Waters, J.K. (2011). Teaching green. t|h|e Journal,38(4), 13-14 Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/04/06/teaching-green.aspx?sc_lang=en
John Waters provides many helpful online tools that educators can use to inform and initiate students about environmental issues. It includes resources for all grade levels and different utilizations of technology. Teachers can use these resources as lessons in the class depending on what grade level they teach. For example there is a website in which the students can take a virtual tour of the woods and discover a variety of plants, animals, and nature. It is helpful for all age groups and especially for those who are visual learners. These resources are very useful and beneficial for students to learn about the environment. There are an abundance of online resources available including quizzes to measure how big your ecological footprint is and 3D games where environmental disasters threaten to destroy the world. It makes it easy for teachers to come up with activities because it is a click away with several resources to choose from. Not only are there resources for the students, but also information about conferences and workshops specifically for teachers at The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Teaching Center. There is everything a teacher needs to know about the environment and how to integrate it into the classroom using lesson plans and activities simply through the use of online resources.
Q: What online resource would be most beneficial for Elementary level students and why?
A: A Walk in the Woods would be the most valuable resource to use in the classroom because it is simple for young kids to use and it teaches the students the basics of nature. The children are able to take a virtual tour of the woods and write down the things they encounter on the walk such as acorns, squirrels, mushrooms, etc.
Q: Do you think it is crucial to discuss environmental issues with children starting at a young age? If so, what grade level would be an appropriate level to begin?
A: Yes, I think it is important to start teaching children about environmental issues and how to preserve our planet at a young age. If we don’t start young, they won’t know how to help save the earth from pollution in the future. It can be as simple as recycling paper and glass bottles inside the classroom and at home or turning off the lights to save energy. It doesn’t need to be complex, but adding a few tips about the environment can be useful. An appropriate grade level to begin teaching about environmental issues would be Kindergarten.
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