Connecting Students to the World

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Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future

Welcome! Connecting Students to the World: Engaging K-3

Lessons for Literacy, Science, and Social Studies

Dave Wilton

• Assistant Outreach Director

• [email protected]

• 206-264-1503


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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 and consulting

www.facingthefuture.org


http://www.facingthefuture.org/


Sustainable Development 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

Defining Sustainability

Flourishing

Environment

Strong

Economy

Social

Well-being

Sustainable

Communities


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

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

Searchable Database of

State Education Standards



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


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

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


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


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?


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?


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?


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


http://www.dot-to-dot-books.org/








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 . . .


Appendix:

Country Background Info


Endangered Species

Background Information


Picturing Life in . . .


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

ecosystems

Discover ways that humans can

improve local environments and protect

endangered species Copyright © 2011, Facing the Future

This Chapter Available

as a FREE Download at



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 Natural resource

Environment

Conservation

Endangered species


This Chapter Available

as a FREE Download at



Unit 3:

Culture & Diversity

Objectives Explore elements of their own cultures


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


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


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


responsibilities and teamwork


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



Website Resources

Global

Issues

Tours

Classroom

Examples

Service

Learning

Database



http://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/DownloadFreeCurriculum/tabid/114/Default.aspx



Review of

Curriculum Resources

Student Textbooks

Written for grades 6-12. Preview

chapters available online

Teacher’s Guides

Over 60 free lessons available

at www.facingthefuture.org

Curriculum Units

1-2 weeks in length. Most free to download online


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 to scaffold

for sustainability


Staying Connected

Visit www.facingthefuture.org

Sign up for FTF e-newsletter

Be a Peer Educator

Provide feedback via survey

Contact FTF:

[email protected]



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Curriculum unit available

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“We must teach our students that

they can be architects of the future,

rather than its victims.”

~ Buckminster Fuller, Architect and Philosopher
