Think Green!

1
Think Green!

• Integrate Science into the Everyday Classroom
• By
• Joyce Dutcher, Ed.D.
• University of Houston-Downtown
• dutcherj_at_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???

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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!   Julies 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

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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.