3-6 Inquiry Guide
Chapter 4. It's Easy Being Green!
This chapter consists of three guided inquiries that start with a provocation and culminate with ideas to take action.
Contributors: Lynn Bristoll and Judy Halpern
Video guide for Chapter 4. It’s Easy Being Green! Watch here or in our Youtube Playlist.
This chapter explores energy and the green options available to consumers. It then explores the difference between needs and wants, as well as rights and responsibilities so that students understand and can act on the dire need to explore alternative energy options in their lifetime. The chapter concludes with students exploring and identifying careers that are greener to broaden their knowledge and understanding from those traditional professions many aspire to.
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The background information for this chapter delves into the future of careers in climate change: the green economy & climate opportunities.
Students will explore innovations in alternative energy production by exploring a true story of a small Danish island that transformed into a model of sustainability. This book will inspire and motivate readers to learn about renewable energy systems.
Resources:
- Access to the Internet
What do children need to survive and live a healthy, happy life? The activities in this inquiry help students distinguish the difference between the things they want and the things they need. Students will come to understand that needs such as clean water, education and protection from abuse are things that all children have a right to. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child.
Resources:
- Global Education Activity Resource (GEAR) by World Vision, can be accessed at: Global Education Activity Resource
- Strength Chain handout (Understood.org)
What are green careers? How do we view career choices with an environmental lens? As an introduction to green career opportunities, begin by having students watch this video by TVO Kids which introduces them to two careers, a forest manager and water treatment technician.
Forest Manager & Water Technician
Resources:
- Access to the Internet
- Copies of Exploring Career Choices handout
Chapter 4 Curricular Connections
Curricular connections | Concepts |
Science | Sustainability Stewardship Ecosystems Interdependence Changes Cycles Climate Conservation Action Innovation |
Language | Critical literacy Media forms Reading Text features Text forms Inference Retelling Restating Communication |
Social Studies | Physical features Human-environmental interactions Choice Employment Contribution |
Physical Education and Health and Wellness | Motivation Participation Outdoor education |
The Arts | Composition Interpretation Symbolism |
Math | Data literacy |