A new, free online tool now provides K-12 teachers with the ability to upload and share lessons focused on sustainability.
The Sustainability Education Clearinghouse, launched by the Green Education Foundation and the Center for Green Schools, provides teachers with green-themed lessons that have been tested and proven in the classroom. They cover a broad spectrum of subjects and grade levels, uploaded for teachers by teachers, and can help schools looking to achieve Green Ribbon recognition. Visit www.SEClearinghouse.org.
Learning about all things green has gone to the dogs, with the help of TurfMutt. Students can gain appreciation of the environment and an interest in the green space in the community with classroom resources for grades 3-5. With TurfMutt as a guide, classes will go outside, investigate the benefits of green spaces and understand the importance of lawns, flowers, bushes and trees. Visit http://turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com/educators.cfm.
Lesson plans include: How Green is Your Community?; Using Plants to Save Energy; Breath of Fresh Air; Soil Erosion and Runoff; Helpful Habitats; and Eat Your Plants!
Gift of green
A $25 gift to the National Resource Defense Council will outfit a teacher with the tools needed to teach children about saving our planet. The council's Green Teacher kits include sustainable living guides about recycled paper, energy efficiency and toxic chemicals, plus easy-to-use information for saving threatened BioGems and subscriptions to Nature's Voice and OnEarth. For more information, visit www.nrdc.org and click on "green gifts."