February 13 Assignment

We hope you're not too disappointed Swetha and I won't be able to come for our lessons this week, but we did have something that we hope will get you through the next week without us ... an assignment (!!!).

Today, we want you to start considering the role Centennial Place Elementary plays in contributing to global warming. First, we want you to look through the short presentation on what sustainable communities are. Then answer one of the following questions:

1. Do you think you live in a sustainable community? Why or why not?In which way do you think your community could be MORE sustainable, and how could CPE be involved in this effort? (For example, if you think Atlantans need to feel safer, how can CPE promote safety and preparedness among families?)
   
2. How "eco-friendly" do you think CPE is. List three things you've noticed that CPE does (or doesn't do) that may contribute to global warming. Also, list at least three ways CPE tries to conserve resources such as water, energy, or other nonrenewables. If you can't think of any, think of something YOU can do while at school to cut back on CPE's greenhouse gas emissions.
   

NOTE: You will have until next Tuesday to leave a comment. You won't be able to view the comments until we've reviewed and graded them. Next week, we'll share some of the responses we think were well thought-out. Feel free to send an email to cpe.network@gmail.com if you have any questions.

We look forward to hearing from you, and hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day :)

Jacqueline and Swetha

January 30 Lessons

For the first time, each class had a different lesson. For the research part of our community service project, this quarter each class will be learning about the different aspects of climate change and how we can combat this global challenge at CPE and in our community. Last week, everyone got an introduction to what global warming is. This week, the three classes were introduced to the three themes of our research:

1. GLOBAL WARMING AND ITS CAUSES: What is the science behind global warming? What are the causes, and who is responsible? How do we contribute to global warming at CPE?
2. EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING: What impacts will global warming have on the environment? How are human rights affected by global warming?
3. ADDRESSING GLOBAL WARMING: What is being done to address global warming and by whom? What can be done on a local level? How can CPE be a part of the solution to climate change?

This week in the first class, students read about some of the doubts that surround climate change. Some people doubt it is happening and that humans are the cause. The sites we went over showed you evidence that climate change was real, and projections about what could happen if it continues at current pace.

Those of you in the second class read an article and watched a video on the global politics involved in finding solutions to global warming.

In the last class, you watched and discussed a video on the potential threats of global warming:


Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.


Instead of just having us tell you what everyone did this week, we want each of you to share what you learned in your class. Be sure to leave a comment letting everyone know what you thought about what you discussed in class. Here are some of the links and videos from this week's lessons.

Jan. 15 Class

Here's the info we went over for HRE on Jan. 15. If you weren't there that day, it is especially important that you look over this information.

Video--Obama address on global warming: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy_more#relief

Video--Oxfam info video on global warming and human rights: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/campaigns/climate_change

Article--Children and the Environment: http://www.unep.org/paint4planet/facts.aspx

Updates will come soon...I still have to post some more stuff for this day (just have to figure out how to add attachments...let me know if any of you know=) )

Thanks,

Swetha

Here's the CPE 5th Graders Environmental Conservation Blog

Hey,

This is the blog where you can share your research and ideas for your environment project.

Make sure you comment once a week!

Swetha