1.1 Curriculum and Instruction:
environmental issue instruction
Folger excels at hands-on and real-world instruction on environmental issues at all grade levels! A key to the success of student engagement is the fact that environmental literacy is not seen merely as a series of science lessons in each grade. Instead, the promotion of green school ideals is made cross-curricularly. Environmental learning is accomplished through writing, novels and non-fiction reading, labs, art, PE, media, social studies, research, speeches and presentations. These lessons are conducted inside and out, employing lectures, textbooks, and technology. There is not just one way to teach a lesson, instead, environmental literacy is a theme throughout every grade all year long!
1.2 professional development
Not only is the entire staff at Folger aware of the Green School program and the need to re-certify, the entire team fully embraces and actively participates! Green School has been an integral part of the School Improvement Plan and Team (SIP/SIT) since 2004 and thus, the goals are re-prioritized, stated and implemented annually. The Green School sub-committee of SIT is always comprised of representation from every grade level and department to strengthen full school awareness, keep the ideals front and center, and provide for collaborative lesson planning. It’s rewarding to frequently hear and witness the commitment to growing the green school program from staff as they plan and showcase lessons.
1.2.1 Full Staff awareness |
All staff participated in a session that brought them up to date on the Green School certification status. The PowerPoint was presented by the Green School Committee. The training session culminated with a team building activity aimed at furthering the application. The sign in sheet validates participation by all staff. This is one meeting of several each year at which Green School presents to the entire staff with the aim of promoting Green School ideals, encouraging staff to weave them in lessons and activities to solidify "green" as an integral aspect of the Folger school culture.
green_school_staff_pd_.ppt | |
File Size: | 7791 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
A sampling of staff input when teachers were given paper (from the recycling bin, of course!) and inspired to jot down ways in which they have been green in their classrooms.
Green school committee minutes
Staff members, as well as the volunteer and community liaison, meet monthly to discuss green school initiatives. During this time teachers share how their grade is incorporating green lessons. They are also informed of new monthly green school activities and are tasked with bringing this news to their respective team for implementation. This approach makes green school a part of daily life at Folger. Below is a sample of meeting minutes through the years.
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1.2.2 Ten Percent of teaching staff
Professional Development
All kindergarten, first, second, as well as resource (cultural arts and special education) teachers
participated in a professional development session entitled Move, Move, Move. This session was presented by the school Guidance Counselor and the two Physical Education teachers, who had attended county training on this new curriculum initiative. In total, 25 staff members attended this PD session. They added school-specific components to facilitate implementation of this new learning methodology, which goes hand in hand with the Green School ideal of Healthy School Environment.
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All staff participated in a PD session aimed at increasing usage of the outdoor classroom for interdisciplinary lessons. Staff representing multiple grades developed grab and go lessons to make heading outside for instruction as easy as opening the door!
outdoor_classroom_for_faculty.pptx | |
File Size: | 109 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Fourth grade team of teachers participated in training with Arlington Echo staff in advance of the annual field trip to the site. There is a great deal of planning associated with this 2 day, overnight field trip that allows students to make strong connections to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in which they live. In addition to the field trip itself, there are many pre and post classroom lessons that the staff must receive annual training on to maximize the learning for all students.
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The Principal regularly attends Principal meetings at Arlington Echo. At this site, an emphasis on environmental awareness is always incorporated, such as reducing waste during meals. This mindset about using every opportunity to make a connection to the environment is then brought back to Folger.
In advance of implementing the Drownproofing water safety lessons and attending the multiple-day field trip, 5th grade teachers receive training from Arlington Echo staff to make the most of this learning experience.
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1.3 school-wide environmental
Behavior changes
Students are not the only drivers of environmental commitment at Folger McKinsey. Many practices have been implemented by staff and the parent base that contribute to bettering the Earth and furthering the Green School program. Of course, the development and success of such practices is indeed tied to the ease and enthusiasm with which our students have embraced environmental practices. The program is a wonderful example of the fact that we are all life-long learners and that oftentimes it is the students who become the teachers!
