Our Auditor General Wendy Abbot reports that certification audit visits are producing a lot of pleasant surprises. In a year when business-as-usual wasn't possible, many EcoTeams dug deep and found new ways to continue their practices even with most teachers withdrawing from out-of-classroom mentoring. Students, parents, principals, vice-principals, office staff, and some caretakers stepped up in a big way to fill the gap, Wendy says. We are learning that in many places EcoSchools really is rooted in school culture.   

 

Very importantly, EcoSchools "came to school" in a new way through the work of committed teachers. In classrooms, ecoliteracy continued to be embedded in curriculum and even seemed to gain a new impetus where teachers felt unable to participate in other areas. Classes took turns doing work previously managed by a formal team.     

 

Platinum auditors Lisa Fisk and Deb Moffett chose the words "infectious" and "enthusiasm" when asked to report on how some schools had managed to overcome the barriers of this particular year. Deb says, "I like the word infectious, because it describes the enthusiasm that pops up in unexpected places and the willingness to try something different." In Lisa's words, "infectious says that some teams were so enthusiastic that their commitment continued to draw others into the program despite what may have been a challenging year."  

Not all can reach so high. As we have said all along, every school faces different circumstances, different challenges. Numbers are down; many schools have taken the year out to re-group. We look forward to re-connecting with all schools during the fall kick-off pd sessions, with renewed energy and some new ideas for helping you to build on this year's experience and make the program even better. 

 

Looking for a good film or two to watch this summer? We've put together a list that will certainly get you started. These films are all so fantastic that you may end up watching more than just one. Short on time? Be sure to see the You Tube teasers; they're just a few minutes each--all thought-provoking, moving, inspiring, and of course, educational. Watch them and let us know if they prompt any classroom ideas! Click here for a full listing. 

   

Films and documentaries  

 

Smarty Plants: Uncovering the Secret World of Plant Behaviour, The Nature of Things 45 min: 11 sec.

  

Planet Earth, BBC (11 films) 

  

Home 1 hr: 33 min

  

You Tube teasers and lesson starters

 

Mother Tree 4 min: 40 sec

  

Breathe In Breathe Out, Greenpeace 1 min: 20 sec

  

Give Earth A Hand, Greenpeace 1 min: 30 sec

  

We Are All Connected, WWF 1 min

 

 

 

Teachers tell us that summer is the only time that they can really pause and reflect, and perhaps integrate a new idea or two into their teaching practice. Here are two to consider:

 

Daniel Goleman, Lisa Bennett, and Zenobia Barlow, Ecoliterate: How Educators Are Cultivating Emotional, Social, and Ecological Intelligence

 

Read the publisher's blurb, and then try to resist this book!

"Hopeful, eloquent, and bold, [this book] offers inspiring stories, practical guidance, and an exciting new model of education that builds--in vitally important ways--on the success of social and emotional learning by addressing today's most important ecological issues. [It] reveals how educators can advance academic achievement; protect the natural world on which we depend; and foster strength, hope, and resiliency."

 

Available in the Professional Library (search the catalogue by title) or on Amazon.ca as an ebook.

  

Click here for a 2-minute promo from Daniel Goleman himself.

 

One more that we've featured before:

Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, OISE, Natural Curiosity,  Natural Curiosity: Building Children's Understanding

of Nature through Environmental Inquiry

 

Book available as a downloadable pdf online.

 

Teacher-librarians play a large and important role in our schools. Many are engaged in using books and videos to foster a love of nature; investigate problems in nature and the environment; learn about people helping nature; and link the environment and social justice. Two have responded generously to a late request for a few of their "top-of-mind" favourites to share with our readers.  

 

Jill Kelsall at John G Althouse MS starts with "picture books I love to think about life with". She stars the ones that are "books [she] wouldn't want to teach without!"  

 

*I Am I (Mary Louise Fitzpatrick)

*The Rabbits (John Marsden and Shaun Tan)

Earthdance (Joanne Ryder)

Paddle To The Sea (Clancy Holling)

All The Colours of the Earth (Sheila Hamanaka)

Magical Earth Secrets (Della Burford)

Looking Down (Steve Jenkins)

*Old Turtle and the Broken Truth (Douglas Wood)

*Varmints (Helen Ward)

*The Sneetches and The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)

Dear Children of the Earth A Letter from Home (Schim Schimmel)

The Blue Stone (Jimmy Liao)

*Only a Pigeon (Jane Kurtz)

*The Falling Raindrop (Neil Johnson)

 

Jill adds, "Off the top of my head--novels that inspire a love of nature":    

My Side of the Mountain (Jean Craighead George) 

Rascal (Sterling North) 

Hatchet (Gary Paulsen) 

Old Yeller (Fred Gipson)  

Marley and Me (John Grogan)  

The Carbon Diaries 2015 (Saci Lloyd)   

  

Lisa Teodosio at Thomas G. Wells writes "I can think of many must-reads on the topic of science and/or ecolit (the hazards of being a teacher librarian!)" but limits herself, saying "you asked for two...I could go on; I get rather excited about ecolit and books."

Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming (Jean Davis Okimoto) 

The Little Hummingbird (Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas) 

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story From Africa (Jeanette Winter) 

A Child's Garden: A Story of Hope (Michael Foreman) 

  

Lisa adds, "I have tons on social justice that I weave into ecolit": 

Listen to the Wind (Greg Murtenson) 

Mr. Maxwell's Mouse (Frank and Devin Asch) 

Mrs. Marlowe's Mice (Frank and Devin Asch) 

 

John English students connect gardening and mental health; teachers sing the benefits of learning outdoors

Having learned about the mint and sage plants growing in their courtyard garden, students in John English's Eco Club researched what else they might add to one of the full sun beds. Lavender was a clear winner--it's hardy, attracts butterflies, and produces a sweet and calming scent. The Eco Club joined with the Equity Club to create a lavender garden to provide a place for mental health exercises such as yoga and meditation. Equity Club students are using the garden during lunch for yoga sessions.

Teacher Helga Trudeau makes a compelling case for the benefits of learning in the garden, starting with life science observations and going beyond to make wider connections in, about, and for the environment.  Grade 7 John English Eco Club planting team

"I use the outdoor gardens to teach the Life System strand of the science curriculum. There is nothing like an authentic hands-on experience to learn about the needs of creatures and plants. The students get to see the garden habitat and learn about how the plants and creatures need each other to survive.   The garden is also a good way to teach students about the importance of preserving our green spaces. It gets the students active in recycling and composting. We also discuss green energy and how it helps preserve our environment.   The outdoor garden also makes a great place for learning. The students love having their lessons taught outdoors. The air is fresh, the sound of the birds and the wind is soothing, and the scenery is calming. I also know that, for some students who do not have a backyard, this is an experience they only get at school." Thanks to teacher Caroline West for this story and many wonderful pictures showing us the students' pride and delight in their work.

 

Learning Community:

School Food Garden Ecosystems Workshop

 

Spend a summer day with one of Toronto's veteran garden educators to explore activities that incorporate school food gardening into classroom learning! Sunday Harrison and Green Thumbs Growing Kids have been supporting school gardens since 2001. 

 

Early bird special; $30 before July 1; then $50. Includes lunch and resources.
When: Friday July 19, 2013, 10am-3 pm
Who: Teachers, caretakers, educational assistants, educators
Where: Winchester Public School in downtown Toronto

Register: email sunday@kidsgrowing.ca , or call 416-876-1480.

For more information: click here or visit www.kidsgrowing.ca 

 

 

Summer Institute: Using Inquiry Learning to Build Community

 

LSF (Learning for a Sustainable Future) and Natural Curiosity host this 3-day inquiry-based learning opportunity through teaching outdoors and using knowledge-building circles that can transform learning and build citizenship skills.

 

Who: K-Grade 6 (ECEs too!)

When: July 23rd-25th

Where: 45 Walmer Rd., Toronto (The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School)

Time: 9:00-4:00

Cost: $150.00 (includes breakfast, lunch, and refreshments)

 

Register by July 8th, 2013 at inquiry.eventbrite.com.    

For more information: Click here  

 

 

FoodShare Academy - 2013 Field-to-Table Learning Series

  

Get your students excited about eating and growing fruits and veggies while teaching them about the connections between the food we eat and the environment we live in.

 

1.  Good Food Education
Cost:  $200
When: July 11 and 12, 10am-3pm,

Location: FoodShare, 90 Croatia St.    

2.  School Grown Innovations
Cost: $200
When: August 8 and 9, 10am-3pm
Location: TBD

To register: Contact Brooke Ziebell at brooke@foodshare.net  

...thanks in part to the emerald ash borer! 

 

The board has a forest?!!

 

Well, not a forest in the usual sense. But across the city we have 36,000 trees on our school grounds, which does make up an important part of the city's urban forest.   

 

The need for a set of principles to guide the management of the TDSB's entire "forest" of trees became evident last summer as staff began responding to the emerald ash borer infestation. At least 5000 of our schools' 6500 ash trees will die as result of attacks by this Asian beetle. There is no known cure; all that can be done at present is to inject the trees with a bio-pesticide every two years. Last year 139 trees were injected as part of a pilot program; this summer we are aiming to inject about 1500 still-healthy ash trees.   

 

In keeping with the Board's Environment Policy (p. 43) we need to take the longer view. In a climate-changed and climate-changing world, we need to go beyond the immediate impact of this single invasive species.  

