I'm a great believer in giving teachers innovative tools. Like those found so abundantly in the outdoor classroom. Can't beat a coral reef, an active volcano, an excavated village site, or a living glacier for providing teaching moments about the world and how it works. That's the idea behind Earth Explore. But for those who can't get out of the classroom just yet...how do you bring an awareness and excitement indoors?
Give teachers cool and usable tools for one thing. Again this fall, Earth Explore is supplying thousands of "Cool to Care" posters for classrooms all across the country. They carry a planet friendly message, and ideas for taking it forward into the community.
It all began last fall, and has taken off. To make it easy for teachers, our poster and companion classroom handout are now available online as pdf printouts. Just go to earthexplore.com/poster.html to get yours.
Teachers have told us that our "ten easy steps to protect the planet" have blossomed into classroom discussions with environmental education themes, and have served as a jumping off point for EE curriculum development.
All of which makes us happy, and will encourage us to develop more tools for our nation's great teachers in the coming months.
Monday, September 8, 2008
No Child Left Inside
We can't ignore it. If we believe in the value of outdoor education to unite and educate us, then this is a very important week indeed.
Amid the background noise of the revving up presidential contest, the fate of No Child Left Inside will likely be decided for the forseeable future. The US House of Representatives will vote on the 9th on whether to support environmental education in the schools...through teachers, curriculum support and funding. And in so doing, provide a nod or a nay to something virtually wiped out by the teach-for-the-test approach of NCLB.
Think of it. With glaciers melt rapidly in Alaska, polar bears swimming for their lives, high water lapping further up Pacific Island coastlines...we're having to battle to give kids the chance to learn about environmental education in US schools. Amazing right? Especially in that EE education provides many of the tools they will need to participate in and help solve one of the greatest planetary issues of the next century. Climate change anyone?
Environmental Education is a great unifier. Of ideas, disciplines and teaching. Its study draws in social science, physical and natural science, current events, geography and practically everything else.We support increased teaching of EE, and the goals of No Child Left Inside. Go to nclicoalition.org and send a message to your congressperson.
Amid the background noise of the revving up presidential contest, the fate of No Child Left Inside will likely be decided for the forseeable future. The US House of Representatives will vote on the 9th on whether to support environmental education in the schools...through teachers, curriculum support and funding. And in so doing, provide a nod or a nay to something virtually wiped out by the teach-for-the-test approach of NCLB.
Think of it. With glaciers melt rapidly in Alaska, polar bears swimming for their lives, high water lapping further up Pacific Island coastlines...we're having to battle to give kids the chance to learn about environmental education in US schools. Amazing right? Especially in that EE education provides many of the tools they will need to participate in and help solve one of the greatest planetary issues of the next century. Climate change anyone?
Environmental Education is a great unifier. Of ideas, disciplines and teaching. Its study draws in social science, physical and natural science, current events, geography and practically everything else.We support increased teaching of EE, and the goals of No Child Left Inside. Go to nclicoalition.org and send a message to your congressperson.
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