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My Green School

Students follow the story of Coco and her friends and their quest to turn their school green. They look into how energy and resources are being used in different spaces and discover that their cafeteria is the least environmentally friendly.

Unit Overview

Through readings, activities and discussions, students follow the story of Coco and her friends and their quest to turn their school green. They look into how energy and resources are being used in different spaces and discover that their cafeteria is the least environmentally friendly. In their investigative process, Coco and her friends learn about the causes of food waste and the impact it has on our planet. They explore ways to cut food waste and plan for a healthier, greener environment at school.

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2

Lesson Type

In-class or online lesson

Environmental Literacy Domains

Green Guardianship, Health, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Human Development, Waste Management

Environmental Literacy Core Principles

For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.

Standards

ELA: RL.K.1, RL.K.2, SL.K.1, SL.K.2, SL.K.3, SL.K.4, SL.K.5, SL.K.6, W.K.2, W.K.8, RL.1.1, RL.1.2, SL.1.1, SL.1.2, SL.1.3, SL 1.4, SL.1.5, SL.1.6, L.1.4, L.1.5, W.1.2, W.1.8, RL.2.1, RL.2.3, RL.2.6, RL.2.7, SL.2.1, SL.2.2, SL.2.3, SL.2.4, SL.2.6, W.2.2, W.2.8
Science: K-ESS3-3, K-2-ETS1-1

Guides

Teacher Guide

This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around a family’s use of energy and resources and how to make the home a greener place. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide has been created. Teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.

Family Guide (English)

Lessons

Four lessons of 30-40 minutes each. 

Lesson 1: Time for a Walk

Through a story and related activities, students discuss what it means to be green. They look at the ways we use energy and other resources and determine if certain actions impact the environment positively or negatively. They review what it means to go zero waste, to practice the 3Rs, and to minimize our carbon footprint.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 2: Problems in the Cafeteria 

Through a story and related activities, students learn what food waste is and how human perception and actions contribute to the problem. They discuss underlying problems that result in certain wasteful practices specific to the cafeteria. They also explore ways that individuals or the school can reduce food and other waste that goes to the landfill.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 3: Show and Tell Time  

Through a story and related activities, students think of how they can reduce food waste that goes to the landfill––focusing on reducing the amount of food that goes uneaten and reusing and recycling food waste. They come up with a few solutions and take up the challenge to design a greener school lunch to make the cafeteria a greener space.  

Lesson Materials

Lesson 4: Green School Presentations (Civic Extension)

Through a video, students learn about different ways to turn their school green. Next, they work in groups to examine their schools and find places that could be greener. They give Show and Tell presentations to illustrate the problems they found and to propose solutions. 

Lesson Materials

Hub Updates, New Lesson Series Workshops, and More!

This week we are so excited to share the latest news and events taking place in the environmental education sector. From upcoming workshops to updates to the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub, we have rounded up some helpful articles and resources that can help advance environmental literacy in your community.

This week we are so excited to share the latest news and events taking place in the environmental education sector.

From upcoming workshops to updates to the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub, we have rounded up some helpful articles and resources that can help advance environmental literacy in your community.

Exploring Biodiversity with K-2 Students

Professional Learning Workshop

This virtual professional learning workshop focuses on building teacher capacity for integrating environmental literacy instruction and science instruction in K–2. This workshop and the corresponding pilots are designed to provide teachers with the confidence and instructional materials to advance environmental literacy in their classrooms.

Important Dates:

November 17th: Workshop 4:30-6:30 PM Pacific Time 

November 17th – February 18th: Pilots, surveys, and challenge submissions (optional) 

February 25th: Class engagement challenge winners announced 

Register by Nov 12th!

Register Today! Only 50 Participants

COP 26 News and Updates

Collective Elevation Resources for K-12 Educators

The Uk is hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October – 12 November 2021. COP26 is a conference that unites the world under the common goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Here are a few of the goals COP26 leaders hope to achieve:

1. Secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach

2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

3. Mobilise finance

4. Work together to deliver

Download COP26: Explained

New Partners on the Hub!

In the month of October, we had 8 new community-based partners join the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub!

Let’s give a warm welcome to:

Create Your Account on the Hub Today!

News and Events

Best Practices of Outdoor Learning: What Does It Mean to Move from an Indoor Educator to an Outdoor Educator?
Nov. 10, 2021 National Wildlife Federation

In this second workshop of the Schoolyard Habitats® Webinar Series, we will hear from a panel of experienced teachers who regularly use their schoolyard habitats and communities as outdoor classrooms.

Explore Climate Solutions with free En-ROADS Climate Simulator
Nov. 10, 2021 Tenafly Library Friends

Susan Golden for an hour-long interactive workshop to see which of our actions have the biggest impacts on mitigating climate change. We will also look at the equity concerns and co-benefits of our actions.

