Think Green!

1. Think Green! Integrate Science into the Everyday Classroom By Joyce Dutcher, Ed.D. University of Houston-Downtown dutcherj@uhd.edu

2. Basic Science Process Skills • Observing • Classifying • Communicating • Measuring • Predicting • Inferring

3. In an Early Childhood Classroom, Thinking Green Means… Rebuy Recycle Water Conservation Energy Reduction Waste Management Reduce Pollution Prevention Rethink Model, Model, Model

4. My Little Green Book By____________ Steps • Fold an 8 ½ x 11” sheet of green paper in half, then into quarters, and finally into eights. • Reopen it into the half layout. • Once this is done then tear half way down the center fold. • Open the paper. Re-close in half long way. • Push the two ends together like an accordion. • You have now created a 6 page book with a cover. • Title your book: My Little Green Book

5. Reduce Reuse Think creatively, share ideas. How might these be incorporated into developmentally appropriate practices? Recycle Rebuy

6. Literature, Ideas and Resources Recommended by Others Literature • The Lorax by Dr. Seus (Air) • The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole (Water) • Weatherwatch by Valerie Wyatt (Air; Pollution) • Where Does Our Garbage Go? By Joan Bowden (Recycling)

7. A Curriculum Integration Activity… The Little Old Man Who Could Not Read by Irma Black

8. How might you use… • A newspaper • Magazines • Cereal cartons (small and large) • Empty boxes/rolls, etc. • Plastic bags and bottles • Used water, • Soil, sand or rocks, • Odds and ends, and more... For reading, math, science,social studies, and other content areas…???

9. Things to Make • Mobiles • Future buildings • Collages • Book holders • Wrapping paper • Center games/activities • Transition aids • Placemats • Tactile Mural • Bird Feeders • Parachutes • Things that Go; Float; Create Sound, etc.

10. A Project Sample Dear Parents,  This month we are talking about 3-D shapes in math.  We are doing this while also beginning to learn about money and while adding onto our counting and graphing skills.  As you can see, we are working on many skills over time. J  To get kids thinking on a higher level, we will look at how 3-D shapes are integrated into architecture.  This give a real purpose for knowing these shapes!   Julie’s parents are both architects and they are going to visit our room to talk a bit about their work.  They have helped build schools and they know a lot about computer designed buildings.  We are so fortunate to get to hear from them firsthand!  They are also helping with our playground's internationally themed structures! We hope to add a little piece about green building and the Heifer Building here in town.  After that, the kids will be asked to build their own building out of boxes, paper towel or wrapping paper cylinders, etc.  They can add landscapes if they like.  They can make a house, school, library, bank, church, etc.  These will be made from recycled materials only.  Just like the Heifer building.  I am hoping that these can be displayed outside of the lunchroom for all to enjoy.  Please begin saving boxes, cylinders, etc.  These will be due after Xmas so take lots of time and use all of your Xmas packaging to have fun.  Size limit:  No larger than a 2 foot square base and 4 feet tall.  A sign telling the name of the building and the architect (child's name) should be a part of the design. No glass but anything else can be used! Let me know if you have any questions1  Your child should get to do as much of the work as possible!!! I am very excited to see what our classroom architects will design! J Jan Robbins Kindergarten Teacher Little Rock, AR

11. Sample Activities • Water Cycle Relay • Worm Composting • Your Ideas…

12. Be a Role Model • Turn off computers, monitors or other electrical devices when not in use. • Enlist energy watchers • Automate your water usage • Create classroom/school recycling bins • Go paperless or reuse paper

13. Become A… • Forest Friend • Creative Artist • Critical Thinker and/or Problem-solver • Water Conservationist • Energy Saver • Health and Safety Advocate • Caregiver of our Earth

14. References & Resources • Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission; • Keep Texas Beautiful; • Project Learning Tree; • Texas Water Commission; • Project Wild; Project Aquatic Wild; • Texas Council for Elementary Science; • Texas Association of Earth Science Teachers; • And More….