

• MilkCartonArt. (Grades K-3). http://web.archive.org/web/20041029075347/http:/www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/tes/lessons99/milk_carton_art.html

•RecyclingActivities. (Grades K-6). http://web.archive.org/web/20041013101010/http:/www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/education/terrell/EnvAwareCur-riculumTerrell_ISD.html

•RecycledArt. (Grades 3-8). http://www.teachervision.fen.com/recycling/lesson-plan/3276.html

•WormBinUnit. (Grades 3-6). http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/NoFrames/subjects/science/b2u1.html

• Composting. (Grades 2-8). http://web.archive.org/web/20050308111036/http:/www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/tes/lessons99/composting.html

• “TwiceIsNice”RecyclingContestIdea. http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0894/et0894s3.html

•EnvironmentalEvents:EarthDayActivities. http://web.archive.org/web/20041013153826/http:/www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/tes/lessons99/earth_day.html

•“AmericatheBeautiful”MapfromRecycledTrash. http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/lesson1.html

•BuildaTrashCity. http://web.archive.org/web/20050308125314/http:/www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/tes/lessons99/trashcity.html

• ClassicTrash:BuildanEdibleLandfill. (Grades6-10). http://mypages.iit.edu/~smile/ch9202.html

• We’reDownintheDumps. (Grades 5-6). http://www.kidzone.ws/plans/view.asp?i=150

• WasteLessons. (Grades K-8). http://web.archive.org/web/20050305130618/http:/www.tn-rcc.state.tx.us/exec/sbea/tes/lessons99/subjectlist.html#waste

• Rah!Rah!Rah!RecycleUnit. (Grades K-4). http://web.archive.org/web/20040703174301/http:/www.pds.d21.k12.il.us/engaged/recycling/index.html

•EnvironmentUnit. (Grades 3-5). http://web.archive.org/web/20041009234431/http:/curry.edschool.virginia.edu/class/edis/590s4/Miller/Environ-ment_Unit.htm

•TrashbashersHandbook. Trash Experiments. http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/recycle/index.shtml

•RecyclingLessonPlansfromPennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection. (GradesK-12). http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/environmental_education/6013

•TheRecycleGames.(GradesPreK-12).You’veheard of the Olympic Games. How about the RecycleGames?TheRecycleGamesprovidegreat exercise as they teach about the impor-tance of recycling. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp308-02.shtml

•CompostingWithWorms.(GradesPreK-12). A classroom composting experiment dem-onstrates why worms are known as “nature’s recyclers.” http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp308-03.shtml

•HowLongDoesTrashLast? (Grades 3-8). Learn how long trash lasts in landfills in this small-group cooperative activity. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp308-04.shtml

•Copy-PaperScrapProjects.(GradesPreK-12). Two practical classroom activities for reusing scrap copy paper. http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp308-05.shtml

•Waste—WhereDoesItComeFrom?WhereDoesItGo? (GradesK-12). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/waste.htm

•LitterDetectives. (GradesK-12). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/litter.htm

•ClassroomPaperRecycling.(Grades6-12).http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/class.htm

•RecyclingSurvey.(GradesK-12). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/survey.htm

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•DisposalandRecyclingCosts.(Grades6-12).http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/costs.htm

•CompostingProject.(Grades6-12). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/compost.htm

•MotorOilRecycling.(Grades4-12). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/motor.htm

•UnwrappingPackaging.(Grades4-12). http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/enved/rec_lessons/unwrap.htm

•GreeningSchools:WasteReduction&Habits.LessonplansK-12.http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/view_cat_teacher.

cfm?id=79

•CleanSweepU.S.A. Comics and Lesson Plans. http://www.cleansweepusa.org

•U.S.EPA,ToolsToReduceWasteInSchoolsEducationalMaterial.GradesK-12Activitiesand Lesson Plans. http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/teach_curric.htm

•UniversityofNorthernIowaCenterforEnergy&EnvironmentalEducation. Waste ReductionLessonPlans.GradesK-12. http://www.ceee.uni.edu/Home/Programs/Education/Educa-tion/WasteReductionEducation/Education/LessonPlans/ByAlphaOrder.aspx

•TheStoryofStuff. Video. http://www.storyofstuff.com/.

•EarthDayNetwork.LessonPlans&Resources. http://edu.earthday.org/teach

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CLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL WARMING

One of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, climate change may seem to be a complex topic to teach. The following ideas and resources provide tools for teachers to help intro-duce the topic and help engage the students to take actions within their own schools, homes and communities.

