Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future

Teaching Sustainability: Resources for Educators — The Center for Global Studies Why Teach Sustainability? The “why” of sustainability requires asking students questions that are future-oriented. As a result, teaching sustainability in schools raises climate change awareness and illustrates to students how they play a significant role in the solution of this problem. Resources Developed by the Center for Global Studies Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future Introduction Everyone loves a good story – especially the young people we teach. In fact, being able to tell a story in an interesting and compelling way is an important teaching skill. This is because a good story is not only entertaining but is capable of holding student attention while they learn important concepts, attitudes and skills. In her book, Earthtales: Storytelling in Times of Change, Alida Gersie (1992) notes that storytelling relates to current concerns about our future because most stories focus on the Earth, how it was created, and the problems that can arise when we forget the importance of living in harmony with it and each other.

What is education for sustainability? / EfS in the curriculum / Home - Education for Sustainability Education for sustainability is about learning to think and act in ways that will safeguard the future wellbeing of people and our planet. What will my students do in education for sustainability? Many contexts, topics or issues that students could explore have a connection to education for sustainability. There are opportunities in most areas for students to examine how the resources we use and what gets left over from living how we do affects the Earth.

20 Activities for Kids to Learn About Sustainability - Nature's Path Talking about sustainability with kids is incredibly important to do. However, it can be really tricky to know where to start. First, we need to help our kids understand what sustainability is. While a broad concept, sustainability basically boils down to understanding the impact that we have on the earth, and what we leave for future generations. We know that sustainability can encompass a number of things, from recycling to gardening, and in being resourceful with products and items that we use.

How to Teach Kids About Sustainability So you want to be a good role model and teach kids—whether your own, nieces and nephews or a classroom—how to respect nature, be mindful of the waste they create and more. In short, to teach them about sustainability. And have fun doing it. Where do you start? Photo courtesy of Shutterstock There are some quick pointers on how to do so, such as these 5 tips for teaching kids about sustainable living, geared to a younger audience: A Letter from the Future Thank you for listening to this message from future generations – those of us who will inhabit this lovely planet for many decades to come. Our voices are usually overlooked by your generations, so we are very appreciative of your willingness to listen to our perspective. Even though we live in a century very different from yours, we too work, play, talk, eat, laugh, hope, cry, sing, learn, worship, think, and wonder. You are alive at a pivotal moment in humanity’s development.

Plans for project-based learning with eTwinning A series of plans for project-based learning to encourage collaboration among schools, especially on the eTwinning platform. The plans were produced by participants of the course Open eTwinning: Project-Based Learning and the Community for Schools in Europe on Teacher Academy. The Open eTwinning: Project-Based Learning and the Community for Schools in Europe online course ran in 2018 on Teacher Academy and remains available for browsing. As part of the course, participants produced ready-to-go plans that would enable them to start a quality project, incorporating some of the ideas, tools, and activities covered on the course. These lesson plans have been selected by a participant editorial board, which has reviewed and selected the plans for publication here in the Teaching Materials section. The members of the participant editorial board were appointed to the board due to their exemplary work and commitment as part of the course and include:

15 Sustainability Activities, Ideas & Resources for the Primary Classroom What is Sustainability and How Do I Teach It? Sustainability is a cross-curricular priority in the Australian Curriculum and for a good reason. When we think about the definition of sustainability as: Make your classroom buzz! The Talking Elephant – AutoSTEM How to make a Talking ElephantA Talking Elephant is a simple automata toy that is suitable for construction by children from the age of 4 years. It consists of a cardboard box that has the face of an elephant at the front and at the back a lever that a child can use to make the elephant’s mouth open. It allows children to anthropomorphize the elephant automata and use it as an object of play while still gaining educational insights.