Sustainable+Living

Source: www.vanderbilt.edu/ sustainvu/sustainability.php

Source: World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987, p.43.
 * Definition**
 * "Sustainability is broadly defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."**


 * Cloud Institute's Education for Sustainability Standards and Performance Indicators**

In this tradebook, thirteen very different individuals each tell a story (one chapter each) of their personal involvement and social interactions in the creation of a community garden. Each individual comes to the fledgling garden with a different story. Each individual leaves the garden with a better sense of interdependency, sustainability, and responsibility. In all, students are exposed to sixteen different perspectives (some of the individuals bring a friend!) of how individuals can collectively take care of the commons and learn to live well for the common good. UNIT TITLE: Working together and creating change for the common good Big Ideas: Interdependency, sustainability, responsibility Essential Question: How can we work together to build a sustainable future in our school and community?
 * What is Seedfolks?** by Linda Hoffman

1. We are all in this together. (Interdependency) 2. We recognize and protect the Commons. (Tending to the Creations of Society and Nature) (The Commons - Places we all share) 3. We reconcile individual rights with collective responsibilities. (Participation and Leadership) 4. It all begins with a change in thinking. (Thinking Drives Behavior, Behavior Causes Results) 5. We can all create change in our sphere of influence. (Create a goal, and solve one problem at a time.) 6. We recognize that healthy systems have limits. (Sustainability) Unit of study overview and lessons link:
 * The EfS (Education for Sustainability Standards) addressed in this unit of study and aligned Enduring Understandings:**

=== This unit of study (for ELA/ELL students with special education accommodations) was created by Linda Hoffman and Paula Kohm during the Cloud Institute (July 19-24, 2009) for Sustainability Education (371 7th Avenue, NYC). This unit asks students to read the tradebook // Seedfolks // as a springboard for understanding and reflecting on the Education for Sustainability Standards. // The Lorax // by Dr. Seuss is also worked into the unit in order to sensitize students initially to the issues of the destruction of natural resources through human actions. In addition, students study other sustainability issues that relate to the notion of taking care of the commons (places that we all share) and of having a sense of participation and leadership. ===
 * [[file:kohmhoffmanSeedfolks final2.doc]]**

- **Great vocabulary activities, discussion questions, writing prompts, graphic organizers for pre, during, and post reading activities

R. Singhal's A fun way to discover the diversity of life in familiar surroundings. Students will integrate art with science and learn by exploration and inquiry. The unit can be adapted to places in the neighborhood if the trip to Central Park is not possible!**