Product Description
At a time when polls suggest that a majority of young British people believe that the future will offer a worse quality of life than the present,it is becoming imperative that children are introduced to principles of sustainability through the educational system from an early age, and that these principles are regularly reinforced and built upon. The government's own Panel on Sustainable Development has called for a 'comprehensive strategy for environmental and training', and NGOs frequently point to education as a key policy instrument in the transition to sustainable development. This is the first book published in Britain to provide an overview of the theory and practice of this issues. It brings together contributions from environmental educators working in the formal and informal sectors and in continuing education, and provides perspectives on the philosophy, politics and pedagogy of education for sustainability, as well as case studies and pointers towards good practice.
Part I establishes some initial perspectives on sustainability, education and the role of NGOs; the potential for education for sustainability in the formal and informal sectors is assessed in Parts II and III; Part IV discusses its development as part of the greening of business and local government; and Part V looks at the way forward. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good book, but doesn't always apply...
I liked the suggestions in this book; however, many of the arguments AGAINST a topic called 'environmental education' in this book are actually based on a specific program in Britain that the authors are referring to.At first I did not realize this, and I thought that the authors were suggesting that environmental education was a bad idea.It was a bit confusing.Beyond that, it definitely has some interesting and helpful ideas if you are an educator. ... Read more

Product Description

Looking for a book on conservation for your storytime read-aloud? A title on recycling projects for your 5th graders? What about information sources on pollution to add to your collection? This guide can help you with challenges like these—and many others. It organizes and describes some 450 current fiction and nonfiction titles about the environment, with some alternative media (DVDs and musical CDs) included, as well.

Green Reads: Best Environmental Resources for Youth, K-12is divided into five chapters, each dedicated to a broad environmental subject. Annotations are arranged first by whether they are nonfiction or fiction and then by age ranges and authors. For each title, you'll find complete bibliographic information, a list of subjects, and codes that denote whether the book is "heart-filled, fun, and lively in tone"; contains substantive factual information; or features hands-on, "what-you-can-do-about-it" information. This is a thorough and versatile source—a must-purchase for school and public libraries.

Customer Reviews (1)

Wesson is AMAZING!
This is an amazing resource.It is very clearly written, and unbelievably entertaining. Wesson's sense of humor shines throughout. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description

In the era of globalization debate has turned to the vital need for a thorough understanding of its impact on the spirituality and health of the youth of today. Spiritual Education in a Divided World recognises the urgent need for effective research in this area. This exceptional volume takes an interdisciplinary approach to tackle the key questions. Bringing together leading international experts, including Zygmunt and Mary Grey, the book combines research and training issues with practical professional experiences.

The first section examines how globalized patterns of economics, conflict and consumerism are affecting the spirituality and imagination of children, young people and their families. In the second and third sections, practical responses from research and from professional experience are presented and critically evaluated.

Readers in professions across teaching, youth work, social work, chaplaincy, nursing, mental health, as well as those concerned with community economics and environmental issues, will find in this volume an exciting, diverse and coherent collection of essays which offers wider perspectives on their work.

This book was previously published as a special issue of The International Journal of Children’s Spirituality.

Product Description
This brand-new Advanced Placement manual is the only book currently on the market that specifically prepares students for the AP Environmental Science Exam. It reviews all important environmental science concepts and problems, including: the flow of energy, its sources, and conversions; the cycling of matter; geology and earth dynamics; the atmosphere, weather, and climate; the biosphere, human history and global distribution; the earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources; measuring environmental quality; global changes; and environmental laws, ethics, and issues. The book's added features include an overview of the test format and test-taking strategies. Two full-length practice tests are presented with questions answered and explained. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Doubles as self-defense weapon
This book is so big and cumbersome, I don't know what to think about it.

The negatives:
Really big, too much information (more than you'll ever need to know), often repeats itself several times (it will repeat facts like it hasn't mentioned it before), in outline form (chapters are "short" blurbs), short blurbs not really organized for quick studying, and the paper is just awful (I hated reading from this book).

The positives:
Essays and quizzes on every possible subject, idiot guide to AP exams, it does tell you everything you might ever need to know about APES, has every law you might ever need to know, and can be used for self-defence.

My suggestion:
If you decide to go with this book, get it as early as possible.Go through these chapters as you go through the class and underline what you think applies to APES (there is a lot to sort through).This will help you review for chapter tests in your APES class and help you in May when you return to the book.Use the quizzes and essays as reviews for your chapter tests and the full AP exams as reviews for finals and then the AP test.You'll be very prepared for this test.

