Clearing Magazine - Environmental Education for the "Pacific Northwest"

Do you follow Clearing magazine? Clearing used to come out in a hard copy and came to me as part of my EEPSA membership. Now it's digital, and FREE, although becoming a friend and making a donation is always appreciated :-)

I love the idea of having a resource that offers a regional perspective... check it out!

http://www.clearingmagazine.org/

Share your favourite resources - email me! I'll put them on the blog!

Survey says...

Wow! Thank you so much for the quick, yet thoughtful responses. I see that some of you wanted to change the wording on my questions, and I've been thinking that a format of rate-these-responses would have produced a different type of response, but I'm really happy with what's come in so far.

The results, thus far, have given me a hint about how "teaching green" can grow and evolve in our district. It is clear that teaching sustainable thinking is a bigger influence than any of the other questions that I put to you.

For ProD for the upcoming year, I'm thinking of Metro Vancouver's "Shift Happens" - a great, energizing and fun workshop that will give you lots of new things to think about. I'm also looking into Backyard Biodiversity from Wild BC, although I'm really tempted by Project Wet, also through Wild BC. And I haven't forgotten the surge of interest in touring the Waste Water facilities... 

So... I'm up for setting up something for September... what are your thoughts? Email me!

When September dawns, I'll be asking for a roll call - so many will have changed locations, and I'd like to check in and see how your needs have changed.

Here are the write in responses so far:

The EECOM conference in Victoria, BC

Happy Summer, Everyone, and Happy 4th Anniversary to the Green Teachers Network! I'd love to hear about your projects, questions, concerns and ProD ideas and suggestions. Use my work email - I do check it over the summer.

I'm drafting this from the EECOM conference in Victoria. EECOM is the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication, and this conference marks its 20th anniversary.

Late June is a really challenging time for a classroom teacher to attend a conference, but the conference moves around the country, so I really wanted to attend while it was relatively close.

The presentations have all been short and dynamic, with most sessions allowing 20 minutes per speaker.On the first day, that meant 6 sessions, a keynote panel and a dinner event with a special invitation for Victoria-area teachers to attend. Thus, the need to blog... I just had to sort through all this new information, and mentally clear space for more to come.

Friday (the day I drafted this) is Field Trip Day. After our morning working groups sessions, we're off to explore! I opted for the UVic and area guided tour with Bill Dancer. I loved every minute of it! We checked on the osprey nest on campus, climbed Mt. Tolmie, watching bird and butterflies with every step (including Turkey Vultures), and walked through Mystic Vale, where we spotted some very out-of-place goldfish. A four hour walking tour was a sharp contrast to a full day of sessions, but totally worth it!

Teaching with passion has been an underlying theme to all of my sessions. It's not in any of the titles, but it's clearly stated by this amazing group of educators; teach with passion - teach YOUR passion, and your students will always benefit from your enthusiasm.

You know you're a tourist when you take pictures of the deer instead of complaining about them.

That Busy Time of Year... the one before June

On the calendar:

May 15: the Learning Team celebration is now the Professional Learning Exchange! As always, in the gym at Winslow, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.
With a different format this year, be sure to look for yours truly holding down the fort on behalf of the Green Teachers Network. https://my43.sd43.bc.ca/departments/staffdev/Pages/LearningExchange.aspx

May 22: The Vancouver Aquarium and the Institute for Environmental Learning (and others, I'm sure) are co-hosting a pechakucha-style evening (No, I can't pronounce that. Can you?)  "...for teachers to present their experiences with incorporating environmental learning into their curriculum to other middle and high school teachers." Interested in joining us? I'll be there sharing my Home Ec (mis)adventures.  www.eco-learning.org/network/events. They're going to let us play in the Wet Lab afterwards!

May 25: The Environmental Educator's PSA is holding their AGM at the Fraser River Discovery Centre in New Westminster from 11 - 2. Come and check out the Discovery Centre, enjoy a free lunch and chat with other educators who share an interest in environmental teaching and learning. You don't need to be an EEPSA member to attend, but you do if you want to vote, or run for an Executive position. http://eepsa.org/news/

Late May or early June: Green Drinks to discuss Pro D opportunities and plans for next year, and to add some new faces to the LSA executive. Check your email for details, or just email Laurelei. You know where to find me.

Guilty as charged and pleased to share my procrastinations with you.

April Pro D - Get Outdoors!

Decisions, decisions... there is a Get Outdoors workshop planned for Seaview elementary on April 19th in the morning, and there is a full day of Pro D fun in Stanley Park. Contact Laurelei for the Seaview one or Anita (below) for the Stanley Park event.

Get Outdoors! Strategies to support environmental learning and experience using the outdoor classroom

A workshop for elementary school teachers

You don't need to be an expert naturalist to use the outdoor classroom effectively!  Discover and explore experiential strategies to enrich student learning in any subject area while also connecting them to nature.  Add to your knowledge of fascinating flora and fauna while exploring beautiful Stanley Park. Explore place-based curriculum strategies and meet Clifford Knapp a respected place-based curriculum specialist and invited co-presenter.

Participants will receive:

§  Get Outdoors: An Educator’s Guide to Outdoor Classrooms in Parks, School Grounds and other Special Places a new resource packed full of fun and practical strategies for taking students outdoors. 

§  Urban Stewards: Environmental Action Lesson Plans CD, a teacher resource containing 12 complete science units, background information and engaging hands on activities.

§  Environmental Educator’s Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) Membership, including a one year subscription to Green Teacher Magazine

§  A new Metro Vancouver Satellite Map

§  Links to local partners and resources to enhance outdoor teaching and learning.

Please be prepared to go outside – rain or shine.  Please bring your own lunch. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

When           Friday April 19, 2013 - 9 a.m. – 2:30 pm (registration opens at 8:30 am)

Where          Stanley Park Ecology Society, Vancouver

Stanley Park Dining Pavilion, 610 Pipeline Road, 2^nd floor. Please note the Pavilion is not actually on Pipeline Road, but is between Malkin Bowl and the Stanley Park bus loop (to the east of Pipeline Road). It is easily accessed by the #19 Stanley Park bus.

Cost             $30 Please bring exact cash only.

To register   call 604-257-6907 or email school@stanleyparkecology.ca

The Green Games

It's time to vote for your favourite entries in the GREEN GAMES! Please show your support for the amazing groups of your choice. This link should show you Coquitlam's entries for the year.

Hurry! Voting ends on March 31!

http://www.bcgreengames.ca/home.html