Green School

Green School

A partnership between the Benjamin Banneker Staff, Students and

Community.

Why Should We Become a Green School!

Research supports that environmental, outdoor and conservation education increase student achievement.

We want our community to be aware of all we do.

We have only one Earth.

How Can I Help?

Copy lessons plans, photographs, and give to any Green School PLC

member place in Green School binder

or mailbox (up or down the hill) create a power point slide with

pictures and text and email it to a member of the green school committee or a child’s teacher

A parent may send photos and notes on how a lesson has been implemented in the home and community to their child’s teacher.

Within the existing curriculum, “guide students in discussions of how what they are learning

can lead to action.”

Mrs. Parsons’ 2007-2008 second grade class brainstorm ways to improve the school environment and save the Chesapeake Bay. Our unit “How People Effect the Environment” included a culminating activity where students planned and carried out a schoolyard project. The goal was to stop erosion of dirt and silt runoff leading to the bay by planting grass seed in bald spots within our school grounds.

Celebrate With a Gallery Walk

Allow for students in some way to act on what they know or are passionate about and share with the rest of the school.

This can be through posters,morning announcements, or projects.

The Application

Become familiar with our school’s efforts and the different parts of the application.

http://www.maeoe.org/greenschools The application process is ongoing and can

be completed in sections. Deadline – April 9, 2008

The Application Simplified

What the Kids are Learning In-class instruction Professional Development for Staff

WOW/POW – The Wonder of Wetlands Project Wet, Project Wild & Project Learning Tree

sponsored by the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources & the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education

Rain Garden Workshop Raising Horseshoe Crabs Celebration/Sharing of Knowledge and Activities

What the Kids are Doing?(Need 5 out of 7 Areas)

Habitat Restoration Structures for Environmental Learning

Aesop’s Garden Outdoor Classroom George Briscoe Memorial Outdoor Classroom

Energy Conservation Solid Waste Reduction Water Conservation and Pollution Prevention Healthy School Environment Responsible Transportation

Who Is Involved outside the School?

(Need 1 out of 2 areas) School Active in the Community Elms Environmental Center

Community Active in the School Boy and Girl Scouts

What Else Can We Do?

Use non-science paths to help the students make the connection between their actions and the environment. (Aesop’s Garden, Literature, Math)

Tap into the talents, interests and knowledge of parents and community members. Include an invitation to our parents to plan and

carry out a project.

Next Steps

Go through your photographs from last year and write a short explanation of the lesson/activity. If possible give a VSC connection.

Take photographs of lessons this year that include an environmental or conservation component.

Submit a copy of a lesson plan. Place all materials in the Green School Mailbox. Create a power point slide for photographs and text

explanation. Generate student explanations and reflections for

projects.

Help Needed

Keep recycling cans and paper. Conserve energy – turn off lights and monitors. Create a classroom job of Energy Manager. Think Green!

If you’d like to join our PLC or help with the creation of our portfolio, please see a Green School PLC member.

(Thanks to Calvert County, CHEXPAX Green School Site for the use of their information.)