🌳Imagining and Creating a Equitable and Sustainable Future

𖧧 Share personal experiences about where we see trees and green spaces in our neighborhoods.

𖧧Observe surroundings

𖧧Analyze simple, color-coded maps of tree coverage in Shoreline.

𖧧Take a nature walk or use virtual maps (Google Earth) to observe different areas.

𖧧 Show images of neighborhood with trees and without trees.

𖧧 Ask: How does having more trees make a place better? How do trees help people stay cool, breathe cleaner air, and feel happier?

𖧧 Explain that some areas have fewer trees because of past city planning choices, which means some neighborhoods get hotter and have more pollution.

𖧧 Discuss: Why do some places have more trees than others? How does this affect people and animals?

𖧧 Make connections to our lives

𖧧 - Cities remove trees, which changes temperature and habitat.

𖧧 Some areas in Shoreline have lots of trees, but others don’t.

𖧧 The City of Shoreline is working to restore trees and green spaces through its Climate Action Plan.

𖧧 Trees are not just decorations—they provide shade, keep the air clean, and help animals find homes.

𖧧 Some neighborhoods have fewer trees, making them hotter and less healthy.

𖧧 Everyone deserves access to green spaces, but some communities don’t have as many trees because of decisions made long ago.

𖧧 Our city is still changing. 

𖧧 Understanding how different neighborhoods in their city have different amounts of trees and why that matters.

𖧧 Understanding environmental justice helps us see how nature and fairness are connected.

𖧧 We start thinking about how we can help bring more trees and nature to places that need them.

𖧧 Imagine yourself as a future environmental leader.

𖧧 Pick a location (a schoolyard, a park, or a street) 

𖧧 Take a photo or draw what it looks like in the present.

𖧧 Imagine and draw past, present, and future versions of this place.

• How will I care for the environment in the future?

• What actions will I take to help nature?

• If I designed my dream neighborhood, what green spaces would I include?

𖧧 Students present their work.

𖧧 The Environment has changed over time, and we can help change it for the better.

𖧧 Our ideas can help make our community greener and healthier.

𖧧 We learn how the environment has transformed and how we can use that knowledge to imagine a sustainable future.

𖧧 We learn that we can be part of making our city a better place.

𖧧 Read, Kids and Conservation, about children helping the environment.

𖧧  Share EngageShoreline 

𖧧 Brainstorm ways we can support our environment (planting trees, making gardens, helping pollinators).

𖧧 Choose a simple class action project (e.g., planting a small tree, making seed balls, or creating a pollinator-friendly space).

𖧧 Small actions can lead to big changes.

𖧧 We can help nature by adding more plants, protecting trees, and creating homes for animals.

𖧧 We practice taking real steps to improve our environment.

𖧧 We can take action by asking for more trees, helping plant them, and telling others why green spaces matter.

𖧧 We can use our Solution Bank to support ideas for ways to make green spaces

𖧧  Look at different ways people create green spaces (Miyawaki forests, school gardens, green roofs).

𖧧 Work in small groups to create a model or drawing of a green space they want to build.

𖧧 Present their ideas to the class and explain why their space helps people and nature.

𖧧 Urban heat and biodiversity loss are connected.

𖧧 Native plants are critical for successful restoration.

𖧧 Solutions need to be targeted (e.g., tree placement and species selection matter).

𖧧 We learn how to plan and design solutions for our community.

𖧧 Final Explanation: Cities need forests to reduce heat, support biodiversity, and improve human well-being.

𖧧 Students propose and implement real-world solutions using native plant diversity.

𖧧 Write an opinion letter about or make a poster about where we would like to see more trees and/or changes in the environment.

𖧧 Share our ideas with families, school leaders, or the community.

𖧧 Celebrate with a small action (e.g., planting a tree, making an environment sign, or sharing our learning at an event).

𖧧 Students present future spaces highlighting findings on biodiversity, tree cover, and urban heat using evidence-based explanations.

𖧧 Share solutions for improving sustainability in Shoreline.

𖧧 Celebrate with a tree planting event using diverse native plants

𖧧 - Nature can help make our community stronger and healthier.

𖧧 We can be the ones to help nature come back and thrive.

𖧧  We have the power to create change using science.

𖧧 Sharing our findings helps educate the community.

𖧧  By expressing our ideas through writing, we engage in Imagining sustainable spaces for the future and understand how to care for them.

𖧧 Final Explanation: Urban forests are essential for climate adaptation, biodiversity, and human health.

𖧧 Taking action strengthens our community and environment.