In general the AP test isn't that bad.I got a 5 on the test and mostly reviewed the notes I had to do for the class.This did help me review for many chapter tests, and I looked at the list of laws for the AP test (as my text book didn't have a very good list of laws).Get this if you are willing to commit to a year of work for a high payoff.

TERRIBLE!!!!
In the past, I've done well on my AP exams using Barron's review guides for bio, chem, and stat. Knowing this, I went to buy the Barron's review guide for AP enviro as well. This book is probably the worst thing you could ever buy; I seriously think you would be better off not studying. Not only is the book uninviting, (it's thicker than the textbook) but it presents the facts in a way that makes them impossible to understand. Thorpe, the author of this book, does a wonderful job of providing you with a million statistics and a plethora of charts without actually explaining the information at all. I have never encountered a more poorly written review guide in my life. If you want to know what percentage of the world's population lives within 250 miles of a coast or that one million teenage girls in the United Statesbecome pregnant each year and 3/4 of these pregancies are unplanned, then this book is definitely for you. However, if you want to do well on the exam, I wouldn't suggest that you buy this book. Due to my terrible procrastination habits and this book, I will spend the rest of the night studying from my textbook for my exam tomorrow. I'll be happy if i get a four.

absolutely horrible
I self-studied the AP Environmental Science exam as a sophomore. Unfortunately, since this was the only book with the AP designation on the cover, it would be my only resource. However, a few days before the actual exam, I began to panic from realizing that there was so much more information that I could possibly memorize (even though I had been preparing since January). So I went to the Collegeboard's description of the examination, and found a list of recommended textbooks, the first of which was Environmental Science by G Tyler (or Tyler G?) Miller. I went to my local library and found a ten year old version of it (Living in the Environment, though all his books are pretty much the same thing but with different titles for each edition). I used it for the last four days and it helped me more than the Barron's book did in the last four months. Oh, and I scored a 5 on the exam, most of which I attribute to Miller's knowledge of the TRUE scope of environmental science, which doesn't include memorizing HUNDREDS (literally!) of US legislation that is at least slightly relevant to the environment, the use of different types of birth control in less developed countries in 1950, or every single eon, era, period, and epoch in the history of the world.

I strongly recommend Miller's book over this one. Also, Princeton Review is publishing an AP Environmental Science book in January of 2006, so you may want to look into that as well.

Ughhh
I hate this stupid book. Not only does it make topics and charts nothing but words, it is full of unnecessary information. The Ap test won't cover so much of the stuff given it's ridiculous. One teacher told me that if I get 50% of the questions right in this book I'm guaranteed at least a 3, that tells you the book has way more info than needed. It leads you to overwork yourself.

useless
This book is filled with useless information that is not on the ap test, save ur money for something else!!! It is much more helpful to review the key points from the textbook. Trust me. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Study of environmental education
I found this book to be vague and uninformative.It was unclear at the end of the book just what community-based education was trying to accomplish.I would not recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
For over twenty years the public has been led to believe that there is a serious educational response underway regarding the environmental problems of the earth. It is not true. The environmental movement has been led astray:+ trivialized by mainstream education+ diluted by those with other agendas+ co-opted by the very agencies and industries that have contributed so much to the problems

This book proposes another direction--an alternative that many environmental leaders and teachers around the world have already taken. It is called The Earth Education Path, and anyone can follow it in developing a genuine educational program made up of magical learning adventures.

Earth education aims to accomplish what environmental education set out to do, but didn't: to help people improve upon their cognitive and affective relationship with the earth's natural communities and life support systems, and begin crafting lifestyles that will lessen their impact upon those places and processes on behalf of all the earth's passengers.

If you care about the health of our troubled planet, then you should read what this internationally known educator has to say about how we lost a whole generation of teachers and leaders and what you can do to help them find their way again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Take the good, ignore the bad
If you can overlook the illustrations of black-eyed mushroom-headed gnomes (what's that about, anyway?) and "in-your-face" style, this book has a few good gems.I wish the author didn't seem to clobber everything around him,and my gut says it shouldn't take well over 300 pages to convey the information, but in the end I think this book will probably have some effect on my nature-education volunteer work.

