More Related Content Similar to Facing the Future Presentation at NCSS 2012 (20) Facing the Future Presentation at NCSS 20121. Their Voices, Their World:
Connecting Social Studies,
Literacy, and Science
Dave Wilton
www.facingthefuture.org
4. "When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic
about the future, my answer is always the
same: If you look at the science about what is
happening on earth and aren’t pessimistic,
you don’t understand the data. But if you meet
the people who are working to restore this
earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren’t
optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse."
~ Paul Hawken
Environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
5. About Facing the Future
Seattle-based nonprofit
founded in 1995
Interdisciplinary global
issues and sustainability
curriculum for K-12
Over 1.5 million students
reached annually
All 50 U.S. states and
over 120 countries
Professional development www.facingthefuture.org
and consulting
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
7. Sustainability is . . .
“. . . meeting the
needs of the present
without comprising
the ability of future
generations to meet
their needs.”
“Our Common Future,” United
Nations Brundtland Report, 1987
8. Defining Sustainability
Social
Well-being
Sustainable
Flourishing Communities Strong
Environment Economy
Copyright © 2010, Facing the Future
9. Teaching Global Sustainability
in the Primary Grades
4 Lessons
Simple, local, and personal
learning experience
Diverse learning modes
Integral use of children’s
literature & music
Focus on systems and
interconnections
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
11. Lesson 1:
Map of Myself
Explore personal identity and culture
Respect diversity of identities and cultures
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
12. Lesson 1:
Map of Myself
Activities Resources
Non-verbal My Map Book
introductions by Sara Fanelli
Define identity Fish is Fish
and culture
by Leo Lionni
Poster and
scavenger hunt “So Much the Same”
by Judy and David Gershon
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
17. Lesson 1:
Extension and Action Projects
Interview local community members (or older
“student buddies”) to learn about their
identities and cultures.
Map their origins, draw portraits, take
pictures, compile the biographies into a
book, and/or create a mural.
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
19. Lesson 2:
Connections All Around
Activities Resources
Field trip to a “The Green Grass
dairy/produce Grows All Around”
farm or garden If You Give a Mouse a
Draw or journal Cookie
about farming by Laura Numeroff
Food webs The Lorax
by Dr. Seuss
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
20. Lesson 2:
Connections to Children’s Literature
K - 2nd grade
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
by Laura Numeroff
3rd - 4th grade
The Lorax
by Dr. Seuss
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
21. BEEF
BUN
PATTY
Connections Connections
Wheat, water, sun, Grass, water,
chemicals, tractor,
feedlot corn,
oven to cook buns, slaughterhouse,
plastic bag for buns butcher, trucks
CHEESE TOMATO
Connections Connections
Milk, cow, Soil, sun, fertilizer,
water LETTUCE people to pick
veggies, truck
To make a cheeseburger it takes cows for the beef patty, water and soil for the
lettuce and tomato, trucks to transport the items to the market, and people to
grow, harvest and move the food.
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
22. Lesson 2:
Food Web Assessment Rubric
STANDARD EXCEEDS MEETS BELOW
STANDARD STANDARD STANDARD
FOOD WEB
Content:
Shows connections related
to food item.
Craftsmanship:
The central food item image
and the parts of the web are
clear and readable.
SENTENCE
Content:
Sentence lists connections
related to food item.
Correctness:
Sentence displays proper:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
23. Lesson 2:
Additional Resource
Ecological Footprint: the area of the Earth’s
productive surface (land and sea) that it
takes to produce the goods and services
needed to support a given human lifestyle.
www.kidsfootprint.org
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
25. About the Teacher’s Guide
Four Units
1. Biodiversity & the Natural
World
2. Humans and the
Environment
3. Culture & Diversity
4. Responsibility & Teamwork
Appendix
1. Background Info for Children’s Books
2. Endnotes
Copyright © 2010, Facing the Future
26. Linking Across Curriculum
Connect children’s lit with
foundational science &
social studies concepts
Scaffolding student learning
Aligns to Common Core in:
reading, writing, speaking
and listening
Aligns with specific science & social studies
standards for all 50 states
Copyright © 2010, Facing the Future
28. Teaching for the Future
Challenging issues as
opportunities
Involves students in
solutions
Designed for developmental
needs of K-3 students
Draws on students’ personal
experiences and interests
Copyright © 2010, Facing the Future
29. Lesson Structure
Each lesson can stand alone
Reach all learners
Components:
• Hands on lessons
• Step-by step instructions
• Vocabulary
• Critical Thinking Questions
• Additional Resources & Service Learning Projects
Copyright © 2010, Facing the Future
30. Unit 1: Biodiversity
& the Natural World
Objectives
Determine if items are essential or
nonessential for survival
Compare their survival needs with
those of other animals
Experience simulations of high and
low biodiversity
Read or hear stories about
endangered species
View and label photos of eco-systems
with high and low biodiversity
Discover ways to support biodiversity
locally and globally
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
31. Unit 1: Biodiversity
& the Natural World
Critical Thinking Questions
What things do we need to survive?
