July 30, 2010

By: Josaine R. from Ozone Park, NY
Comments: 25

Posted By: Josaine Richards
On: 12/3/2007 4:22:00 PM

What do we think of the concept "Going Green", is this just a trend?

Posted By: Barbara Nikoomanesh
On: 12/5/2007 10:57:09 AM

In Merriam Webster on-line, one definition of trend is: to veer in a new direction. I would like to believe that Green Design is a trend that has gained more momentum and will be followed by more designers and builders. If we don’t consider conservation and recycling in the design process, our natural resources will eventually be depleted. In Green building, solar panels, low-flush toilets, tankless water heaters, vegetation to shade buildings and keep energy costs down are just a few green design ideas that can help to create environmentally sound, affordable and sustainable buildings. This trend is one that needs to catch on. Babs

Posted By: Kelly McCartney
On: 12/6/2007 8:42:13 PM

Babs, I couldn't agree more!!! When I did my lesson, I asked the students to design an eco-friendly home!!! They had such a great time researching and going to Home Depot, and other establishments to look for different materials that could be used. I agree that it is such a big issue that needs to be addressed. The longer we wait, the more harm that will be done. I find myself looking for more ways that I can be green at home and in my classroom.

Posted By: Judith Stroman
On: 12/26/2007 9:52:45 PM

I would love to know how you are adapting green design in your classroom. As an art teacher I am always about using recycled material not just in projects but in the classroom as well. I am interested in going beyond these methods as well. Please keep me posted.

Posted By: Karen Thomas
On: 12/29/2007 12:14:23 PM

"Going green", in my opinion, has to become an attitude first. As a science teacher, I have an ongoing dialogue that interlaces itself throughout the curriculum and our day-to-day conversations in the classroom. These conversations revolve around human activities and ways of thinking. For example, when discussing macromolecules recently in biology class, we talked not just about ways to make better choices for ourselves in terms of our diet but also ways that we, as consumers, can select only those products that are kind to the earth. My students are amazed that I refuse to buy products in unrecyclable containers, even when some of the products are things I love. They seem to have the attitude that consumers are "stuck" with what is out there on the shelves. My job is to change that attitude into one of empowerment, so that younger generations will press manufacturers to come around to what the consumer demands.

Posted By: Barbara Nikoomanesh
On: 1/3/2008 12:15:30 PM

Bravo Karen. This attitude is needed. Babs

Posted By: Carmen Espinal
On: 4/9/2008 10:52:07 AM

These are great ideas for a teacher who wants to start to incorporate "going green" into their classrooms. It might be a bit harder for a social studies teacher to do that, but maybe I can be taught through when it inter crosses with social and/or political issues? Do people have any suggestions?

Posted By: Jacalyn Moss
On: 4/9/2008 10:49:32 PM

"Going Green" is not chic; it's necessary.

Posted By: Judith Jastal
On: 4/10/2008 12:26:59 PM

Way to go, Karen! When you adhere to your principles it sends the message to students that small personal sacrifices for the greater good make a better world for all of us. Carmen, I don't know what grades you teach, but I can see looking at construction of homes and public buildings from a historical perspective. This would require researching architectural styles, available building materials, the invention of synthetics, and the impact of those materials over time. A study of different cultures may point out that groups who don't have some of the "advantages" we have live "green" all the time.

Posted By: Brittain Villaflor
On: 4/10/2008 4:11:02 PM

We've seen our PreK/K classes at school do a great job introducing these concepts to young children. It seems like a natural progression when it is related to conversations about social behavior such as consequences for ones own actions. I have seen the children stop and think about how they are going to use certain materials and what impact it could have on the environment in the long run. Their exploration of reducing, reusing and recycling helped prepare them for their current exploration of gardening. Now they are aware of ideas such as composting and growing fresh vegetables to eat right from the garden (as opposed to being packaged and shipped across the country). This is great preparation for when I get them in 1st grade and we explore not only the physical properties of water but the social impact of the need for fresh water for all humans around the world.