Exploring Biodiversity with K-2 Students: PD Workshop
Nov. 17, 2021 Green Guardians

This virtual professional learning workshop and the corresponding pilots are designed to provide teachers with the confidence and instructional materials to advance environmental literacy in their classrooms.

Africa’s first continent-wide survey of climate change literacy finds education is key
Oct. 29, 2021 The Conversation

Researchers from the University of Cape Town, South Africa and the University of Connecticut published work in Nature Climate Change studying the magnitude of this challenge by looking at rate of climate change literacy in Africa.

Photos show a climate change crisis unfolding—and hope for the future
Oct. 29, 2021 National Geographic

Melting ice, wildfires, heat waves, floods: These images show life in a warming world, and solutions to address it.

Opinion: Make environmental literacy required learning
Nov. 01, 2021 Montreal Gazette

Canada – The study of climate science and sustainability should become as basic as math, biology and language.

How do the U.N. forest declarations compare?
Nov. 04, 2021 Mongabay

On November 2, 2021 at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (#COP26), 127 countries signed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use which commits them to eliminate forest loss by 2030 as part of their collective efforts to combat climate change…

COP26: Everything to know about the climate change summit on 4 November
Nov. 04, 2021 World Economic Forum

This round-up brings you everything you need to know about the COP26 climate summit, climate change and greenhouse gas emissions targets.

To sensitize students about climate change, overhaul environment education in Indian schools
Nov. 04, 2021 Firstpost

Developing self-reliance through environmental education in students requires an active engagement with local communities that have adopted sustainable practices over generation.

Nadhim Zahawi: Climate change to be at the heart of education
Nov. 05, 2021 Public Sector Executive

Speaking at COP26, the Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has announced a range of new measures to centre climate change as a key part of education.

My Journey to Zero Waste

Students compare and contrast two birthday parties (one that generated a lot of waste and one planned around “zero waste”), consider the environmental impact of one’s personal waste, gain an understanding of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and learn to practice zero waste in their own lives.

Lesson Series Summary

Unit Overview

Through readings, activities, and discussions, students compare and contrast two birthday parties (one that generated a lot of waste and one planned around “zero waste”), consider the environmental impact of one’s personal waste, gain an understanding of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and learn to practice zero waste in their own lives.

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2

Project Type

In-class or online lesson

Environmental Topics

Environmental Justice, Green Guardianship, Pollution, Resource Conservation, Waste Management

Environmental Literacy Core Principles

For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.

Standards

ELA: RL.K.1, RL.K.2, RL.1.1, RL.1.2, RL.2.1, RL.2.2, RL.2.3, W.K.2, W.K.8, W.1.2, W.1.8, W.2.2, W.2.8, SL.K.1, SL.K.5, SL.K.6, SL.1.5, SL.1.1, SL.2.1, SL.2.2, SL.2.3
Math: K.OA.A.1, K.MD.B.3, 1.NBT.A.1, 1.MD.C.4, 2.OA.A.1, 2.MD.D.10
Science: K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, K-2-ETS1-1

Guides

Teacher Guide

This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around environmental literacy. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.

Family Guide (English)

Family Guide (Spanish)

Lessons

Five lessons of 30-40 minutes each.

Lesson 1: After the Party

Through a story and related activities, students discuss the cleanup
experience after a character’s wasteful birthday party and define
waste. They begin to question how and why we waste things and
what steps we can take to reduce waste.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 2: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Through a story and related activities, students revisit the cleanup
after the wasteful party and discuss how the waste the characters
made could have been reduced, reused, and/or recycled.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 3: A Zero Waste Party

Through a story and related activities, students learn about zero
waste and discuss how the characters plan and participate in a zero
waste birthday party.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 4: What Do I Throw Away?

Through counting and graphing activities, students calculate and
discuss the types of waste a character creates in his daily life and how he can reduce, reuse, and recycle it. Then they fill in a picture graph on
what they themselves throw away.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 5: My Zero Waste Poster

Through a collaborative graphing and drawing activity, students work
with partners to fill in a picture graph and calculate the kinds of
waste they throw away in a day. They create a poster detailing
actions they can take to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Lesson Materials

Fall Programs on the Hub

This week, we are excited to share some of the programs available this fall for K-12 students through the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub (the Hub)!

This week, we are excited to share some of the programs available this fall for K-12 students through the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Community-Based Partner Hub (the Hub)! 

With a wide array of programs offered throughout the fall season, the Hub is a great place to start when looking for environmental education-focused field trips, camps, competitions, and more! Our environmental education community-based partners have programs for students of all ages with a variety of free and fee-based opportunities.