How are basic human needs similar to
the needs of animals?
Why is high biodiversity important?
Why is it important to protect
endangered species?
Key Concepts
Essential needs
Habitat
Biodiversity
Endangered species
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
32. Activity 1:
Needs vs. Wants
What things do you
need to survive?
Do animals need the
same things that we
do to survive?
Could we survive
without other
animals and plants?
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
33. Activity 2:
Biodiversity Game
Part 1
K-1: Each plant must pair
up with an animal
2-3: Each animal must pair
up with an plant that it
depends on
Temperature then rises
over the years, how does
weather affect plants?
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
34. Activity 2:
Biodiversity Game
Part 2
K-1: Each plant must pair
up with an animal
2-3: Each animal must pair
up with correspon-ding
animal
Temperature continues to
rise, how does weather
affect plants?
How are animals affected?
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
35. Activity 3:
Children’s Literature
2 books per lesson, 8 books total
Books available in late fall at http://www.dot-to-dot-books.org
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
36. Activity 4:
Picturing Biodiversity
Is it easier to meet your
needs, like food, when
biodiversity is high or
low?
Sort and then label as
high or low biodiversity
This picture shows
high/low biodiversity
because . . .
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
40. Unit 2:
Humans & the Environment
Objectives
Recognize that everyday items are
made from natural resources
Explore a local environment and
identify why nature is important
Determine ways that humans impact a
local environment
Read or listen to stories about
endangered species in different
This Chapter Available
as a FREE Download at
ecosystems
www.facingthefuture.org Discover ways that humans can
improve local environments and protect
endangered species
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
41. Unit 2:
Humans & the Environment
Critical Thinking Questions
What are some ways that we use
Earth’s resources?
How do humans affect the environment
in which they live?
How can humans help the natural
environment?
Key Concepts
This Chapter Available Natural resource
as a FREE Download at Environment
www.facingthefuture.org Conservation
Endangered species
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
42. Unit 3:
Culture & Diversity
Objectives
Explore elements of their own cultures
Read or listen to stories about
endangered species and personal
identity
Interview classmates to learn about
different cultures
Compare and contrast our own culture
to the cultures of others
Discover ways to promote cultural
diversity
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
43. Unit 3:
Culture & Diversity
Critical Thinking Questions
What is culture?
How can we celebrate our own cultures
while also respecting other cultures?
What are some similarities and
differences that exist among all people?
Key Concepts
Culture
Diversity
Tradition
Unity
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
44. Unit 4:
Responsibility & Teamwork
Objectives
Determine why responsibilities exist
Participate in a role-play about rights
and responsibilities
Create an action plan that promotes
taking responsibility in school
Discover ways to promote rights and
responsibilities to humans and the
environment
Read or listen to stories about
responsibilities and teamwork
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
45. Unit 4:
Responsibility & Teamwork
Critical Thinking Questions
What is a responsibility?
What responsibilities do each of us
have as a member of a community?
How can we benefit from working with
other people to solve problems?
Key Concepts
Rules
Responsibility
Teamwork
Problem solving
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
50. Review of
Curriculum Resources
Teacher’s Guides
Over 60 free lessons available
at www.facingthefuture.org
Student Textbooks
Written for grades 6-12. Preview
chapters available online
Curriculum Units
1-2 weeks in length. Most
free to download online
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future
51. Staying Connected
www.facingthefuture.org
www.facebook.com/FacingtheFuture
www.twitter.com/facingthefuture
dave@facingthefuture.org
Copyright © 2012, Facing the Future
52. “We must teach our students that
they can be architects of the future,
rather than its victims.”
~ Buckminster Fuller, Architect and Philosopher
Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future