Posted By: Jacqueline Taylor
On: 5/25/2008 9:40:12 AM

Hi Brittain, Sounds like you are beginning with the right age group to make a difference in the mindful thinking that is necessary for a life change. Imagine the impact that this small group can make on their parents, grandparents and extended families! Jacqueline Taylor, New Orleans, LA.

Posted By: Jeri Schmenk
On: 5/27/2008 8:46:42 AM

I am glad to see the post about growing our own vegetables! Most of my students have never grown anything except what they grow in styrofoam cups for their mothers in a classroom (ironic, maybe next year I should entertain a "design lesson" on what else could be re-used from within the school to grow seeds). Growing plants is a past-time that can bring families together and instill pride in our youngsters. Unfortunately, I think too many adults view it as time-consuming or too difficult.

Posted By: Frances Brown
On: 7/9/2008 2:14:57 PM

Many New Orleans residents are part of a swelling, nationwide corps of backyard cultivators who are taking food production into their own hands for reasons that are mostly economic. Local gardeners have an additional motivation that many across the country do not share: filling a void left by markets that closed after Hurricane Katrina.Environmental stewardship and food safety add further incentives. When food grows steps away from a kitchen, it cuts the risk of contamination in the mass-produced food system and burns no fuel in transporting produce to the consumer.

Posted By: Heather Endres
On: 9/19/2009 6:47:02 AM

All of the above posts are very interesting. I too think that going green is an attitude and mindset that one needs to get into. I don't think it's a fad, but I think it's something we will see more of in the future. As a math teacher, I would love to go more green, but I'm not really sure how? I could encourage the students to buy notebooks made from recycled paper? Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Posted By: Sarah Rooney
On: 11/29/2009 1:47:37 PM

Growing up in Oregon, recycling programs were part of my life growing up. It wasn't until I moved to the Philadelphia region that I realized most people do not recycle, and that "going green" wasn't part of most people's lives. I think that recycling programs and the idea of "going green" needs to be incorporated into all of our schools across the nation, as it's the building blocks of respect. If we don't respect the world that we live in, how can we respect each other? I was brought up being taught that styrafoam (sp??) was BAD. The first school that I worked for gave students styrafoam trays everyday, twice a day. I'm still shocked at how much waste is produced in our lunchrooms. Then faculty and staff complain about students not cleaning up after themselves. Why would they? They're not taught to respect their environments on a basic level, how can we expect them to respect our classroom environments? I implement classroom recycling (re-using paper for projects), but we have no school-wide recycling program as of yet.

Posted By: Shannon Lewis
On: 11/29/2009 2:14:03 PM

I agree with you Sarah. At our school here in California, styrofoam trays are used each day. In the past plastic trays were used and washed daily. They changed to save money not to save our planet. I'm thinking the movement to be "green" has to start small in our classrooms and homes. We also do not have a school wide recycling program. As teachers we can begin recycling in the classroom. Maybe that would be a small step forward to changing attitudes about being "green"

Posted By: Suzanne Robinson
On: 11/29/2009 10:22:23 PM

Beginning recycling in the classroom is a great first step. One of the teachers at our school had her class create recycling posters that were laminated and posted around our school. Our school also ordered special recycling waste baskets for student and teacher use. I can't say that everyone uses them, but some effort is better than none.

Posted By: Jeffrey Sadoff
On: 11/30/2009 4:13:29 PM

Recycling in the class or school is a great step forward..the next step is getting the custodial staff and the district onboard. Chicago has a pretty dismal record of recycling in the city..and the students know this. This might be a job for the school service organization to tackle and bring attention to it. As well, the parent council ot local school council can become involved. JSadoff

Posted By: Debbie Taylor
On: 11/30/2009 11:02:12 PM

I agree with an above post about "going green" being an attitude first. I think children these days are brought up to in a very disposable minded society. I do see the benefits of plastic, but plastic commodities and packaging have become almost indispensable. And ironically, plastics have really not been in existence for all that long.