New Materials in the CRC
Here are just a few of the new resources subscribers to our Curriculum and Resource Center can access now. Not a subscriber? Check out the video tour, then download a guest pass to see samples lessons.
Looking for an historic and geographic overview of food systems? Don't miss Life Before Ketchup. In these lessons, learners map the geographic origins of common foods to gain an overview of how trade has shaped food systems over time. To explore this more deeply, learners research and document significant events in “food history” such as Columbus' voyage, the introduction of synthetic fertilizers, and the “green” revolution. Reading selections are provided.
Elementary teachers: Support sustainability-based literacy instruction with the document Illustrated Vocabulary Cards. This document provides an editable collection of illustrated vocabulary cards featuring pictures of common foods, objects, plants, animals, and other elements in the environment and community. A variety of climates and ecosystems are represented. Teachers can add cards, or add vocabulary for different languages. The document also includes teaching suggestions for using the cards to develop language and writing skills using sustainable communities and food systems as a context.
Looking for a way to help students understand global energy trends? Check out Energy: Where are we headed? In this data-rich lesson, learners evaluate trends related to global energy consumption, production, and climate issues; and assess if the trends are moving the world towards sustainability. Learners discuss implications, then identify and diagram connections among related economic, environmental, and equity issues.
Think renewable energy is something new? Guess again--and learn more with our new Powerpoint resource, History of Energy. This graphic-rich file offers an outstanding overview of the history of solar, wind, hydro, and other forms of energy. Use in combination with the lesson above, as well as other energy materials in the CRC.
Looking to pull it all together? We've got you covered. The CRC offers an easy to search database as well as fully-developed units and course modules. Each module pulls together an outstanding set of lessons and projects, and presents them in a logical sequence that supports engagement, deep inquiry, and meaningful applications in the school, community, or the larger world. Learn more.
Download the national standards met by our programs (PDF). Contact us to discuss questions related to your state's standards.
CRC Video Tour
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Upcoming Events
We'll be highlighting our K-12 and Higher Ed work with presentations and workshops at these national and state conferences:
North American Association for Environmental Education (October 1, Buffalo, NY)
- From Environmental Education to Education Reform: Advancing K12 Sustainability Leadership. This presentation will focus on the schools in our leadership grant. Read an overview.
- Engaging Students in Community Revitalization and Brownfields Redevelopment. This presentation will highlight our Our Town program.
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (October 9, Denver, CO)
- Interdisciplinary Sustainability Curriculum in Higher Education: Strategies and Resources. This session provide strategies for reframing courses to integrate interdisciplinary content using core sustainability concepts as a context. Learn more about our Higher Education programs.
Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (October 4, Mount Pleasant, MI)
- Connecting K-12 Education Reform and the Green Economy. This session will focus on strategies to use renewable energy and other sustainability sectors as platforms for in-depth curriculum change. Learn more about our K-12 programs.
80 Teachers, 3 States, 1 Focus: Exceptional Teaching and Learning
Highlights from our summer programs:
June: Michigan
We provided a three-day intensive workshop for science and social studies teachers from 4 schools representing Jackson and Washtenaw Counties. The interdisciplinary program focused on food systems, energy, and local-global economic connections. Teachers dove into topics ranging from farm-to-school to cultural history and walked away with strategies and resources to reframe history and science courses. Units will be implemented and evaluated in the fall. The program is made possible with support from the James A. and Faith Knight Foundation and the Jackson County (MI) Mathematics and Science Center. We thank these sponsors for their generous support.
Mid-July: New York
Creative Change was the lead presenter at the 2010 Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation Summer Institute, held July 12-16 at Manhattanville College. This year's institute focused on the Ecological Footprint and life cycles, and served teachers and interdisciplinary teams grades 6-12.
Late July: Massachusetts
Our first Boston Institute, also made possible through CELF, was a great success. We met 40 Boston-area teachers, including 15 from the nation's oldest public school, Boston Latin. The school's students and their Youth Climate Action network was the catalyst for this program, designed to further an on-going sustainability initiative that incudes plans for green roof. Check out the school's outstanding work as featured on the Today Show.
Food and Energy Systems: A Unit/Course Module for Grades 9-12
Creative Change is pleased to announce "Food and Energy Systems," a fully-developed instructional module now available in the Curriculum and Resource Center.
The unit's rigorous lessons and projects engage students in inquiry and action related to food systems. In the first stage of the unit, learners explore fundamental questions about health, well-being, and the food system. In the second stage, learners build an interdisciplinary knowledge base about food-energy interactions and how these factors affect their food footprint. Specific topics include life cycle analysis, energy transfer in food chains, the role of fossil fuels in the food system, the history of the global food system, and price-cost analysis. In the last stages, learners explore decision-making strategies and action projects focused on advancing sustainable food systems.
The unit provides enough instruction for 6-9 weeks. Sample lessons:
- Community Food Systems Map: Students map elements of the food systems, identifying local-global connections behind food production, processing, transportation, etc. (45 min.)
- Energy Transfer in Food Chains: Through a simulation, learners experience the 10% energy transfer among tropic levels in a food chain. (45-60 min.)
- Biography of Three Potatoes: Students compare and contrast the energy, resources, and wastes involved for three potatoes, each grown and processed in a different way. (60-90 min.)
- Life Before Ketchup: Learners map the geographic origins of common foods to gain an overview of how trade has shaped food systems over time. To explore this more deeply, learners research and document significant events in “food history” such as Columbus' voyage, the introduction of synthetic fertilizers, and the “green” revolution. Reading selections are provided. (90-120 min.)
CRC Subscribers, log in now to access these materials. Not a subscriber? Learn more about the CRC and affordable subscription options.
New Article: Teaching Sustainable Economics
We're pleased to announce the publication of "Sustainability and Economics 101: A Primer for Elementary Educators," an article appearing in the inaugural issue of the peer-reviewed Journal for Sustainability Education. Creative Change's Executive Director, Susan Santone, is the author.
The work begins with a comparison of ecological and "conventional" economics principles, providing a good overview for any reader. The article then introduces teaching ideas for the early grades with a focus on equity; many of the activities are adaptable for older learners.