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•ClimateChangeEducation.org. K-12SchoolLessonPlans,CurriculumandMaterials.http://www.climatechangeeducation.org/k-12/ecology.html

•NationalEnvironmentalEducationWeekEnergyLessons.GradesK-12. http://www.eeweek.org/resources/climate_curricula.htm

•EPA,ClimateChange,WhatCanYouDoAtSchool?ActionPlansToReduceGreenhouseEmissions. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.html

•NASAClimateKids.Grade K-5. Climate Kids de-mystifies global climate change science using simple illustrations, humor, interactivity, and age-appropriate language. http://climate.nasa.gov/kids/

•ClimateClassroomTeens,NationalWildlifeFederation.Grade6-12.Curruculumandlesson plans and action ideas. http://www.nwf.org/Global-Warming/School-Solutions/Eco-Schools-USA/Become-an-Eco-School/Pathways/Climate-Change/Curriculum/Climate-Classroom.aspx

•HappyFeetTwo,NationalWildlifeFederation.Grades K-5. Educator’s Guide and other materials about penguins and global warming and the impact on ocean habitat. http://www.nwf.org/About/NWF-at-the-Movies/Happy-Feet-Two.aspx/

•ClimateClassroomKids,NationalWildlifeFederation.GradesK-12. NWF’scomprehen-sive climate change website with classroom activities. http://www.climateclassroomkids.org/

•GreenTeacher,TeachingAboutClimateChange.http://www.greenteacher.com/tacc.html

•U.S.EPA,ClimateChange,Wildlife,andWildlandsEducatorsToolkit.Aids educators

in teaching about how climate change is affecting our nation’s wildlife and public lands and how to become a “climate steward.” http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/CCWKit.html

•U.S.EPA,Student’sGuidetoGlobalClimateChange. http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html

•FacingTheFuture,ClimateChangeLessonPlans.Grades6-12. http://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/EcoSchools/tabid/402/Default.aspx#Climate_Change_Literacy

•KidsCrossing,LivingintheGreenhouse. http://www.eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/index.htm

•PrehistoricClimateChangeandWhyItMat-tersToday. Smithsonian Lesson Plans. http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/les-son_plans/climate_change/index.html

•GlobalWarmingWebquest,KoshlandMuseum. http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/teachers/wq-gw-gd001.jsp.

•CO2:HowMuchDoYouSpew?WindowstoTheUniverse.Grades6-10.Studentsanalyzethe energy consumption of a hypothetical household. http://www.windows2universe.org/teacher_resources/teach_co2spew.html.

•PluggedIntoCO2.WindowstotheUniverse. Grades6-10.Studentsinvestigatetheenergyusage of various appliances and electronics. http://www.windows2universe.org/teacher_resources/teach_pluggedCO2.html

•AlaskaNativePerspectiveOnEarthandClimateChange.Teacher’s Domain.org.http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/ean/

•AntarcticaMelting:Astoryin4Acts. http://coseenow.net/antarctica/.

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•BeringSeaEcosystemCollection. http://www.polartrec.com/collections/bering-sea-ecosystem

•ClimateChangeWildlife&WildlandsToolkit. U.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgram. http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit/

•NASAGlobalClimateChange. Vital signs of the planet. http://climate.nasa.gov/

•NOAAOceanServiceEducation. Climate ChangeResources. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/welcome.html

•CoolSchoolChallenge. Puget Sound Clean Air. http://www.coolschoolchallenge.org/.

•CoolTheEarth. http://www.cooltheearth.org/

•CreateANewClimateForAction. Teens join to “green” the energy scene. http://www.epa.gov/climateforaction/

•EarthGauge. Links between the weather and environment. http://www.earthgauge.net/

•Earth,TheOperatorsManual. Downloadable videos and activities for the classroom. http://earththeoperatorsmanual.com/for_educators

•ClimateChangeattheNationalAcademies. Explore the impacts of climate change. http://dels-old.nas.edu/climatechange/ecological-impacts.shtml

•TheEncyclopediaofEarth,ClimateChange. http://www.eoearth.org/climatechange

•NOAAClimateServices. Multimedia Teaching Resources. http://www.climate.gov/#education

•NOVA,WarningsFromTheIce. Teacher’s GuideandResources. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings/

•NSTA,Ocean’sEffectOnClimateandWeatherSciencePack. http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/7/SCB-OCW.1.3

•UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme. The Billion Tree Campaign. http://www.plant-for-the-planet-billiontreecampaign.org/

•SERC,ClimateChangeandGlobalWarmingTeacherResources. http://serc.carleton.edu/serc/site_guides/climate.html

•TakeAimAtClimateChange. http://passporttoknowledge.com/polar-palooza/whatyou-cando/taacc/

•YoungVoicesOnClimateChange. http://www.youngvoicesonclimatechange.com/.

