Wesley Mathews Elementary Environmental collectionMixed media The fifth grade students at Wesley Mathews Elementary worked in small groups to create nine unique books centered on environmental problems ranging from energy to pollution. The books vary greatly in binding, materials, and size and range from representational shapes to smaller bound formats.

Better Future for Energy, 2009Mixed media

Have you thought about how important energy is to our modern world?

This book raises awareness about the way today’s energy crisis may inspire more sustainable or “green” solutions in the future. The book takes on the form of a mechanical flower that echoes the shape of a wind-harvesting machine like a windmill or turbine. Each blade displays statements about different environmental problems, as well as potential solutions and sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and water.

Wesley Matthews ElementaryFifth gradeArt teacher: Heather Blackmon-TannerClassroom teacher: Esther HoffmanPrincipal: John LengominArtists and authors: Andrea Guerrero, Vanessa Ortega, Manuel Rojas-Romero, Julius Cuevas, and Katrina Vasquez

Solution to the Pollution, 2009Mixed media How do you define pollution? Housed in a cover fashioned in the shape of a factory belching smoky air, this book presents various types of pollution and the actions we can take to stop poisoning our planet. Each page reveals a potential contaminant—cigarette and cigar smoke, exhaust from cars, insecticides, and fertilizer run-off—that negatively impact our environment. In the end, the three “R’s”—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—offer easy-to-remember solutions. Wesley Matthews ElementaryFifth gradeArt teacher: Heather Blackmon-TannerClassroom teacher: Esther HoffmanPrincipal: John LengominArtists and authors: Brian Yanez, Nelson Salerno, Gretter Rey, and Claudia Garcia

Trees and Leaves, 2009 Grecia Santos Pesticides on the Loose, 2009Tery Vasquez Marine Mammals vs. Sonar, 2009Danilo Marin Bees, 2009 Karen Rufin War Against Nature, 2009Sabrina Rosell Mixed Media Can you think of an environmental problem that impacts you personally? Each of these individually-made books addresses an environmental issue that is impacting either nature or animals—and us! They include the loss of tree canopy, the disappearance of bees, the effects of sonar pollution on marine life, the impact of harmful pesticides, and the effects of war on wildlife. Combining hand-made paper and collage, they raise awareness of the importance of sustaining balance in the bionetwork so that our ecosystem can function properly by asking questions, providing information, and offering suggestions.

Wesley Matthews ElementaryFifth grade Art teacher: Heather Blackmon-TannerClassroom teacher: Esther HoffmanPrincipal: John Lengomin

Rising Seas, 2009Mixed media Did you ever wonder how global warming and rising sea levels are related? It’s a domino effect! Our world climate is getting warmer and its impact is being felt on land and in the sea. The Greenhouse Effect causes a change in our weather, which in turn melts the polar ice caps and leads to more forest fires, hurricanes, heat waves, and floods. Together they are creating dire circumstances for wildlife all around the globe. These books combine collage and informative graphs to provide evidence of how global warming is negatively affecting the natural world. Students also present some creative solutions for this alarming problem. Wesley Matthews ElementaryFifth gradeArt teacher: Heather Blackmon-TannerClassroom teacher: Esther HoffmanPrincipal: John LengominArtists and authors: Ashley Ruiz, Lily Delgado, Anthony Fontan, Lorena Rivadeneira, and Christina Texidor

Icy Problems, 2009Mixed media Can you believe the polar caps need to be colder? This book addresses the heartbreaking effect global warming has on arctic wildlife—from the death of polar bears to the destruction of their natural habitat. Students featured information about arctic creatures such as the ermine, fox, penguin, lynx, musk ox, caribou, whale, and sea lion to create awareness of the richness and fragility of this ecosystem. Wesley Matthews ElementaryFifth gradeArt teacher: Heather Blackmon-TannerClassroom teacher: Esther HoffmanPrincipal: John LengominArtists and authors: Allison Martinez, Jailene Munoz, Gabriel Caceres, Henry Sanabria, Samantha Dominguez, and Ryan Rodriguez