What are the expectations?

Classroom Guidelines:

Students are encouraged to create a list of group expectations/rules for their own community meeting together. Students are responsible to follow the expectations/rules. Frequent reminders to respect the standards are encouraged.

Questions that can help guide students in creating their own list:

1) What should we put on the list?

2) How can we make sure everyone has their turn?

3) How can we show respect when a person is signing?

4) What would you say/do when you agree or don't agree with what is said?

5) What would you say/do when you want to add on to a person's comment?

All students must give their consent by giving thumbs-up. The poster will be visible for all students during community meetings.

Topics for community meeting are the following:

1) Are humans responsible for climate change? If so, how and what can we do about it? (gallery walk) ASL Version

2) The role of nuclear power (Is it a threat or a promise?)

3) Mitigation vs. adaptation (Which one matters more?)

4) Geoengineering (Useful mitigation tool or just an excuse for business-as-usual?)

5) The rise of green capitalism (Can capitalism and the climate ever be friends?)

6) Offsetting and trading (Will planting a few trees save us?)

7) Air pollution

8) Carbon and Land Management

9) Do you think recent changes in climate and weather are more attributed to natural or human causes? Explain your reasons.

10) Have you noticed recent changes in the weather or unusual weather patterns where you live? If so, describe them.

How are community meetings assessed?

Teachers keep a detailed observational/anecdotal notebook to record students' thoughtful reflections and knowledge, and to check in their progress throughout the curriculum. Teachers include classroom aides in taking notes of students' responses in community meetings. To categorize students' progress, responses are recorded in color coded sticky notes with their names. The class book can also be used as reference.