Mindy Paul

Drexel University
EDGI-541
Teaching Sustainability in Elementary Schools for Our Future
The most significant way of creating positive change for our earth is by teaching the
younger generations an appreciation for our environment and teaching sustainability in
elementary schools. Young children love to learn and they will embrace their teachers educating
them about ways we can protect the earth. If we teach young children how to conserve and
become educated about our environment, then it opens a new generation of more
environmentally conscience people which in turn will hopefully create positive change. Children
will soon be adults and they will have control over our country politically, economically and
socially, so now is the time to instill the importance of sustainability with hopes one day their
generation will be more thoughtful and productive compared to previous generations.
Not only will children today be the ones dealing with the problems we, as well as
previous generations have created, but also they will be the ones trying to create a new way of
life. Learning through inquiry is best so they understand how to relate what they are learning
about the environment to real life. Students can learn by doing experiments, creating sustainable
art, gardening, observing and asking lots of questions. Teaching children about everything from
recycling to turning off the water while they brush their teeth makes a difference. Each child may
only be one person, but they can be one person who makes a difference!
We must teach our students that they have the power to create change. Children can truly
put their hearts and passion into what they want to do and see results if they have warm
supportive teachers like us. If we are teaching about sustainability then we as teachers need to
understand what we are teaching as well. I hope this artifact gives some good information and
sources that can be used in an elementary school classroom.

Although adding a new curriculum including the Outdoor Education, Environmental

Education, Earth Education or Sustainability Education costs money to get the program running,
in the end, it will be cost efficient because the elementary students now will be the ones figuring
out new ways of energy efficiency, how to get clean water, and how to conserve more overall in
daily life. It is in everyones best interest to begin teaching about these topics now. We, as a
society, need to stop questioning and just start doing. Teachers shouldnt fear teaching students
about the human effect on the environment and how we can do better as a whole. We are still
mammals on this planet and although we are highly intelligent, it could be our intelligence that
gets us in trouble. We still have to give earth the credit and respect it deserves for we are still
guests here. Teaching our students these values will continue to grow with them and hopefully
instill a compassion for wanting change and helping our earth become healthier, for if we dont
then our children are going to feel the effects.
For my artifact I chose a photo of one of my students from last summer. We enjoyed a
beautiful July day outside in our Outdoor Classroom. We read books, explored the butterfly
garden, and checked on the growth in our fruit and veggie garden. It made me realize how
special just a small experience like this was for this student. He fully embraced the experience
when he made a little bug friend. The little bug on his arm in the photo spent some time with us
and my student no longer was afraid of bugs. Instead he wanted to read to the bug. My student
left the summer academy with a strong understanding of the importance of nature, growing his
own food, and how he could live more sustainably. He learned how to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
We also made a compost that we used daily. He knew ways he could create change in his home
and his everyday life. As his teacher I was proud and I knew the lessons he learned he would

remember for the rest of this life. I thought this photo truly represents my passion for
sustainability in an elementary education.
Although my artifact is on teaching sustainability in elementary schools, I firmly believe
we need to practice what we preach, so lets all become more sustainable. We are what we eat so
grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. We may not have control over laws but we have
control over what we buy and which companies we support. We can turn out a light while we
arent in a room. We can turn off the water while brushing our teeth. We can limit our driving to
do whats necessary. Overall we can conserve and become more sustainable as we teach our
students the same. The real question is what if we dont teach our elementary students about
sustainability, then what will happen to the earth and their future?

Artifact References
Barr, Stephanie K., Cross Jennifer E., & Dunbar, Brian H. (2014). The Whole-School
Sustainability Framework: Guiding Principles for Integrating Sustainability Into All
Aspects of a School Organization.
http://centerforgreenschools.org/Libraries/Publications/WholeSchool_Sustainability_Framework.sflb.ashx

Godman, Heidi (2012). Backyard gardening: grow your own food, improve your health. Harvard
Health Publications. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/backyardgardening-grow-your-own-food-improve-your-health-201206294984

ITB School of Sustainability. www.itbkids.com

Jones, M. [Matt Jones]. (2015, February 22). Magic School Bus Episode 11 (Goes to Seed)
[Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC__dRs8bYo

Live Science Staff (2006). 10 Ways You Can Improve Earths Health. Retrieved from
http://www.livescience.com/4091-10-ways-improve-earth-health.html

Loskota, Amy M. (2004). Environmental Education to Sustainability Education: Effective and

Inclusive Strategies For Teaching to All Elementary Students. The Evergreen State
College.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Lgt4QEOPQE0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs
_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Panizza, M. [Marcelo Panizza]. (2009, June 27). Michael Jackson Save Our Planet [Video
File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuNK-m3Q624

Potted Perfection, LLC. www.pottedperfectionllc.com

Spearman, M., & Eckhoff, A. (2012). Teaching young learners about sustainability. Childhood
Education, 88(6), 354+. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE
%7CA312290673&v=2.1&u=drexel_main&it
=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=8b506fd7df52f6feb6f3847f4d1a5510

Stone, Michael K. (2010). A Schooling for Sustainability Framework. Teacher Education

Quarterly. 4(37), p.33-46. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ904898.pdf