 

The new Urban Forest Management Plan consists of 9 guiding principles and 8 "quick-starts." Quick-starts include the re-assignment of 4 general maintenance workers to a dedicated urban forest maintenance team, a doubling of number of trees planted to 400 a year, and the support of a PhD study of the TDSB urban forest. One of the most startling pieces appears in Appendix A: Projected Future Weather Changes Compared to Recent Weather taken from a recent City of Toronto report that forecasts changes over the next 40 years.     

 

The new plan aims to set the Board on the path to creating the healthy and diverse urban forest that we want for all of our students now and for generations to come. 

 

...also thanks in part to the emerald ash borer!   With 5000 ash trees expected to die, the Board will be doubling the large tree program. The City will donate 400 trees a year; the Board will re-direct resources (as outlined in the Urban Forest Management Plan) to plant, protect, and maintain them.   What's the process for getting trees? This fall, schools will be considered for large trees to be planted in fall 2014 if they have received an on-site design consultation. Watch for a new application process that will be in place by this September!

 

...thanks to Bruce Day and U of T Forestry students

 

Chances are that your school has its own tree map!

 

Bruce Day knew years ago that we needed to know what trees were planted on our grounds. He linked up with the U of T Forestry department staff who saw that summer inventorying was a great learning opportunity for its graduate students. 405 of our schools now have maps of the trees on their grounds.

Tags identify tree species at David Lewis PS

For the past 9 years, 2 or more U of T Forestry students have spent the summer creating inventories. One of the great benefits of this work has been our ability to locate our ash trees and find those that have not yet been attacked by emerald ash borers.

  

A teaching and learning opportunity...

What might spark students' and colleagues' interest in your school's tree map? Our School Ground Greening Design Consultant Gail Bornstein throws out a series of questions to challenge our knowledge of trees and of the school's natural history.

What does a tree need to grow?

What happens to a tree as it grows?

What keeps a tree from falling over?

What do you see on the ground around the tree? Can you see differences in the ground surface?

How old are the different trees at your school?

If there are any really large trees, do you think they were there before the school was built?

How has the community grown around that tree?

What are the benefits of a tree for students, the building, and the school's neighbours?

  

Which schools don't have tree maps yet?

Schools in Wards 4, Ward 1 (except Westmount JS) , and Ward 5 (except Fisherville) have not got tree maps; those areas were quarantined because of the Asian long-horned beetle. Forestry students will complete the inventory of remaining school grounds in other wards, then turn to these three.

 

Thanks to Akash Patel our co-op student who created the program to generate the 405 tree maps!

 

Alberta oil sands clean-up harder than first thought

 

The complexity of removing the tailings (fine waste suspended in water) after the oil has been mined through fracking has left the industry and regulators stymied. All four licensed operators that so far come under the regulation have failed to meet their deadlines for clean-up. This dead-pan explanation for failure to comply caught co-editor Diana's eye: "Some operators, such as Suncor, hoped to dry thin layers of tailings in the sun, but have found the weather unco-operative." She erupted with "That darn weather. How dare it be unpredictable or unco-operative!"  

 

What other perspectives do we need to consider? What sentence or piece of information in this short article might stop you in your tracks? Click here to find out!!

Thank you and farewell...

 

Saying goodbye is never easy. This summer we are saying goodbye to three team members--one veteran EcoSchools staff member, and two of our co-op students who have made such an important contribution to our team this year.  

 

We're all unique--and our Waste Management Specialist Mieke Foster is truly one-of-a-kind. For 23 years she has been pushing, pulling, and prodding the whole system to "clean up its act." You may know Mieke from doing a school waste audit with her. Or you might spot her rummaging through your school's garbage and recycling containers. But she's more than just a "waste specialist" - she's a combination of researcher, anthropologist, and passionate Earth-keeper. Mieke retires at the end of August. She'll leave a big gap and a responsibility to continue her work that falls on all of our shoulders. The best way we can honour Mieke's contribution is to maintain and build on what she has taught and modeled over the years. It will be a big task--we can all do our part. This is the best way to thank Mieke for her years of dedication. Our good wishes, Mieke, for a happy, waste-free retirement.  More people than we can imagine will miss you.

 

We were truly blessed to have Arminda Aliu and Akash Patel join our team this year as EcoSchools interns. They are very much a part of our team. You may have seen Arminda delivering workshops as part of the "EcoSchools Connects" series or even at one of the fall Kickoffs; her energy is contagious and will be greatly missed. Akash's work has been behind the scenes, but no less important. His technical expertise has been invaluable as we worked to improve our websites, develop an improved newsletter layout, and create new tree maps for schools. Thank you Arminda and Akash; we wish you the best of luck as you move forward in your careers!  

 

Best wishes for a great summer everyone! We look forward to renewing our contacts and our work in the fall!

 

The EcoSchools Communication Team
Eleanor Dudar, Jenn Vetter, Diana Suzuki, and Akash Patel