Professional Learning Opportunities on Climate Change and Environmental Justice
This week we feature a number of professional learning opportunities to help you advance environmental literacy in your classroom.
CBP Updates July 2022
We are delighted to share that Green Guardians is working with Ten Strands and CAELI to scale up the Community-Based Partner Hub.
Crossword on Plastic Pollution
Plastic is a big part of our lives, but it is also one of the biggest polluters on Earth. Do this crossword with your students and test their knowledge on plastics.
Plastic Free July, Zero Waste, and Teaching Climate Change Essentials
To raise awareness and mitigate the environmental impact of plastic pollution, we invite you to take the Plastic Free July challenge and say no to single-use plastics.
Bananas About Bananas
Through readings, activities and discussions, students trace the journey of bananas from farm to home and beyond, consider its environmental impact, and envision a greener journey.
Lesson Series Summary
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students trace the journey of bananas from farm to home and beyond, consider its environmental impact, and envision a greener journey.
Grades
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Pollution, 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: RI.K.1, RI.K.2, RI.K.3, RI.K.4, RI.K.6, RI.K.10, RI.1.1, RI.1.2, RI.1.3, RI.1.4, RI.1.6, RI.1.10, RI.2.1, RI.2.2, RI.2.3, RI.2.4, RI.2.7, SL.K.1, SL.K.2, SL.K.3, SL.K.5, SL.K.6, SL.1.1, SL.1.2, SL.1.3, SL.2.1, SL.2.2, SL.2.3
Science: K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3, K-2-ETS1-1
Guides
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. We encourage teachers to send the family guide to parents and guardians together with the storybooks and activities.
Lessons
Three lessons of 30-40 minutes each.
Lesson 1: The Banana’s Journey
Through a story and related activities, students explore the journey of bananas from farm to home and to the garbage dump and discuss how they get from point to point.
Lesson 2: The Pollution Problem
Through a story and related activities, students learn about the environmental impacts of the journey of bananas. These include the vehicles that transport them, the places they visit, the packages in which they are contained, and how the resulting waste is disposed of.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: Bananas and My Blue and Green Earth
Through a story and related activities, students discuss ways to make the bananas’ journey cleaner and greener. Concepts like clean energy, composting, and “shop local” are introduced.
Lesson Materials
Crossword on Air Pollution
Air pollution poses a huge threat to public health. Solve this crossword puzzle with your students to get familiar with key concepts and terms.
Clean Air, Nature Detectives, Tough Choices, and Summer Pilot!
Fifty two years ago, the United States Congress passed the 1970 Clean Air Act. Since then, it has reduced and controlled air pollution nationwide. This week we explore how we can improve air quality, keep the vulnerable safe, and ensure clean air for all.
Green Guardians K–5 Environmental Literacy Curriculum
Green Guardians lesson series are the only plug-and-play curriculum materials designed for elementary grades that cover core subjects through an environmental and climate change lens.
A Peek into Composting
Students explore the idea of “composting” as a way to recycle organic waste. They define compost, talk about what can and cannot be composted, and learn how they can help reduce waste sent to the landfill by turning certain food scraps into homemade fertilizer.
Lesson Overview
In this 40-minute lesson, students explore the idea of “composting” as a way to recycle organic waste. They define compost, talk about what can and cannot be composted, and learn how they can help reduce waste sent to the landfill by turning certain food scraps into homemade fertilizer. It is possible to compost both inside and outside the home by choosing the right size and type of bin. Red worms are also an option for speeding up the process of decomposition.
Grades: K–2
Environmental Topics
- Organic Waste
- Resource Conservation
- Green Guardianship
Lesson Materials
Relevant Lesson Series
This lesson can be taught with the lesson series below:
Crossword on Our Oceans
Do you know that the oceans are home to the most diverse living things on Earth? Solve this crossword puzzle to learn about marine ecosystems and the threats facing our oceans today.