•EnergyTeachers.org. Lesson Plans. http://energyteachers.org/Links.php?LinkTopicSelect=7

•EarthDayNetwork.LessonPlans&Resources. http://edu.earthday.org/teach

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CLEAN AIR & REDUCING AIR POLLUTION

Air can be difficult to teach about because you can’t always see it, smell it, hear it, or taste it. But we cannot live without it, so learning how air quality affects our health and the health of our world is important. The pollution in the air, or “air hitchhikers,” can do more than just look dirty, it can harm plants and wildlife, it can destroy buildings and surfaces, it can affect human health, and it can con-tribute to acid rain, ozone depletion, and climate change.

Fact: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service urge Americans to “Be Air Aware” during Air Quality Awareness Week, April 30 - May 4, 2012.

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•EPA,TeacherResourcesandLessonPlansonAir. http://www.epa.gov/students/teachers.html#epaair

•AirDefenders: The Quest for Clean Air. http://www.airdefenders.org.

•AirPollution,What’stheSolution. Grades 6-12.Projectthatfocusesonoutdoorairpollution. http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/airproj/index.html

•AirNow,Teacher’sAirQualityResources. http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=learning.forteach-ers

•AmericanLungAssociationStateofTheAirReport. http://www.lung.org/about-us/publications/

•PBSKids.org,CleanAirDetectiveLessonPlan.Grade1. http://www.pbs.org/parents/eekoworld/lessons1_1.html

•CoolSchoolChallenge. Puget Sound Clean Air. http://www.coolschoolchallenge.org/.

•CountDownYourCarbon. http://www.countdownyourcarbon.org/

•ForcesofChange,Atmosphere&AirLessonPlans. Grade 6-8. http://forces.si.edu/atmosphere/05_00_00.html

•TheGreens. A site for kids with games on sustainability. http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/

•InTheAir.FreeEducationalMaterialaboutAirborne Toxins. http://www.lungsatwork.org/intheair/

•NASAClimateKids.GradeK-12.Geared toward students, the multimedia-rich Climate Kids site uses games, humorous illustrations and animations to help break down the impor-tant issue of climate change. http://climate.nasa.gov/kids/

•EPA,AirQualityIndexToolKitForTeachers. http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=resources.aqi_toolkit

•AirQualityIndexKidsPage.http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids.index

•CleanAirForKids.Whenisthebestdaytogooutandplay?http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids_home.index

•AirNowStudentsPage. http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=student.index

•PictureBook: Why is Coco orange? http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=picture_book.index

•SchoolFlagProgram. Helps children, parents, school personnel and the community be aware of daily air quality conditions using brightly colored flags. http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=school_flag_pro-gram.index

•CleanAirPartners.EducationalKitfromStateofMaryland.http://www.cleanairpartners.net/EducationOverview.cfm

•EPA,AirPollutionDistanceLearningNetwork. http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/eog/apdln.html

•IndoorandOutdoorAirPollution. Back-ground information and suggested classroom activities for middle and high school students. http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/pollution-main.html

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•TheCleanAirCampaign. Lesson plans by grade. http://www.cleanaircampaign.org/Your-Schools/Find-Air-Quality-Lesson-Plans-and-Resources/Lesson-Plans.

•EPA,IndoorAirQualityToolsForTeachers. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/teachers.html.

•TeacherPlanet. Lesson plans on Air Pollution &AcidRain. http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/airpollution.php

•NorthAmericanAssociationforEnviron-mentalEducation. Lesson Plans. http://eelink.net/pages/EE+Activities+-+Air+and+Climate

•EarthDayNetwork.LessonPlans& Resources. http://edu.earthday.org/teach

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REDUCING WATER USAGE

With links to weather, climate change, energy and public health, water is one of today’s most importantenvironmentaltopics.Followingarewateraudittools&resourcesforteachers:

IDEAS & RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________

•SchoolWaterAuditTeachersGuide (.pdf ) http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/audit_teachers_guide.pdf

•SchoolWaterAudit (.pdf ) http://www.eeweek.org/assets/files/Be_Water_Wise/School%20Water%20Audit%20-%20revised%20Jan.%202010.pdf

•SchoolWaterAuditReportOutline(.pdf ) http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/audit_report_outline.pdf

•SubmitSchoolWaterAuditDatatoEEWeek http://www.eeweek.org/water_wise/submit_audit.htm

•NationalEnvironmentalEducationWeekWaterLessonPlans.GradeK-12. http://www.eeweek.org/water_wise/water_audit.htm

•NationalEnvironmentalEducationWeekWaterCurricula.LessonsforK-12. http://www.eeweek.org/resources/water_curricula.htm

•EPA,WaterScienceandTechnologyForStudentsandEducators. http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/

•WaterUseItWiselyKidsSection. Tips and Games. http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/kids/

•EPA,WaterKids.Projects, art and experiments. http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/waterkids/kids.cfm

•EnvironmentalEducationforKids. Where DoesWaterComeFromandHowDoesItGetDirty? http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/groundwater/index.htm