Don’t wait to sign up for your 2021 fall program! See the list of available programs below, and visit the Hub to learn more!

Join the Hub Today!

Fall Programs

Bird School Project Life Science Unit Field Trips – Grades 5-12, Half & Full Days, Fee

Bird School Virtual Class Visits Virtual – Grade 7, Fee

City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Tour Field Trip – Grades 3-12 & Adults, Free

Classroom Aquarium Education Program (aka Trout in the Classroom) Field Trip, Virtual, School-based, Workshop – All Grades, Fee

Coastal Art & Poetry Contest Competition – Grades K-12, Free

Coastal Institute Field Trip, Residential Camp – Grades K-12, Half & Full Days, Fee

Distance Learning: Cal Academy of Sciences Virtual – Grades K-8, Free

Emerald Bay Overnight Science Camp Residential Camp – Grades 5-12, Fee

Energize Schools Competition, Educational Event, School-Based, Virtual, Professional Development – All Grades, Free

Enhanced Whale Watching Cruise (1st-6th) Field Trip, After-School, Camp – Grades K-6, Full & Half Day Field Trip, Residential & Day Camp

Fall: Trees as Habitat After-School, Homeschool, Professional Development, Virtual – Grades K-3, Fee

Farm Discovery at Live Earth Field Trips Field Trip – All Grades, Half & Full Days, Fee

Forestry Challenge Competition, Educational Event – Grades 9-12, Fee

Heal the Bay Aquarium Field Trips Field Trip, Virtual – All Grades, Fee

Living Classroom After School/Enrichment After-School, Educational Event, School-Based, Virtual – Grades K-8, Fee

Marine Protected Area Science Cruises (7th-12th grade) Field Trip – Grades 6-12, Full Day, Fee

Marine Science Institute  

Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Let’s Go Outdoors – All Grades, Field Trip, Free

Rock! Pattern! Systems!  Field trip, School-Based – Grade 4, Full Day, Free

School & Group Environmental Science in Yosemite National Park Residential Camp – Grades 4-12, Fee

Spaces & Species Field Trip Field Trip, School-Based, Virtual – Grades 3-5, Full Day, Free

Ocean Conservation Leaders – Grades 9-12, After School or Virtual, Fee

Waterwise Community Center Instructor-Led Field Trips Field Trip, Homeschool, School-based – Grades K-12, Free

You(th) Be the Change – Grades 6-8, Afterschool, virtual, school-based, Free 

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.

A Review on IPCC’s AR6 Report

Earlier this month, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released its Sixth Assessment Report on the latest scientific understanding of climate change, human’s role in it, and present and future implications. The facts were astounding.

Earlier this month, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released its Sixth Assessment Report on the latest scientific understanding of climate change, human’s role in it, and present and future implications. The facts were astounding.  

Some major points that were covered: 

  • Climate change is a universal problem and is affecting every country across the world 
  • Human activity has been the main cause of climate change 
  • We are far from meeting the Paris agreement targets of less than 1.5-2°C of warming 
  • An increase in global temperatures will cause detrimental effects on our climate 
  • There is an immediate need to reduce emissions and reaching net zero carbon emissions 

The climate crisis is no longer about avoiding the effects of climate change, it’s about mitigating the environmental damage and human suffering that will follow. We need individuals in all industries and sectors to approach their work and everyday lives through an environmental lens and this will require a much deeper understanding of how natural and human systems interact. We need to rethink our siloed approach to education and integrate environmental education across all core subjects and disciplines in K-12 and higher ed.  

We must advance environmental literacy for all. Our future depends on our ability to protect our environment. We’ve left our youth with a crisis, let’s at least provide them with the 21st-century skills needed to solve it. Join us as we advance environmental literacy, raise awareness of the climate crisis, and equip students in K-12 with the knowledge and tools to act as Green Guardians!

For an easy to navigate summary of the report and its findings check out Andra Yegohian’s brief overview here.

Relevant Links 

IPCC Sixth Assessment Report for Educational Leaders 

Despite the serious implications of [the report] findings, the K-12 education sector has a great opportunity to be a part of the most important teachable moment humanity has ever experienced: surviving and thriving in the climate era. 

CAELI Community-based Partner Hub 

The Hub promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of environmental education community-based partners and their products and services and fosters educator-partner relationships for increased student enrichment and engagement. 

Bananas about Bananas Lesson Series Kit  

Grades K-1: Through readings, activities, and discussions, students trace the journey of a banana from farm to home and beyond, consider its environmental impact, and envision a greener journey. 

My Journey to Zero Waste Lesson Series Kit 

Grades K-1: Through readings, activities, and discussions, students compare and contrast two birthday parties (one that generated a lot of waste and one planned around “zero waste”), consider the environmental impact of one’s personal waste, gain an understanding of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and learn to practice zero waste in their own lives. 

