Recreation

Did you know that children (and adults) now spend 90% of their time inside? We are beginning to see the physical ramifications of this fact through the rise in obesity, heart disease and diabetes among children. However, what are the psychological, emotional and educational consequences of so much time spent inside? There has never been a better time to get schoolchildren outdoors and experiencing nature, and you can also green your school in the process. Now, a green school doesn’t just mean the school building. Did you know that there are certified “green” playgrounds and recreational equipment now? Well, it’s time you had them too, as well as pollinator gardens, educational wetlands, and lots of green open space to enjoy and learn from possibly the best teacher of all – nature.

• Outdoor Classrooms and Gardening
• Taking the Classroom Outside - Background
• Ditch the Desks: Student Action Plan for Taking the Classroom Outside - Student Action Plan
• Let it Rain: The Benefits of Rain Gardens - Lesson Plan

• Composting
• Composting - Background
• The Decomposition Break Down: Action Plan for High School Composting - Student Action Plan
• Composting in the Classroom - Lesson Plan
• Life, Death, Dirt, and Walt Whitman – Lesson Plan

• Water Conservation
• Water Conservation - Background
• Waves of Change: Action Plan for Water Use Reduction - Student Action Plan
• Conserving Water Through Art - Lesson Plan
• Water: an Amazing and Precious Resource – Lesson Plan
• Let it Rain: The Benefits of Rain Gardens - Lesson Plan
• Carrying Water – Lesson Plan