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The following links have been selected to help teachers, community members and students continue to grow and exercise their environmental knowledge.
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This resource document assists teachers in bringing environmental education into the classroom in each subject area in Grades 1 to 8. Most of the expectations connected with environmental education are found in science & technology, social studies, history, and geography. In other subject areas, connections can be made to environmental topics or issues in vaious ways, and some suggestions are given in brief comments. [Excerpts below] ...
Environmental Education is an appreciation for the dynamic interactions of:
*The Earth's physical and biological systems
*The dependency of our social and economic systems on these natural systems
*The scientific and human dimensions of environmental issues
The positive and negative consequences, both intended and unintended of the interactions between human-created and natural systems
Shaping Our Schools, Shaping Our Future (Environmental Education in Ontario Schools (June 2007) p 6)
Environmental education "is the responsibility of the entire education community" ... It is an approach to critical thinking, citizenship, and personal responsibility and can be modeled. It is a context that can enrich and enliven education in all subject areas, and offer students the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with themselves, their role in society, and their interdependence on one another and the Earth's natural systems" (page 10).
The increased emphasis on science, technology, society and the environment within this curriculum document provides numerous opportunities for teachers to integrate environmental education effectively into the curriculum. The STSE expectations provide meaningful contexts for applying what has been learned about the environment, for thinking critically about issues related to the environment, and for considering personal action that can be taken to protect the environment. Throughout the grades and strands, teachers have opportunities to take students out of the classroom and into the world beyond the school to observe, explore, and investigate. One effective way to approach environmental literacy is through examining critical inquiry questions related to student's sense of place, to the impact of human activity on the environment and/or to systems thinking.
The following are some examples:
*A sense of place can be developed as students investigate structures and their functions in their neighbourhood, consider different ways in which food is grown in their community, and explore the impact of industries on local water systems.
*An understanding of the effects of human activity on the environment can develop as students consider the impact of their actions
*Systems thinking can be developed as students understand what a system is and how changing one part of it (e.g. introducing zebra mussels into a local lake) can affect the whole system
Green Street:
http://www.green-street.ca/home/index_e.htmlThe site provides opportunities for teachers and students to become better informed, active environmental citizens. The site links schools in Canada to reputable environmental education organizations across the country providing everything from opportunities for workshops to internship placement information for aspiring young environmental leaders.
Eco-Kids:
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfmThis interactive, fun site is curriculum-based and aims to educate and motivate young Canadians from ages 7 to 12 with topical environmental information, web-based quizzes, games, hands-on activities and much more. It is the perfect site for teachers or parents looking for a fun environmental activity to engage their class or children.
Eco-Mentors:
http://www.ecomentors.ca/pub/This site was designed to equip high school students to become eco-mentors, to local elementary school students while gaining valuable volunteering experience. The site comes with direct links for lesson plans and other valuable environmental programming.
Zoo Action:
http://www.zooaction.ca/Is an excellent site for students interested in species at risk and wildlife conservation. It comes with web-based quizzes and games as well as lesson plans for teachers.
Wattwize:
http://www.wattwize.ca/This site is the perfect supplement to scientific programming. It challenges students and teachers to do an energy audit of their school. It also provides important resources and curriculum links. This is the perfect site for students interested in science and energy conservation.
Roots & Shoots Program:
http://www.rootsandshoots.org/An excellent program to get students involved with taking action about environmental problems they identify. Created and designed by the Jane Goodall Institute, this site is full of helpful resources and interesting activity ideas.
The David Suzuki Foundation:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/This site is fully loaded with valuable information about current environmental issues. It also provides students, youth and adults with the opportunity to get involved in environmental conservation strategies by taking the “Nature Challenge.”
Conservation Halton:
http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/index.cfmThis site offers information about local environmental programming and conservation efforts. It also has a comprehensive list of local environmental education programs that students can get involved with.
Hamilton Area Eco-Network:
http://www.hamiltoneconet.ca/member_groupsOffers a comprehensive listing of environmental organizations in Hamilton’s community that work every day to make positive environmental change. Many of the organizations that participate in Earth Day Hamilton’s annual Eco-Festival are listed on this site.
E-Zone
: www.ontario.ca/ezoneThe Ontario Ministry of the Environment developed this site with the three-fold goal of: Educating children on the challenges facing our planet; Encouraging further independent exploration of environmental issues; and Motivating young people to be mindful of the impacts their actions have on the environment, and to choose actions that will help protect the planet.
www.obviously.ca:
www.obviously.caobviously.ca is the brainchild of a group of 20-something-year-old Ontario government employees. The purpose of the site is to bring you up to speed on environmental issues, and to give you a slew of answers to the age-old "What can I do?" question.
Campsite 24:
www.campsite24.caBring Ontario's parks and protected areas into your classroom with these lesson plans based on the Ontario Curriculum Guidelines for Grades 2 to 6.
Earth Day Canada:
www.earthday.caEarth Day Canada has lots of programs that help with environmental education
Ontario Envirothon:
http://www.ontarioenvirothon.on.ca Ontario Envirothon involves schools across the province
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Ministry of Education's Environmental Education Resource Guide, April 2008 (Ontario Curriculum 1-8) http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/environment.html
Environmental Education is an appreciation for the dynamic interactions of:
*The Earth's physical and biological systems
*The dependency of our social and economic systems on these natural systems
*The scientific and human dimensions of environmental issues
The positive and negative consequences, both intended and unintended of the interactions between human-created and natural systems
Shaping Our Schools, Shaping Our Future (Environmental Education in Ontario Schools (June 2007) p 6)
Environmental education "is the responsibility of the entire education community" ... It is an approach to critical thinking, citizenship, and personal responsibility and can be modeled. It is a context that can enrich and enliven education in all subject areas, and offer students the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with themselves, their role in society, and their interdependence on one another and the Earth's natural systems" (page 10).
The increased emphasis on science, technology, society and the environment within this curriculum document provides numerous opportunities for teachers to integrate environmental education effectively into the curriculum. The STSE expectations provide meaningful contexts for applying what has been learned about the environment, for thinking critically about issues related to the environment, and for considering personal action that can be taken to protect the environment. Throughout the grades and strands, teachers have opportunities to take students out of the classroom and into the world beyond the school to observe, explore, and investigate. One effective way to approach environmental literacy is through examining critical inquiry questions related to student's sense of place, to the impact of human activity on the environment and/or to systems thinking.
The following are some examples:
*A sense of place can be developed as students investigate structures and their functions in their neighbourhood, consider different ways in which food is grown in their community, and explore the impact of industries on local water systems.
*An understanding of the effects of human activity on the environment can develop as students consider the impact of their actions
*Systems thinking can be developed as students understand what a system is and how changing one part of it (e.g. introducing zebra mussels into a local lake) can affect the whole system