No Need to Jump Thru Hoops for "Loop Scoops!"

My latest Internet discovery:  A super duper troupe of groovy mini movies!  Backed by PBS & Annie Leonard of The Story of Stuff, you can't go wrong!

Entitled "Loop Scoops," these video snippets were created to stimulate the minds of youngsters, and get them critically thinking about the "stuff" that's in their lives.

From the Story of Stuff website:

Each SCOOP tells the story of something kids use or see everyday — a juice box, a magazine, an electronic gadget, a glass of juice, a pile of garbage. Our goal is to get kids thinking in new ways and asking new questions, like: What is this made of? Where did it come from? Who made it? What happens when I throw it away?

To see a sample Loop Scoops on "Garbage," click below or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c5cnM_TdHw.

Your true wealth though, will be if you go to http://pbskids.org/loopscoops/garbage.html where you'll also find "Garbage" (above) and also see their other "Loop Scoops" videos on the subjects of:

• electronic gadgets
• juice boxes
• magazines
• orange juice
• frogs
• happiness
• velcro

To learn even more about this new gem, go to the article "Introducing Loop Scoops" where it details Annie Leonard's involvement. (You may remember Annie Leonard from Internet sensation of educational animation: "The Story of Stuff.") To read all about it, go to http://www.wgbh.org/impactcommunity/kids_media_matters.cfm.

With all of this, I'm sure you're finding yourself asking, "What could be better than 'Loop Scoops'?"  

The answer:  Teacher Resources & Lessons Plans to go with "Loop Scoops!"

Each video montage has it's own associated lesson plans (also influenced by Annie Leonard) at http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/lpsc/.  Geared for classrooms teaching grades 1--4, these lesson plans give broader depth to many topics, often times combining videos for greater connections when used together. 

Lesson plan topics at the TeachersDomain website that integrate the Loop Scoop videos include:

• Biodegradation ~ for grades 3-4
• Electronics gadgets ~ for grades 1-4
• Frogs ~ for grades 1-4
• Happiness ~ for grades 1-4
• Garbage ~ for grades 1-4
• Juice Boxes ~ for grades 1-4
• Magazines ~ for grades 1-4
• Needs & Wants ~ for grades 1-2
• Orange Juice ~ for grades 1-4
• Product Life Cycle ~ for grades 3-4
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ~ for grades 1-2
• Velcro ~ for grades 1-4

Bottom Line:  If you are looking for a way to infuse more environmental education and critical thinking in your curriculum, http://pbskids.org/loopscoops/ and http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/lpsc/ are 2 great places to go!

Image from www.storyofstuff.com

RSA Animate ~ Another Good Find!

Loving the new find of RSA Animate...hope you are too!

Here, investigate

"Where Good Ideas Come From" by Stephen Johnson.

From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU

RSA Animate--Changing Education Paradigms

The following was a little tidbit I found on a Facebook teacher pal's page...and it's definitely food for thought -- not only for all teachers, but truly for just about anyone.  

I think the video below ("Changing Education Paradigms") from RSA Animate speaks volumes in regard to how we approach education these days.  I also think it speaks well for the environmental education shift that some schools/states are making.  It parallels the importance of educating in stimulating ways and getting kids "out in the woods."  That holds true whether you're following Henry David Thoreau's philosophy of days gone by from his 1854 Walden, or the more modern yet parallel view of Richard Louv's Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder

As an aside...I'm also eager to see what other video resources RSA Animate has as they are magnificent works of art while simultaneously being chock-full of great information!  Click the video or the title above, or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U to see the RSA Animate--Changing Education Paradigms.

Image from a scene in the above mentioned RSA Animate video.

February 2011's Green Team Gazette's Monthly Newsletter

It's February...

a new month and time for a new GTG newsletter!  

