New Vocabulary!
| The snow world, or nivean environment, is divided into three regions: supranivean (above the snow), intranivean (within the snowpack), and subnivean (beneath the snow).
"We see snow as a transformative element, brilliantly whitening our vision. But beneath its still surface, these tiniest of life-forms ebb and surge, ravaging secret winter feasts. Their tiny subnivean lives and deaths alter the composition of our atmosphere--and may affect the entire planet's health." - Packed to the Hilt |
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Earth Hour 2012 official video |  |
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New this year! An all-in-one classroom Energy Monitoring chart that gives students a system for checking and recording classroom energy conservation practices throughout the year. To order copies please email diana.suzuki@tdsb.on.ca.
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Have you seen our EcoSchools blog? | |
It's dedicated to exploring ecological literacy, both in favourite short articles and in classroom practice, and we're just getting started. Check it out at esecolit.wordpress.com. We are still swooning over the talk by Dayna Baumeister on nature's design and her belief in the human potential to learn from nature. Watch it (she's on stage at the 4:33 point)-and pass it on to friends. It's contagious!!
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Natural Resources Canada Energy and the Environment Art Contest 2011-12 Grades 1-8 |  |
Deadline: March 1, 2012
Click here for details.
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Green Teacher webinar series
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One hour sessions, lead by innovative and experienced educators. Each session features a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes to ask questions of the presenter. For a list of upcoming events and to register click here.
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Astonishing ecosystem interconnections | |
" Research suggests that chemical signals in growing grasses trigger reproductive activity in voles, so that they start bearing offspring beneath the snow's protective layer." Packed to the Hilt ( How can you not read this article?)
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What about snow?
Winter is here. Before the holidays, Instructional Leader Pam Miller created two lessons for this issue to focus attention on how life adapts to a cold climate--education IN the environment that is also about the environment. The lesson about how snow supports small animal life, "One potato, two potato, hot potato, cold" is a lot of fun.
We all expected we'd have snow by the time this newsletter reached you. What difference does it make if we don't have snow? Or if we have a very late snowfall? Only in the past twenty years have scientists been seriously studying the subnivean world of microbial biochemistry, and what they've learned is nothing short of amazing. Scientist Paul Brooks reports that "up to half the carbon that plants take up in summer is released back into the atmosphere by microbes in winter"--a fact unknown until a few years ago. In "Packed to the Hilt," science writer Paul Huff reports on this new area of study: "the role of microbial life beneath the snow...may have serious ramifications for how we measure and gauge the effects of global warming." This article requires real attention and a little time, but is oh-so-worth it. Read it just to marvel at nature's sublime interconnectedness. Mapping those connections under the snow would be an exercise in revealing the marvel of "how nature works." Thanks to Jenn Vetter for finding this gem. Snow, it turns out, goes beyond snow sculptures and skiing. It's another entry point for developing our ecoliteracy. E.D.
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Ecological literacy: Winter quick-starts
EcoSchools Section 4: Questions 4.1, 4.3, 4.4
A big ecological idea for learning in and about winter: Study the interrelationship of life and the cold environment.
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Artwork by: Marco Cibola
Audubon, January-February 2008
| School grounds and neighbourhoods are engaging places for lessons that can integrate literacy, numeracy, arts, science, and geography learning expectations. But all too often we discount our "outdoor classrooms" during the winter months. When snow, frost, and ice transform your community, try one or both of these activities to consider winter's impacts, and how humans are changing that impact.
Click to read about potatoes in the snow (animal adaptations in winter) and how to organize an anti-idling campaign--two neat grade-spanning activities to bring life in a cold environment into your lesson-planning! Several schools are conducting anti-idling campaigns, each suited to the school's particular needs and creativity--from monitoring the drop-off area every morning (George Peck) to making a new banner (Donwood Park) and distributing hot chocolate to drivers as an incentive/reward for turning off their engines (Bethune CI), and of course so many more we haven't heard about. Send us your best tips for stopping idling on the school grounds! |
Launch of the new grade 6 electricity kit!
EcoSchools Section 4: Questions 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
A box of stuff that generates hope, innovation, creativity and last but not least--electricity. Welcome to the new Grade 6 Electricity Kit. In the simplest of terms, we've taken out some batteries, and included some solar panels in their place. In this upgraded Science and Technology kit, you will find a new guide entitled Our Solar Future (don't be shy, click the hyperlink).
The guide contains three options for rich performance tasks that put students in the role of solar architect, solar educator, or solar entrepreneur. In one or more of these contexts, your students will construct simple electric circuits, using a variety of components such as solar panels, a hand generator, D-cells, switches, light bulbs, buzzers and small toy motors. If you really want to re-spark your curriculum with energy, start here.
Teachers can order the kit from Medianet.