•EPA,It’sTimeToTestYourWaterSenseQuiz.http://www.epa.gov/watersense/quiz/game.html

•WaterEducationFoundation.Factsaboutwater usage. http://www.watereducation.org/doc.asp?id=1022

•TheGroundwaterFoundation.BasicFactsand Classroom Activities for Teachers. http://www.groundwater.org/kc/kc.html

•DCWaterForKids.Factsandactivitiesforteachers. http://www.dcwater.com/kids/index.html

•HowMuchWaterDoIUse?Printable Work-sheet. http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmxs/es/pdf/5rs_3_4-4.pdf

•WaterUseMathQuiz. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/workbook/page8.pdf

•WeeklyWaterUseReportCard. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/workbook/page7.pdf

•EPA,WaterSenseKids.Factsandworksheetsfor teachers. http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/kids/

•H2OUniversity.GradeK-12.Educatingaboutwater issues with facts, science activities and experiments and games. http://www.h2ouniversity.org/html/index.html

•AdoptAWatershed.GradeK-12. http://www.adopt-a-watershed.org/

•DownTheDrain?On-line classroom project comparing water usage around the world from Stevens Institute of Technology. http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/drainproj/

•TheStoryofDrinkingWater. http://www.fcwa.org/story_of_water/html/story.htm

•Non-PointSourcePollution. The site includes projects for teachers and students, activities that demonstrate how kids can help keep pollution out of drinking water, and discussion about watersheds. http://protectingwater.com/

•ProjectWet.Worldwide Water Education with interactive curriculum. http://projectwet.org/

•GetWise.Water conservation tips and teacher lessons. http://www.getwise.org/index.php

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•USGS,WaterScienceForSchools. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/index.html

•WaterResourcesEducationInitiative.Water education posters for students through 8th grade. http://water.usgs.gov/outreach/OutReach.html

•WaterEducationFoundation.http://www.watereducation.org/

•WorldWaterMonitoringChallenge. http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/

•HowLowCanYouGo?TheWaterTableandAquifer.Grade K-2. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/How_Low_%20Can_You_Go.pdf

•SoMuchWater,SoLittleToDrink.Grade K-2. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/So_much_water.pdf

•WaterGoesAroundandComesAround. Grade 3-5. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/Water_goes_around.pdf

•WasteNot,WantNot.Grade 3-5. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/Waste_not_want_not.pdf

•WaterFiltration.Grade 6-8. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/Water_filtration.pdf

•InvisibleWater. Grade 6-8. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/Invisible_water.pdf

•Water,WaterEverywhere.Grade9-12. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/Water_waterHS.pdf.

•GroundwaterBasics.Grade9-12. http://www.eeweek.org/pdf/Groundwater_basics.pdf.

•ConservingWaterThroughArt. Grade K-4. http://www.eeweek.org/assets/files/EDN%20Water%20Les-sons/Conserving_Water%20_K4.pdf

•TheGroundWaterFoundation,KidsCorner(for students and teachers). Activities and Lesson Plans. http://www.groundwater.org/kc/kc.html

•NorthAmericanAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation.References and Lesson Plans. http://eelink.net/pages/Environmental+Links+-+Water

•EarthDayNetwork.LessonPlans&Resources.http://edu.earthday.org/teach

•GiveWaterAHand.Guide to watershed education. http://www.uwex.edu/erc/gwah/

•ChesapeakeBayFoundation.Education for parents, students and teachers. www.cbf.org.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS

JANUARY ______________________________________________________________________________

NationalRadonMonth. www.epa.gov/radon/nram/index.html

FEBRUARY _____________________________________________________________________________

NationalGreenWeek.February6-10,2012. http://www.greeneducationfoundation.org/nationalgreenweeksub

MARCH ________________________________________________________________________________

NationalGroundWaterAwarenessWeek.March11-17,2012. http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/awarenessweek.cfm WorldWaterDay.March22,2012.http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/

APRIL ____________________________________________________________________________ NationalCarCareMonth. http://carcare.org/NCCM

EarthDay. April22,2012.http://earthday.gov/

KeepAmericaBeautifulMonth. http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index

MAY ____________________________________________________________________________________

1stBiketoSchoolDay.May9,2012.http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/about-us/newsroom/bike-school-day

NationalBikeMonth.http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/

AirQualityAwarenessWeek.April30-May4,2012.www.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/airaware.html

AsthmaAwarenessMonth.http://epa.gov/asthma/awm/index.html

NationalGreenWeek

OCTOBER ______________________________________________________________________________

WalkToSchoolDay.October3,2012.http://www.walktoschool.org/

NOVEMBER ____________________________________________________________________________

AmericaRecyclesDay.November15,2012.http://americarecyclesday.org/

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