What is sustainability?

For our Eco Fun Fund, our October initiative is Sustainable Space.

Human beings are the only species on Earth that have the ability to alter our environment on a grand scale. From issues including Global Warming, Ozone Depletion, Overpopulation, and the need to feed people to Extinction of species, The Laurie Hawkins PS should learn how development and our industrial society can implement changes so that sustainability of our environment is achieved.


Many people question the meaning of sustainability. What does it really mean?

In short, Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.



How can I be more sustainable?

Be energy efficient, reduce waste, travel wisely, shop smart, and support your community. Here is a link that you can visit to get more details about each category and then you can think of ways to implement it in your daily lives.

http://www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=6601

Here is an idea that I found on images when I Googled sustainable classrooms.

The Sustainable Classroom: A Ideal Learning Environment For Students

The Sustainable Classroom: A Ideal Learning Environment For Students

This is a link to a site that can give you an idea of a sustainable classroom. It talks about how it was built and what it was made up of.

http://www.ecospacestudios.com/portfolio/schools/

Definition of Sustainability from Wikipedia:

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. Long-lived and healthy wetlands and forests are examples of sustainable biological systems. For humans, sustainability is the potential for long-term maintenance of well being, which has ecological, economic, political and cultural dimensions. Sustainability requires the reconciliation of environmental, social equity and economic demands - also referred to as the "three pillars" of sustainability or (the 3 Es).
Healthy ecosystems and environments are necessary to the survival and flourishing of humans and other organisms. There are a number of major ways of reducing negative human impact. The first of these is environmental management. This approach is based largely on information gained from earth science, environmental science and conservation biology. The second approach is management of human consumption of resources, which is based largely on information gained from economics. A third more recent approach adds cultural and political concerns into the sustainability matrix.
Sustainability interfaces with economics through the social and environmental consequences of economic activity. Sustainability economics involves ecological economics where social aspects including cultural, health-related and monetary/financial aspects are integrated. Moving towards sustainability is also a social challenge that entails international and national law, urban planning and transport, local and individual lifestyles and ethical consumerism. Ways of living more sustainably can take many forms from reorganising living conditions (e.g., ecovillages, eco-municipalities and sustainable cities), reappraising economic sectors (permaculture, green building, sustainable agriculture), or work practices (sustainable architecture), using science to develop new technologies (green technologies, renewable energy and sustainable Fission and Fusion power), to adjustments in individual lifestyles that conserve natural resources. Despite the increased popularity of the use of the term "sustainability", the possibility that human societies will achieve environmental sustainability has been, and continues to be, questioned—in light of environmental degradation, climate change, overconsumption, and societies' pursuit of indefinite economic growth in a closed system.^[1][2]

Evergreen.ca Teachers Corner

http://www.evergreen.ca/en/resources/school-ground-greening/teachers-corner/

Working in the Outdoor Classroom

Welcome to Teachers’ Corner, Evergreen's online educators’ resource. Here you will find a wide range of free online resources to help you get the most out of the outdoor classroom by sharing lesson plans from educators across the country who are already integrating greening projects with their curriculum.

Lesson Plans

• Search for Lesson Plans
• Submit Lesson Plans

Teaching Resources

• Tips and Techniques
• Before You Go Outside – Be Prepared
• School Ground Activity Kits
• General Lesson Structure – One Teacher’s Experience

Houseplants improve indoor air quality!

Much of the research on these beneficial houseplants has been done by NASA scientists researching ways to create suitable space station habitats. All indoors plants (flowering or not) are able to purify indoor air to some degree through their normal photosynthesis processes. But some were found to be more beneficial than others in removing harmful household toxins, even removing 90% of chemicals in the air in only twenty-four hours!
The three main household toxins of concern are:

• benzene
• formaldahyde
• trichloroethylene

These carcinogenic chemicals are used in the manufacturing of synthetic substances and materials and are off-gased from new materials for some time (up to several years, depending on the material of product in question). Benzene can also be emitted from gas ranges during use, making some types of houseplants below great for use in the kitchen. This means these types of houseplants may just decrease your risk of cancers, asthma, allergies, auto-immune disorders and other diseases.

http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/types-of-houseplants.html

Aloe (Aloe vera)

This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/photos/15-houseplants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality/a-breath-of-fresh-air

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/air-quality/news-10-fabulous-houseplants-absorbs-indoor-pollution?image=6

 

 The Ten Most Common Poisons Among Kids:

http://shop.sixwise.com/thetenmostcommonpoisonsamongkids11805.aspx

There are loads of benefits to having plants in the home and of course inside office buildings too. These include:

-  Plants can decrease stress while enhancing productivity by some 12%. People intuitively feel that the contact to plants and nature has a calming effect on them.

-  Plants in the workplace attract, retain and enhance the attitude of employees.