All Office Administrators have been sent forms for those without Medianet accounts. You can also email scitechloankits@tdsb.on.ca or call the Science and Technology Loan Centres at:
TIPPETT CENTRE 416-395-4475 (schools in NE, NW & SE) DANFORTH CENTRE 416-393-9145 (schools in SW)
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Teaching about energy conservation: 20/20 The Way to Clean Air
EcoSchools Section 2: Questions 2.1.2-2.1.4; Section 4: Questions 4.3, 4.5, 4.6; Section 5: Question 5.4
Developed by Toronto Public Health, 20/20 The Way to Clean Air campaign offers teachers a way to help students apply their learning about energy conservation in school and at home. Written at a Grade 5 reading level, the 20/20 Planner is available to teachers and students of all grades.
To register your classroom call 416-338-8070 or send an email to 20/20@toronto.ca. You will receive a 20/20 Planner for each student, a copy of the 20/20 TDSB Teacher's Guide, a colourful poster and stickers.
Preview the other resources available (including 13 lesson plans) by clicking here.
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Earth Hour 2012--Why not start now?
EcoSchools Section 1: Questions 1.5, 1.6; Section 4: Questions 4.3, 4.5; Section 5: Questions 5.4, 5.7
Earth Hour is the world's largest voluntary action for the environment.
 But why wait until March 31st (the TDSB's Earth Hour event will take place on Friday March 30th from 2-3pm) to get involved? Start now by implementing a monthly, weekly or even daily Earth Hour event at your own school!
Earth Hour at Norman Ingram happens every Monday!
Norman Ingram PS began having monthly Earth Hours four years ago, right after the first global Earth Hour event. It was the eco club, wanting to reduce the school's electricity use, that fastened upon the idea of a monthly Earth Hour. By year two, this conservation-minded group thought, "if we can do it every month why can't we do it every week?" Thus began the weekly Norman Ingram Earth Hour that occurs every Monday during the last hour of the day, with a reminder in the morning announcements.This practice has changed attitudes among staff and students alike. Read more
Special thanks to teacher Kim Lussier who sent us this report with 24 hours' notice on her second last day before she begins her mat leave! Now that's heroic! Stay tuned--later this month resources will be available to download.
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The clock is ticking!
 EcoSchools Section 1, Questions 1.1 and 1.2
Do you hear that tick/tock...tick/tock? That is the sound of your EcoSchools application calling you to fill it in before the deadline of April 27, 2012. Start now. Get it done early so you can enjoy the sound of birds chirping in the spring. What is that other noise? Why it's the "Early Bird Audit" option calling you! Don't know what to do? Follow the link by clicking here.
Questions? Contact Wendy Abbot at wendy.abbot@tdsb.on.ca.
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Resources for Rethinking: Step Outside
EcSchools Section 4: Questions 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
Step Outside is a compilation of seasonal happenings that you can use to bring nature into your classroom. The guides, written in Ontario's Kawartha region, describe flora, fauna, and climate events, some of which may also be happening on or near your school grounds, probably at a slightly different time because we are further south and in a big city.
Clearly, they have snow there that Toronto doesn't have yet, but click here to take a look anyway!
Feel confident about taking your students outdoors! To review some Tips for A Positive Outdoor Learning Experience and Key Safety Tips, go to the Learning for a Sustainable Future blog for a September 2011 post (scroll half-way down ) by educator Teri Burgess.
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Ontario's Biodiversity Report just released!
EcoSchools Section 4: Questions 4.3, 4.5, 4.6
Ontario's Environmental Commissioner Gordon Miller has just presented the Biodiversity report to the Ontario Legislature. Beautifully illustrated, and and written in concise plain language,
it is addressed to all Ontarians. Of special interest to educators is the recommendation to the Ministry of Education: "The government has provided funding for increasing renewable energy generation, energy efficiency and the use of innovative technologies in Ontario's schools. The ministry could build on this work by developing policies that encourage schools to enhance habitat for biodiversity and reduce environmental impacts, such as through green roofs and other building-integrated vegetation" (page 15).
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Concept map: How EcoSchools supports other major program initiatives!
Our thanks to Ontario EcoSchools for allowing us to adapt and publish its concept map showing connections to other important Ministry initiatives: Character Development, Safe Schools, Healthy Schools, Student Success, Growing Success, and more.
Share this concept map with principals, teachers, and parents to communicate the opportunities the EcoSchools program offers to consolidate and strengthen other areas of focus.
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From the editors' desk...
Winter (even one as mild as ours so far) is a time when Canadians become energy-conscious. Schools are no exception. The cold helps everyone to concentrate on conserving energy in all its forms--whether you're a mouse under the snow, a parent waiting in a car to pick up a child, or a teacher and students mounting an early Earth Hour campaign. We hope that one or more of the articles and links in this issue will be a spur to action at your school. If you have had great success with long-term Earth Hour campaigns why not let us know? We'll find a way to share your ideas!
The EcoSchools Communication Team Eleanor Dudar, Jenn Vetter and Diana Suzuki
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