Think Green, Take Action

A resource for teaching environmental understanding and activism through stewardship, this book outlines teaching strategies for ages 6—10, provides resources for understanding environmental concerns for ages 10—13, and promotes action and growth for ages 13+. Chapters focus on local ecology, endangered species, resource depletion, and pollution. Extensive annotated bibliographies of both recent and older fiction and nonfiction selections (including works by Joseph Bruchac, Lauren Child, Jean Craighead George, Bob Graham, Carl Hiaasen, Lynne Cherry, Joy Cowley, and Cynthia DeFelice, among others) supplement the activities. Suggested projects cover a wide range of environmental fields; for example, students are encouraged to design a zoo (to investigate endangered species), use a mathematics exercise to evaluate how many trees are needed to build a house, play a game to observe bio-accumulation, experiment with solar power, or participate in exercises for estimating gas mileage or electricity usage. Websites include both private and government resources. This book is most useful as a professional resource for a social studies or science curriculum. The initial introduction for teaching staff, including the author's views on why and how care for the environment should be taught, is a bit long, but the suggested chapter bibliographies appear to be age-appropriate and the activities are often interactive and science-based.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX