Green Team Gazette

Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T11:05:00.001-04:00

I saw this picture today on The Green School's Facebook Page, and thought it was just too striking not to share--especially here on Mother's Day. It has a great image of honoring Mother Nature, children, and of course, the mothers that were so vital in creating them (from body to being who they are)! May all of you mother's out there (those that are grands, steps, ones in our memories, and

ECS Earth Week: Eco Kits

2013-05-07T00:42:00.003-04:00

I've said before that Earth Day at Eagle Cove School is an event bigger than just one day. Yes, we are an eco-week in the making! One of the things my class did during our ECS Earth Week was to make outdoor exploration kits for each of the other classrooms. I've written before about "Exploration Backpacks." In my mind, I have been thinking this was a vital addition to recess...and Earth Week

Best. Field trip. Ever.

2013-05-04T22:18:00.001-04:00

Cross curricular is the way to go. Just like a recipe: Combine a synchronized study of Rivers of the World and Bridges. Insert some mapping. Fold in in reading and writing. Add in some environmental studies. Mix in some math and measurement. Then pepper in some paintbrushes, a scenic locale, and some creative water color techniques. With all of this, you have the makings for a great

ECS Earth Week: Days 1 & 2

2013-04-24T22:43:00.000-04:00

I've said it before....a day is not enough for Earth Day at Eagle Cove School. We need a week! 2013 is no different. For a history of our Eagle Cove Earth Day, check the GTG archives for some great moments in our history (and there have been a slew). Earth Week Day 1: Earth Day: Monday Annually like clockwork, "green" author Jennifer Keats Curtis comes to talk about all of her amazing

For Your Earth Day Viewing Pleasure

2013-04-22T20:39:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day! Here are 3 dandies for your Earth Day viewing pleasure. May you learn a little bit along the way, and gain a new appreciation for this planet of ours! More importantly, make every day Earth Day! BrainPop: Join Tim and Moby as they explore "Humans and the Environment. Free to viewers without subscription logins for a time being. Constitution Hall Pass' "The Story of

The Unfortunate Nest

2013-04-21T07:30:00.000-04:00

About a week ago, my family and I were at my daughter's soccer game, rooting for her during one of the first really nice days of spring. My son, of course, was on the move, so I went to track him down every once and awhile. He was hanging out by the baseball diamond, so I touched base with him...at which point, he pointed up to the lights and said, "Hey mom, look at that!" An osprey mom and

Earth Day Ahead: Greening STEM

2013-04-20T12:04:00.001-04:00

We're 2 "sleeps" away from Earth Day, which be Monday, April 22nd. We're also wrapping up EE Week (Environmental Education) week, which typically is the week prior to Earth Day (April 14--20 this year). Below is a great infographic on this year's EE Week theme: Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors. Additionally, here are some interesting facts from their website. 75% of 1,900 surveyed

EcoMania

2013-04-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

As a visual person, I am a Pinterest nut! It is completely my style of bookmarking. There is so much out there...and in this Earth Day Season, I have found so many goodies! A trip to my EcoMania board will have you in Earth Day Heaven! To check out some of my other boards, investigate: * EdTech * IPadLandia * Good Brain Space * Marvy Math Ideas * School

Great Day For an Eco Fair

2013-04-14T22:07:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I went to an Eco Fair at Bodkin Elementary School in my hometown. Kids, parents, teachers, vendors, musicians, and community members all gathered together for a fun day o'green. The goal: to raise environmental awareness at this Maryland Green School since 2007. Here are just a few of the folks who were there: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Anne Arundel County Recycling,

Speaking for the Trees

2013-04-12T12:08:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week I wrote about the children's book "For the Birds," the biography of Roger Tory Peterson. As I mentioned then, we all know that the Lorax speaks for the trees. Well, the Lorax is not alone. One could also argue that John Muir, founder and the first president of the Sierra Club does as well. In fact, a Californian grove of redwoods near San Francisco (the Muir Woods National

Earth Day Is on Its Way Bulletin Boards

2013-04-10T18:34:00.000-04:00

Here are two great sights around Eagle Cove School as we get prepped for Earth Day, a mere 12 days away!! In fact, at ECS, our Earth Day evolves into a whole week! To learn a little bit about our past Earth Weeks, click here. Pictures taken from my camera @ Eagle Cove School.

Who Speaks For the Birds?

2013-04-09T21:04:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Dr. Seuss (and now Universal Pictures due to the 2012 movie), we know that the Lorax speaks for the trees. If the Lorax speaks for the trees, then who is it that speaks for the birds? The answer to that is Roger Tory Peterson. Not sure who that is...odds are high you already know, especially if you ever picked up any sort of pocket sized, Peterson field guide. The very first ever

Move & Groove & Do the "Recycle Robot"

2013-04-08T21:56:00.001-04:00

Teachers know that music and movement make for a stellar combo when trying to inspire students, both with engagement and learning content. Here's a great way to move and groove this Earth Day. Have your youngsters do the "Recycle Robot." Video from http://youtu.be/YHe9U3MLDT8

The Story of Significance & Service

2013-04-07T11:21:00.002-04:00

Today walking out of church, I saw the same sign that I see each week in the vestibule: Each week I'm struck by how it is a spiritual testament beyond church alone, that spreads to both environmentalism and human nature. It speaks the message of Earth Hour, Earth Day, and most religions through its message of peace and prosperity. If each one of us does one thing to work to make our world

To Infinity...I Mean "Earth Day Network"....and Beyond!