Youth Climate Action Organizations 

Check out the top youth organizations fighting for climate action and promoting environmental literacy!

Green Living Checklist 

Download and share the 15 Actions for Green Living checklist!

News and Events

CalNat Coastal Institute at Camp Ocean Pines immersion course
Aug. 22, 2021 California Naturalist

This residential immersion program includes seven days of field trips and lectures from enthusiastic leaders with decades of experience in the field.

Marine Naturalist Teachers’ Program
Aug. 23-27, 2021 The Whale Museum

This is a dynamic and high-quality virtual program for K-12 teachers with the objective of providing a learning experience that enhances your knowledge and classroom lessons.

Webinar: Building on Student and Community Assets to Achieve Equity in STEM Education
Aug. 25, 2021 STEMscopes

This interactive webinar will engage participants in a discussion about the inequities observed in our STEM classrooms and how we can address contemporary issues of inequity through collaboration with school leaders, parents, and the community to “build back better.”

11 Biggest Environmental Problems Of 2021
Aug. 05, 2021 Earth.org

The climate crisis is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and we are not ready for it. While the crisis has many factors that play a role in its exacerbation, there are some that warrant more attention than others. Here are some of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime. 

Green-Books.org Promotes Environmental Education in Schools Across Indonesia
Aug. 06, 2021 Fair Planet

Green-Books.org is an educational project that introduces environmental topics in schools across the Indonesian archipelago. It does so through the work of environmental and educational experts who create interactive activities for children and teach them how to protect nature.

Monday’s IPCC report is a really big deal for climate change. So what is it? And why should we trust it?
Aug. 06, 2021 The Conversation

On Monday, an extremely important report on the physical science of climate change will be released to the world. Produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the report will give world leaders the most up-to-date information about climate change.

OPINION: Indigenous knowledge is essential to solving the climate crisis
Aug. 09, 2021 Thomson Reuters Foundation News

This year we have seen the deadly impacts of climate change hit places that were not prepared: historic raging wildfires and megadroughts in the Western United States, heatwaves in Canada, floods in Germany and China, hurricanes in the Caribbean.

Copyright © Green Guardians Inc.

My Animal Friends

Students follow the story of Timor, a “bug enthusiast”, who rescues a monarch caterpillar from his backyard and takes it to school to try to save it.

Unit Overview

Through readings, activities and discussions, students follow the story of Timor, a “bug enthusiast”, who rescues a monarch caterpillar from his backyard and takes it to school to try to save it. Students will consider the environmental impact of pesticides and habitat loss on pollinators and learn what they can do to help protect and increase the population of monarch butterflies.

Grades

  • Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2

Lesson Type

In-class or online lesson, PBL activity

Environmental Topics

Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Environmental Justice, Green Guardianship, Sustainable Human Development

Environmental Literacy Core Principles

For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.

Standards

ELA: RL.K.1, RL.K.2, SL.K.1, SL.K.2, SL.K.3, SL.K.5, SL.K.6, W.K.2, W.K.7, RL.1.1, RL.1.2, SL.1.1, SL.1.2, SL.1.3, SL.1.5, SL.1.6, L.1.4, L.1.5, W.1.2, W.1.8, RL.2.1, RL.2.3, RL.2.7, W.2.2, W.2.8, SL.2.1, SL.2.2, SL.2.3, SL.2.5, SL.2.6
Math: K.CC.A.1, K.CC.A.3, K.CC.B.4, K.CC.B.5, K.OA.A.2, 1.OA.C.5, 1.OA.C.6, 2.OA.A.1, 2.OA.B.2
Science: K-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-LS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3

Guides

Teacher Guide

This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around monarch butterflies and other pollinating insects (like bees) and the challenges facing them. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.

Family Guide (English)

Family Guide (Spanish)

Lessons

Three lessons of 30-40 minutes each and an optional project.

Lesson 1: Timor and the Caterpillar

Through a story and related activities, students discuss the characteristics of monarch butterflies and define life cycle. They observe the metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly and learn what monarch butterflies need to live.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 2: Butterfly Research

Through a story and related activities, students learn about pollination and the interdependency of living things. They learn of the dangers facing monarchs today, especially weedkiller and bug spray. They begin to think of ways they can help save monarch butterflies.

Lesson Materials

Lesson 3: Help My Animal Friend

Through a story and related activities, students pose questions along with the characters about monarch butterfly waystations and discuss how they can put one on their school grounds.

Lesson Materials

Project: Our Butterfly Waystation

In this project, students will design and plant a monarch butterfly waystation and make a plan to manage it.

Lesson Materials