This month's features:

• Eco-eResources, Part Deux (A follow up to January's eResources)

• Ratings:  US & Green Transport (green geography based on how states use their transportational $$)

• Love Books?  Then Think I.N.K. (Nonfiction book finds and teaching resources)

• Hug It Forward (Learn more about "Bottle Schools")

• Love Your Lights:  By Turning Them Out (A graphing activity to get ready for next month's "Earth Hour")

To get your GTG newsletter, click the title above or go to http://www.eaglecoveschool.org/library/resources/GreenTeamGazettes/GTG2010-2011/GreenTeamGazette3.6February2011.pdf 

MD Children in Nature

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources site has "beaucoup" resources indeed, focusing on getting kids outdoors. From the website:

"We created the Partnership for Children in Nature to make sure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to learn about their environment, connect with the natural world, and grow to become responsible stewards." ~ Governor Martin O'Malley

On their "Children In Nature" page, you've got links galore....

Start with Maryland "Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights" (featured from their site here above).

Choose where to go next through their pictoral links or tabs.  Get information on green schools, crafts, community resources, "making a difference," "cool places" to go, and Maryland Park Events (such as the Maryland ParkQuest).  There are resources featured specifically for parents, educators, and children (including February 18--21st's Great Backyard Bird Count or learn what "Green Hour" is).  They also have tons of kid-friendly info sheets about animals & the outdoors, activities to get kids moving and grooving, and upcoming workshops for adults and children alike.  

Do you have to be a Marylander to appreciate this site--not at all!! Yes, obviously some of the events are local, but given the wealth of resources on site, it's a definite great find!  Make a rendezvous to go to http://www.dnr.state.md.us/cin/.   While you're there, check out the 2 videos...especially the "Polar Bear Sky" one at the bottom of the "Children in Nature's" page to see Maryland Green School students make imagery come alive!!

Science for Citizens: "Snow Tweets"

You know the tune...sing along:

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It snow, Let it snow, Let it snow.

It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I've bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It snow, Let it snow, Let it snow.
 

When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I'll hate going out in the storm. .....

It's about this time in my class, when the verse about kissing comes up, that 3rd graders start oohing and ahhing--and not because they think I'm a lyrical genius!. 8 and 9 year olds get grossed out at the thought of that lovey dovey stuff.

But it's here that "Science for Citizens" comes a-calling.  This project-based website (http://scienceforcitizens.net/changing-planet) has many projects, one of which is where they are on the look out for "snow tweets."  What is a "snow tweet," you may ask?  Well, it's where you (whoever you might be) can indicate, via twitter,  how much snow is in your arena.  

The researchers at "Science for Citizens" are on the quest for measurements indicating the snowy ground cover in order to mark their map.  You are the researchers in the field (and the informant), and they are the data collectors.  Anyone who has a ruler, a computer, a twitter account, and an interest in getting involved. can "tweet" this info to Science for Citizens and be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Map DataImagery ©2011 NASA - Terms of Use

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Imagery ©2011 NASA

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Terrain

According to the website (click the link or title above), just:

"Sign in to your Twitter account (or sign up, it's free!) and write a message that looks like this: #snowtweets 2.5 cm at N2L 3G1"

All you need to do is swap out the snow depth measurement with your own locale, and the depth measurement of your local snow.  This is a great classroom activity in any of the snowier regions to take part in something "real."  In fact, how much more real-life scientific data/impact can you get?  

Additionally, you can search the site by topic under "Citizen Science Projects" or look to the dozens of projects for something that speaks to you....such as from observing hummingbirds, visiting parts of the Appalachian Mountains, record ice on waterways, and more!

Ultimately, it becomes a relatively easy way (for you or your students) to be a scientist in the field, taking part in a project larger than yourself! 


Snowflake image from http://questgarden.com/47/13/9/070516135658/process.htm where there's actually a great lesson on "Snowflake Similes" and "Snowflake Bentley."  What a perfect tie in!!

Map image from http://scienceforcitizens.net/changing-planet to show the current snow tweets.