Embedded Files
SMCOE DESIGNED TEACHING TOOLS
SMCOE DESIGNED TEACHING TOOLS
Full Unit Resources Developed by SMCOE
Full Unit Resources Developed by SMCOE
Exemplar unit plan for a Solutionary PBL Unit on Zero Waste. This unit covers fundamentals, waste sorting, hauling/processing, and generation. This knowledge culminates in solutionary action!
Supplemental Resources Developed by SMCOE
Supplemental Resources Developed by SMCOE
Field Research Activities for Grades K-12
Field Research Activities for Grades K-12
Overview to Field Research: Field Research is the collection of data and observations outside of a traditional laboratory, classroom, and workplace setting. These Field Research Activities provides the structure for students to learn more about what is going on in their local context (at home, at school, or in the community) for a specific environmental issue. To Complete a Field Research Activity, Select Your Grade Level Below:
Online Research Activities for Grades 6-12
Online Research Activities for Grades 6-12
Overview to WebQuests: WebQuests are a self-directed learning tool that helps learners construct their own learning by determining which sources are most useful. In a WebQuest the learner can:
Choose the Order: Learners can explore resources in any order that they want!
Choose the Length of Time for Learning: Learners might glance quickly through the content on one link and linger longer on another.
To learn more about waste related issues and topics utilize the WebQuests:
Dashboard Data
Overview to Campus Dashboards: The purpose of a campus dashboard and ecological footprint calculator is to make facilities and operations data - energy, water, waste, procurement, etc. - transparent and accessible for use by multiple stakeholders for decision making, student lessons, and solutionary action initiatives. To view examples dashboards for San Mateo County visit:
OTHER WELL-VETTED CURRICULUM RESOURCES
OTHER WELL-VETTED CURRICULUM RESOURCES
Elementary: K-5th Grade Resources
Elementary: K-5th Grade Resources
Do the Rot Thing Compost Curriculum Guide. Hands on lesson plans focus on Rot (the fourth “R”) and how composting works created by Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District. Full range of lesson plans are K-12.
Eco Rise: EcoRise develops the next generation of creative problem solvers by enlivening conventional classrooms with academically-aligned K-12 curriculum that introduce students to environmental literacy, social innovation and hands-on design skills. Green professionals serve as guest speakers and project mentors to help students solve real-world sustainability challenges concerning energy, water, waste, transportation, air quality, food and public spaces.
EPA: A teacher's guide to Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling. Lessons range from K-8 and cover a variety of waste topics including natural resources, recycling, and composting.
Peace Corps: Filter for “Lesson Plans” and by topics “Environment” for a diverse range of lesson plans like:
3rd-5th: Composting and Decomposition Hands on instructions for making compost
K-5th: Timeline for Decomposition Sorting trash on a timeline to better understand rates of decomposition
StopWaste: Doing the 4R’s: A Classroom Guide to Teach Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot. Developed for 4th and 5th grade but easily adaptable to younger grade levels.
SaveonEnergy: Interactive Guide on how to recycle for grades 4-5. This guide includes games, puzzles, and helpful tips on how to recycle. Results can be downloaded and shared for assignment submission.
WakeGOV: All about plastics complete unit of exploration for grades K-5. Lessons cover writing, math, and language standards.
Secondary: 6-12th Grade Resources
Secondary: 6-12th Grade Resources
Eco-Schools: Litter Less free curriculum guide that aligns with UN Sustainability Goals. Lessons are interdisciplinary ranging from cycles in nature to waste laws and regulations.
Energize Schools: Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) has created a number of no-cost resources and supportive services including: sustainability project-based curriculum, instructional support in the classroom, field trips, instructional materials, and teacher trainings. They also have other curriculum resources available to browse and use. Click here or a zero waste school guide, free for California High School Teachers.
California Academy of Sciences:
3-11th Food Waste Audit for home or school
6th-11th Reducing Food Waste Video
Peace Corps: Filter for “Lesson Plans” and by topics “Environment” for a diverse range of lesson plans like:
6th-8th: Community Mapping map out the waste needs of your community
6th-12th: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle case study of Romania
Purdue Agriculture: K - 5 Food Waste Curriculum for students to learn about why food waste is an issue and possible solution steps they can take.
SMC Green Star Schools Program: The San Mateo County Office of Sustainability (SMCOOS) has developed a great resources that includes both curriculum and student leadership programs for waste and other sustainability initiatives. They also have the ability to track and monitor success. Check out the Green Star Schools webpage here.
Republic Services - Recycling Simplified Program: A free online resource with lessons that are at each grade band level, aligned to standards, written and vetted by real teachers, can be used individually or as a unit.
Click here for 3 middle school lesson plans.
WakeGOV: Plastics Exploration Unit for students to investigate the life cycle of plastics for grades 6-8.
World Wildlife Fund: Units exploring food waste for grades 5-12. "The food waste warrior toolkit provides lessons, activities and resources to share how what we eat and what we throw away impacts our planet by creating a classroom in the cafeteria."
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