| In support of growing environmental concerns, the | | | | want to use your imagination for more practical uses |
| federal government and many states are funding | | | | than a spaceship or a cave). Whether you're using |
| green schools. | | | | plastic grocery bags as trash can liners or reusing old |
| Many of these eco-friendly schools are experimenting | | | | t-shirts or awkwardly fitting clothes as pillow cases, |
| with everything from solar and wind energy sources, | | | | scarves, smocks, etc (called t-shirt reconstruction), the |
| recycled building materials, and natural lighting to using | | | | possibilities are endless!! |
| green products and pesticides, implementing energy | | | | Fun Classroom Example: Add empty plastic milk jugs |
| efficient technology and incorporating environmental | | | | or empty boxes as part of your students' classroom |
| issues in curriculum. | | | | supply lists. Cut the jugs or boxes in half and let your |
| While it would be ideal if all schools could be green | | | | students decorate them. They can serve as |
| schools, it is difficult to find the time and money to | | | | "mailboxes" for returned homework assignments or |
| reconstruct and convert currently existing schools. | | | | for distributing special gifts or prizes. Your students will |
| Even if your school can't or won't invest in eco-friendly | | | | love sending and receiving mail! |
| changes, you can still do your part and have a positive | | | | 3. Cut down the use of electricity. |
| impact on your students, your school, and your | | | | While it may seem difficult to do so considering we live |
| community. | | | | in a technology driven society, it is not impossible!! Be |
| Just because you don't have a green school, does not | | | | on the look out for energy saving products and be |
| mean you can't have a green classroom. | | | | mindful of leaving appliances on when you're not using |
| The following is a list of easy and immediate ways to | | | | them. Something as little as turning the lights off when |
| make your classroom more eco-friendly: | | | | you leave a room or using natural lighting in place lamp |
| 1. Go Paperless | | | | lighting can make a huge difference. |
| Whenever possible, have your students turn in | | | | Fun Classroom Idea: If weather permits, have class |
| homework assignments online or through email. This | | | | outside!! You and your students will enjoy the fresh air |
| will cut down on the use of paper, chemicals and | | | | and change of scenery. On sunny days, let that light |
| electricity for Xeroxed worksheets all while | | | | shine in and turn off the indoor lights. |
| incorporating technology into your classroom. | | | | 4. Incorporate environmental lessons into curriculum. |
| ** Note: If you choose to assign homework on paper, | | | | Reinforce your actions with you words. Even if you |
| request that your students use recycled paper. Upon | | | | aren't a science teacher, you can still make |
| completion, have your students recycle their paper | | | | environmental issues applicable to your lessons. |
| assignments at the end of the quarter when all | | | | Whether it be writing your local Congressman about |
| assignments have been graded and recorded into | | | | your environmental concerns or using recycled |
| your grade book and after parent-teacher | | | | materials in art class, incorporating green-inspired |
| conferences. | | | | lessons will spark student interest and creativity as well |
| Teacher Tip 1: When students ask if they can throw | | | | as help them better understand the importance of their |
| out old assignments, simply reply, "Yes, you may | | | | eco-friendly efforts. |
| recycle it." It's a nice way to get your eco-friendly | | | | Teacher Tip: Have your students present their own |
| message across while answering their question. | | | | ways to be green and implement their suggestions in |
| Designate a recycle bin in your class and even include | | | | the classroom! Assign captains to help monitor the |
| "recycle monitor" as a classroom job. | | | | progress of each student proposal. This will help your |
| Teacher Tip 2: Make sure your students use both | | | | students reach goals and build leadership qualities. |
| sides of every sheet of paper. Old assignments are | | | | These few, easy steps are meant to be a jumping off |
| perfect for scrap paper. | | | | point for you and your students. As you become more |
| 2. Find new uses for existing products. | | | | comfortable with these simple classroom changes, you |
| As a child, your imagination ran wild allowing you to turn | | | | will find yourself thinking of more creative ways to be |
| a simple empty box into a spaceship or even a cave. | | | | green. Who knows, maybe your habits could inspire a |
| Why not channel your inner child's imagination and find | | | | schoolwide eco-friendly initiative! |
| new uses for existing products? (Granted, you will | | | | |