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Going Green In The ClassoomStructuring School Around Reducing The Carbon Footprint
Protecting the environment is a cross generational pursuit. Let the classroom policy teach by example with these easy to implement techniques.
Back to school means a fresh slate and a chance for classroom habits to go green. This school year structure the classroom culture around those other three R's: reduce, reuse, and recycle. PaperThe simplest way to reduce waste is through classroom paper usage. Instead of using only one side of the sheet require students to use both sides. Instead of skipping every other line for the sack of neatness during rough draft essay writing, have students use wide rule paper. This effort need not only apply to loose leaf paper but spiral and composition notebooks as well. If the notebook is used for daily journals have students draw a line under the day's entry and begin the next day’s entry underneath it. This means less space wasted and less need for a notebook to be purchased every marking period. Utilize the technology savvy 21st century student's abilities and have homework, permission slips, and essays emailed to you. Use an email account created just for communication between, you, your students and parents. Have a recycling box for scrap paper and encourage students to use it for pop quizzes. Think green and restrict students from using computer paper to print non-essentials like song lyrics or photos of celebrities. ElectricityA great way to go green and reduce the energy usage of the classroom is to shut out the lights and take the lesson outside. During the more temperate months this is a great way to loosen up both you and your students. Don't use the air conditioning and heater when unnecessary. If students have to bring a light jacket to school during spring and summer then you might be using the cooling system excessively. Always turn out the lights when the class heads to lunch or activities outside of the classroom. Be sure to turn off computers at the end the school day unless you are connected to a network that might be updated when the school day is done. Howstuffworks.com breaks down the issue, they report," A typical PC consumes something like 300 watts. Let's assume that you use your PC for four hours every day, so the other 20 hours it is on would be wasted energy. " Learn MoreTry to teach the basics of energy conservation and waste management by example. Learn more through these excellent websites for teachers and students. The Ultimate Green Classroom - Students at Beachwood High School are designing an eco-friendly classroom. 50 Ways to Go Green in the Classroom - For the ultimate eco-warriors, teachingtips.com offers suggestions ranging from a compost heap to writing with recycled pencils.
The copyright of the article Going Green In The Classoom in Green/Simple Living is owned by Adrienne Wilson. Permission to republish Going Green In The Classoom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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