2013-04-06T22:30:00.000-04:00

Perhaps at the center of "all things" Earth Day is the Earth Day Network. There, you can do a boatload of things...so please do! --Take part in "A Billion Acts of Green" --Learn a little bit about the "Earth Day Concept" --Follow "The Earth Day Network's Education" thread and learn all about them. --Check out an informational video about how Earth Day 2013's theme is "The Face of

50 Ways To Take A Break

2013-04-05T16:13:00.001-04:00

With it being Friday, and the air actually feeling like spring might truly be near, it's a great time to take a break! Here in this season of Earth Day ahead, here's a poster that's just perfect for inviting a bit of rest and relaxation! Happy Weekend! How many ways will you hit this delightful spring weekend?! Poster from http://www.fullcupthirstyspirit.com/includes/50-

Singing the Earth Day Song

2013-04-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

In this month of Earth Day, here's a fun find that will get your students geared up in song...or inspired to create on of their own to sing along! A Pinterest find, which takes you back to HotChalk Lesson Plan Page--a song written by Sandra Moyer and the third graders of A.W. James Elementary School in Drew, Mississippi. Title – Earth Day Song tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know it…”If you

Earth Day: Report Card Season

2013-04-03T21:32:00.006-04:00

As students, we all knew our school truth came out on Report Card Day. As parents, we all know that the real truth comes out on our youngsters on Report Card Day. As teachers, we all know that it's time to say it like it is--on Report Card Day. Invite your youngsters (either in your classroom or in your household) the chance to turn the tables and let THEM fill out the report cards. Check out

You Know What April Means--Earth Day is On Its Way!

2013-04-02T21:08:00.000-04:00

We've made it past April Fool's Day (which is always a trip in the elementary classroom)! Baby New Year has come and gone. So has Cupid and the Easter Bunny. The first signs of spring are cropping up, meaning spring has officially sprung. That can only mean one thing. Earth Day is on the way. A mere 20 days from now, Monday, April 22nd will be upon us. It will mark the 43 years since

Eco Heroes on Parade Again

2013-03-30T14:38:00.002-04:00

'Tis the season for my 3rd Annual Eco Heroes Parade. My Eagle Cove School 3rd graders researched famous environmentalists using these 3 books from the Earth Heroes' Series. Once again, I have an crop of biographies written by my troops, with a cute collection of environmentalists visiting my room (check out the pictures below). For our past 2 years of parades, check out: --Wall o'Fame:

Earth Hour in Retrospect

2013-03-25T12:38:00.001-04:00

Earth Hour 7.0 has come and gone. With it, more than 7000 cities participated, making it the most so far in its 7-year history. A big jump from its inception in 2007 in just one city: Sydney, Australia. In my world, we had an adult-only Chili & Cornbread Cookoff at Eagle Cove School. Being a Maryland "green" school, we also participated in a condensed version of Lights Out for Earth

Earth Hour is Out of This World

2013-03-23T06:40:00.000-04:00

It's not often you get a message that is literally "out of this world!" However, when it comes from the International Space Station...it is! Here on Saturday, March 23, the day of Earth Hour (which is 8:30--9:30 in your time zone), is a message for those of you who may be still on the fence as to whether to participate. When you take a look at the Earth from a new perspective--from above,

World Water Day 2013 -- Part 3

2013-03-21T19:35:00.003-04:00

So we are less than a week away from World Water Day 2013 (tomorrow, Friday, Mar. 22). If you've been reading along with GTG's Part 1 and Part 2, here's where you probably are: --Concerned with the plight of people in Africa who have to travel great distances to get fresh (often not clean) water; --More aware of the value (& sometimes scarcity) of this precious, wet resource of ours; --

Earth Hour Ahead: Saturday, March 23

2013-03-19T21:54:00.000-04:00

It's one of those weeks where a LOT is going on. Eco-speaking, that is. You've got World Water Day this Friday, March 22nd, and Earth Hour, this Saturday night, March 23, 8:30--9:30. If you've been following along here at GTG, you already know a bit about World Water Day through Part 1, Part 2, and my all time favorite video (a blast from the past). But, unless you've been here for years,

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2013-03-17T11:07:00.000-04:00

The sounds of the bagpipes from church this morning are still wafting through my ears! Happy St. Patty's Day and the wearin' o'the green! I'm sporting my "Green Chic" t-shirt as March 17th is a good time to express both my eco-side and my Irish-lovin' side. Also, in the vein of recycling, I'm going to bring up some of my oldies but goodies and "greenies" from my GTG leprechaun days of yore.