Paper use has been curbed with the implementation of technology at all grade levels. For example, the photos showcase 2nd grade where teachers help students learn technology skills, crucial 21st century skills, while emphasizing how this helps the environment by decreasing paper use. Seen here are projects now completed on Discovery Education rather than poster boards. Students also participate in researching online databases rather than teachers printing multiple sets of articles. Additionally, spelling tests and homework are completed online rather than using paper.
With increased integration of technology, paper reduction has been highly successful. And while using technology, students are made aware of the need to conserve energy, powering down when not in use and sharing resources.
With increased integration of technology, paper reduction has been highly successful. And while using technology, students are made aware of the need to conserve energy, powering down when not in use and sharing resources.
These kindergarten students demonstrate another example of paper reduction. These re-usable passes were created by the school Guidance Counselor. She discontinued the use of paper, as she formerly issued a one-time use paper pass for every student to attend a lunch bunch or small guidance group. Given that as many as 20 students per day participate in such activity, this quickly adds up and makes a real difference!
1.4 celebration
When it comes to Green School, Folger has much to celebrate! More importantly, the school community does indeed take time to do so, keeping the enthusiasm for the program front and center and bringing more people into the fold by informing them and engaging them as active participants. Celebrations are not just a way to acknowledge past achievements but a vital means to further the school’s commitment and expand the reach.
Celebration is indeed a means to stewardship!
Celebration is indeed a means to stewardship!
Annual Severna park earth day festival
Folger has participated in the annual event each year, which will be celebrating its 15th year in 2017. In fact, Folger is integral to the overall success of the event, offering multiple learning activities to the hundreds of youth and adults in attendance. Staff, parent volunteers and students lead the way with crafts generated from recycling and re-using materials, learning games and calls to action to reduce, re-use and recycle.
National walk/bike to school day
Every October, Folger celebrates Bike & Walk to School Day and the tradition grows each year! In addition to the actual activity, morning announcements and posts on the school communication system promote the reasons why this is important. Additionally, students from OC2 track the activity to measure impact. These types of celebrations are incorporated into classrooms, as the connections to math and writing are easily made.
Green apple day of service
This tradition began in 2012 and the impact is truly awesome! This event was born out of the National Green School program and promotes the idea that WHERE students learn matters. As such, 600+ students, 100 staff and as many volunteers ALL go outside on this day dedicated to environmental learning and maintenance of the school campus. Each grade spends a minimum of one hour moving from one station to the next engaged in such activities as weeding, planting, raking, mulching, creating environmental crafts, and enjoying games such as Green School Scavenger Hunt and Our Earth Is In JEOPARDY. This September event is a great start to the academic year and renewing the school’s commitment to all things green.
America recycles day
This annual event promotes the concepts of reducing and recycling and students have a lot of fun in the process through classroom competitions as to who reduces and recycles more. Staying true to the virtues of environmental commitment, the coveted prize is a special session of outdoor learning and team-building activities. This campaign is led by OC2 members who craft a lesson that is shared with all students, as it’s important for students to get involved in recycling but the lesson is key to sharing the “why” behind this practice.
morning announcements
Members of OC2 regularly appear on morning announcements to deliver news about various green school initiatives from Walk/Bike to School Day, Waste Free Wednesdays, the Earth Day Festival, and energy conservation. The excitement they have is contagious for these efforts! What a difference it makes to have students lead other students - and even teachers and parents - in learning what everyone can do to help the earth!
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Green School Youth Summit
The Green School Youth Summit is the highlight of the year for OC2 members who see this field trip as a culmination and celebration for their efforts. Attending this event, with so many engaging, hands-on learning activities, is fun and exciting. Not only is it a great way to end a year of hard work on the green school front, it's also a great motivator in planning new initiatives for the upcoming year. In addition to inspiring students, the staff who attend spend the day in search of ideas to implement in Folger classrooms - and given the myriad displays, there is no shortage of materials to bring back to school. This event is also special for those years in which Folger is recognized on the stage to receive a Green School award.