Environmental Literacy

I’m back and here to discuss another key literacy we focused on in EDUC 4P28 this semester! Today I will blog about Environmental Literacy J Environmental literacy helps students become more educated on environmental issues in order to prepare them for the future and make informed environmental decisions (Cutter-Mackenzie & Edwards, 2014). In order for educators to fully

connect student's with environmental literacy in their classroom, they need to incorporate the four different types of environment. These include: social, natural, built, and organizational (Environmental literacy, personal communications). I feel as though environmental literacy is so important in our current education system because the environment is becoming increasingly at risk from climate change, pollution, and deforestation. If students are educated on this importance and how to minimize these concerns, maybe we will start to see a change!

Theory in Practice: My Idea of Incorporating Environmental Literacy in the Classroom

In order for teachers to simply incorporate environmental literacy into their practice, I feel as though they need to connect students with the natural world. This in turn, will enrich other subject areas as well! YAY, this would mean you have a cross-curricular teaching approach! So, with this being said, environmental literacy would be most beneficial with an outdoor classroom environment. Students could practice skills such as math by collecting firewood, or tree branches. In addition, students could create signs to mark trails through a forest, which touches upon subject areas such as geography, literacy and art. I also feel as though students are learning simple concepts such as texture (when touching a rock for example) through an outdoor classroom environment.

Environmental literacy should not only be incorporated in earlier years, but rather we should continue to incorporate it into the junior and senior years as well! For older students, teachers can have the students sit outside and learn photosynthesis or bring them on a class field trip to learn about food chains. This is always much more engaging then sitting inside the classroom and opening a textbook to learn about these environmental concepts. 

What does an Environmentally Literate Classroom Look Like in my Eyes?

• Classroom Library:  including stories that focus on the environment, animals, climate, water, etc.
• Content Posters: content posters that provide a reference to key concepts and vocabulary related to literacy.
• Word Wall: including words such as climate change, pollution, natural environment, man made in order for student's to include these key words in writing, speaking, etc. 
• Proper recycling bins, waste bins, garbage cans, etc. 

A Perfect Example of Environmental Literacy: Outdoor and Environmental Education @ Montgomery County Public Schools

This school board shows the perfect example in regards to how simple it is to incorporate environmental literacy into the student's learning. They provide outdoor learning experiences to increase students' knowledge and awareness. Furthermore, they show the importance of nurturing and and appreciating the natural world around us. This program provides hands on experiences with soil, water sheds, teaches them how to read trail maps, and develops skills such as teamwork and problem solving. To read more about this program, visit http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/outdoored/ 

~Environmental literacy is most effective when you connect the students with real world examples~

References

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Edwards, S. (2014). Everyday environmental education experiences: the role of content in early childhood education. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 30 (1), 127-133.