-  Plants help towards an energy efficient building whilst counteracting the effects of a sick building syndrome. Plants help with bottom line savings on sick leave expenses.

-  Plants help to reduce background noise levels in buildings. While some plant species are more effective than others, the benefits are more pronounced in buildings with hard, reflective surfaces.

-  Plants help improve humidity levels inside.

-  Plants help influence and improve particle content and odour quality of indoor air.

******************************************************************

And there are more. Simply 'Google' houseplants improving indoor quality and you will find yourself looking at literally hundreds of websites dedicated to this very subject. And they all say the same thing: houseplants indoors = increase air quality. 
Simple, really.  Don't we want to create the best atmosphere for our children, especially in a learning environment?

Green up the school

An article about how they are implementing different ideas and programs into the school to make it eco friendly, from food, energy, activities and school initiatives. I know this is in England, but there are some ideas that we could use to implement into our school.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/12/carbonfootprints-carbon-emissions

Life Cycles

Life Cycles: Lists of animals, quizzes and games

http://a-z-animals.com/reference/life-cycles/

What Are Life Cycles?
The life-cycle of an animal, includes all of the stages from the end of the last generation to the beginning of the next. Life-cycles vary in time depending on the species of animal, and can be as short as just a few weeks for insects, to up to 200 years for sea urchins. Despite the time differences, all animal cycles begin with the growth and development process, which is then followed by reproduction. The reproduction stage in the cycle of life marks the end of the cycle and many animals often die after they have reproduced just once.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity for kids

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/biodiversity/

Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term used to describe the variety of life found on Earth and all of the natural processes. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural diversity, and the connections between these and all species.

Habitats

Habitats: Awesome National Geographic Link.  Lots of Info!!

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/

Example:
Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture takes many forms, but at its core is a rejection of the industrial approach to food production developed during the 20th century.
This system, with its reliance on monoculture, mechanization, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, biotechnology, and government subsidies, has made food abundant and affordable. However, the ecological and social price has been steep: erosion; depleted and contaminated soil and water resources; loss of biodiversity; deforestation; labor abuses; and the decline of the family farm.
The concept of sustainable agriculture embraces a wide range of techniques, including organic, free-range, low-input, holistic, and biodynamic.
The common thread among these methods is an embrace of farming practices that mimic natural ecological processes. Farmers minimize tilling and water use; encourage healthy soil by planting fields with different crops year after year and integrating croplands with livestock grazing; and avoid pesticide use by nurturing the presence of organisms that control crop-destroying pests.
Beyond growing food, the philosophy of sustainability also espouses broader principles that support the just treatment of farm workers and food pricing that provides the farmer with a livable income.
Critics of sustainable agriculture claim, among other things, that its methods result in lower crop yields and higher land use. They add that a wholesale commitment to its practices will mean inevitable food shortages for a world population expected to exceed 8 billion by the year 2030. There's recent evidence, though, suggesting that over time, sustainably farmed lands can be as productive as conventional industrial farms.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Biotic and abiotic factors are interrelated. If one factor is changed or removed, it impacts the availability of other resources within the system.

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210243/Science%20Station/How%20living%20things%20interact%20with%20their%20environment/relationship%20of%20biotic%20and%20abiotic%20factors.htm

Biotic Factors
Biotic, meaning of or related to life, are living factors. Plants, animals, fungi, protist and bacteria are all biotic or living factors.
Abiotic Factors
Abiotic, meaning not alive, are nonliving factors that affect living organisms. Environmental factors such habitat (pond, lake, ocean, desert, mountain) or weather such as temperature, cloud cover, rain, snow, hurricanes, etc. are abiotic factors.
A System
Biotic and abiotic factors combine to create a system or more precisely, an ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of living and nonliving things considered as a unit.
The Impact of Changing Factors
If a single factor is changed, perhaps by pollution or natural phenomenon, the whole system could be altered. For example, humans can alter environments through farming or irrigating. While we usually cannot see what we are doing to various ecosytems, the impact is being felt all over. For example, acid rain in certain regions has resulted in the decline of fish population.

Alternate Energies

Alternative Energies:  Lots of science ideas for kids.  Choose Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced to get a list of age appropriate projects for alternative energy and power.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/Intro-Energy-Power.shtml

An example:
A Battery That Makes Cents
Batteries are expensive, but you can make one for exactly 24 cents! In this experiment, you will make your own voltaic pile using pennies and nickels. How many coins in the pile will make the most electricity?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in that order!)

The three R's of the Environment - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775891.html

Every year, Americans throw away 50 billion food and drink cans, 27 billion glass bottles and jars, and 65 million plastic and metal jar and can covers. More than 30% of our waste is packaging materials. Where does it all go? Some 85% of our garbage is sent to a dump, or landfill, where it can take from 100 to 400 years for things like cloth and aluminum to decompose. Glass has been found in perfect condition after 4,000 years in the earth!
We are quickly running out of space. It's time to learn the three R's of the environment: reduce, reuse, recycle. Then practice what you preach: don't buy things you don't need or items that come in wasteful packaging or that cannot be recycled. Reuse and recycle whatever you can.

Eco Crafts!

Here are a few links to eco craft websites. Some are great and filled with a whole bunch of ideas, others only have a few. But...all here are worth it IMHO. ;)

http://planetforward.ca/blog/tag/eco-friendly-crafts-for-kids/

http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/soda-bottle-terrarium.htm
Make A Soda Bottle Terrarium

Pinterest Much?

If you haven't already checked out the latest phenomenon, Pinterest - you really should.

Basically, it's a virtual board of visual ideas.  You find a website with an idea/picture/recipe/craft/etc. and 'pin' it. You will have to pick a picture off the site, and you can give a brief (or long!) description, and you are done. Then you can go look at all your visual pins and click straight to the website!!

Sometimes you can just sign up, and sometimes you need to be invited. So, if you need an invite, email me! otiiva@yahoo.com

Here is a board of Green Crafts for Kids!!
http://pinterest.com/planetpals/green-crafts-for-kids/

Enjoy!!

Green Your Classroom!

"You might already be teaching your students about the importance of environmental stewardship with lessons from our free K-8 curriculum. Why not bring the message closer to home by turning your classroom or school into the ultimate sustainable spot?"

 

 This green living post (part of the Rainforest Alliance website) gives great tips on specifically 'greening up your classroom'. It's a great place to start. (There's always more to do!)

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/green-living/classroom?gclid=COb96-OkmLUCFbSnPAodx1oAGQ

The website also has lots of other green initiatives throughout their website.  You may even see the Rainforest Alliance around - in coffee for instance. Research it, and maybe it will inspire you to change...then let it inspire your students!

 

********************************************************************************

Rainforest Alliance:
Our Innovative Approach

The Rainforest Alliance harnesses the power of the marketplace to arrest the major drivers of environmental destruction: timber extraction, agricultural expansion, cattle ranching and tourism. Our work ensures that hundreds of millions of acres of forests, farms, ranchlands and hotel properties meet rigorous sustainability standards and that the rights and well-being of people employed by these enterprises are safeguarded. And by giving consumers a reliable way to identify responsibly produced goods and services -- via the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal and Rainforest Alliance Verified™ mark -- we demonstrate that sustainable businesses thrive in our global economy.

20 Earth Day Crafts & Activities For Kids

  http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/04/20-earth-day-crafts-activities-for-kids.html

I like the recycled UFO!!

Happy Earth Day! :)

Earth Day Canada website

http://www.earthday.ca/pub/

Great information about Earth Day in Canada:
MONDAY APRIL 22, 2013

Download all the resources you need to get your Earth Day
project started today.

Action packs:

• Communities Action Pack
• Schools Action Pack
• Employees Action Pack

Actions:

• Budgets and Fundraising
• Clean up a Community Site
• Backyard Compost Program
• Stage an Ecofestival
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Marvellous Meetings
• Public Event Staging
• Publicity and Promotion
• Rehabilitate Community Sites
• Organize a Consumer Survey

Then, follow the 'Ecokids' link to:
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/take_action/en/index.cfm

As a teacher, you can sign up to receive:

******************************************************************

• A fleet of new lesson plans tailored to the Ontario Elementary Science and Technology curriculum, incorporating the 2008 Environmental Education Scope and Sequence of Expectations resource guide (more new lesson plans will be added throughout the year)
• Corresponding printable handouts and assessment materials for each lesson
• Activity sheets and topical handouts
• A searchable interface of our resources categorized under a point-and-click version of the Elementary Science and Tech Curriculum Overview chart
• A national contest called “The Great EcoKids Challenge” modified especially for teachers wishing to use class time for an environmental project with curriculum-linked ideas and assessment tools
• Literacy Corner—a resource list of environmental books with corresponding teaching tools
• English as a Second Language lessons and resources
• A “Class Kits” section where you can order our EcoCalendar, stickers, tattoos, bookmarks and posters
• Profile pages for other EcoKids schools that list their activities and accomplishments
• And much more!

Registering with EcoKids provides you unlimited access to our Teacher’s Lounge resources for the duration of the school year. You can renew your membership in September 2009.
Your yearly registration gives us an accurate and up-to-date contact list that allows us to periodically inform you of new and exciting resources. We greatly appreciate your participation!
Please note: Anyone registering between July 1st and August 31st will automatically be signed up for the following school year, beginning September 1st, 2009. (You will not need to re-register.)

          *****************************************************************
A great website - Enjoy!

Easy-peasy...

Our first post! :D

Welcome to "My Teacher is Green!"! I hope you enjoy the helpful tips and websites! Come back soon!