Earth Education is the answer
I borrowed this book from a highschool teacher while I was teaching grade 5 in an international school, hoping to find some new ways to get across to students important aspects of environmental systems.What I came away with was a totally new and oh so comfortable way of looking at the world.More importantly, I was teaching it to children in a way that I hope will stay with them forever. Environmental education always seemed too clinical for me.Here was something that resonated and created a paradigm shift in me as a person sharing this planet with countless other forms of life.It is a view I now show my own children who happily express their wonder and reverence for nature.Thank you for this book!! I have recommended it to others and would love for it to be required reading by all educators.

A few good points, but narcissistic
I can't totally bash this book because Van Matre did have several ideas that should be incorporated into Environmental Ed (especially 'avoid twenty questions' and 'removing disguises').But it was so tiring to slog through his ego trip.The first chapter does nothing but denigrate every existing EE program that Van Matre could think of.Nothing is good enough for him, and he doesn't even allow that many of these programs do have positive points as well as negative.The second chapter basically says, "thank goodness I have come along, for you were all wandering blind without me!"Finally, starting in about the third chapter, VM starts to expound on his ideas.Scattered throughout are distracting anecdotes that, taken together with the first 2 chapters, only make him appear more egotistical.He included several cute gnomish illustrations and fancy fonts, so the book does have some visual appeal.However, for an environmentalist, there was one thing about his book that puzzled me... Why did he leave a 2 1/2 inch margin along one side of the text?To make the book look longer?Many times there is just one illustration in this huge blank space.Shouldn't an environmentalist be trying to save paper by using as much of a page's surface as possible?If you are interested in EE, I think you should definitely read this book AFTER the first 2 chapters.But don't bother buying it if you don't have to.Look for it in a library first.Failing that, buy it used for as cheap as possible.

Environmental education at its best...magic and clarity...
Everyone working in the field of environmental education should read this book as a foundation for methodology, philosophy and the true spirit of why we do what we do.

Steve Van Matre is a visionary, with a deeply rooted commitment to teaching children how to love nature and act responsibly in it's honor. His books create an understanding that EE is not just science education, nor is it just holding hands and singing the garden song. EE is about a relationship with and responsibility to the ecological systems and their magical life giving, spirit renewing mysteries.

This book provides insight into the author's sometimes abrasive, usually entertaining and sometimes painfully honest view of how EE should and should not occur. Van Matre gives simple descriptions of natural systems and the educational process called earth education.

Earth education is a series of carefully crafted outdoor learning experiences with lots of theatrics, teaching tools materials, and clearly defined outcomes. The author strongly protests "activity" based programs like Project Wild and Project Learning Tree, and the idea of integrating EE into classroom curriculum is without value or success in his view. Van Matre's program promotes immersion into nature, carefully designed learning experiences using hooks and experiential activities with goals and teasers that inspire children to return and learn more.

Van Matre's ecological concepts, teaching style and strong opinions are a foundation for many environmental programs world wide. I see his influence within programs that don't realize they are using his materials.

Not only is this book inspirational and timeless, but an important reminder to not give in to all the pressures that would cause us to integrate, white wash, compromise and otherwise lose track of our goals. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Focuses more on promise, not power, of humane education...
Author Zoe Weil is the president of the International Institute for Humane Education.Hence, this book (The Power and Promise Of Humane Education) focuses on what humane education is and how it can be applied in practice.

First, what is "humane education?"Weil defines it as "...nurturing the best qualities in students and to offer young people the tools to live accordingly" (p. 5).These "best qualities" include:
- kindness
- compassion
- honesty and trustworthiness
- generosity
- courage
- perseverance, self-discipline, and restraint
- humor and playfulness
- wisdom
- integrity
- a willingness to choose and change

[Note: Compare this with the Boy Scout Law: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.]

Weil writes, "It invites students to envision creative solutions and to take individual action so that together we can bring about a world where kindness, integrity, and wisdom are the guiding principles in all our choices and relationships" (p. 4).

In many ways, this reminds me of the pledge championed by the Graduation Pledge Alliance: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."

Why does Weil focus on school children? "Children who learn to live with genuine kindness toward others, to think critically about their choices and their lives, and to make wise decisions, help prevent future suffering and disaster" (p. 7).

She has four elements of humane education:1) providing accurate information, 2) fostering the 3 C's (curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking), 3) instilling the 3 R's (reverence, respect, and responsibility), and 4) offering positive choices that benefit oneself, other people, the Earth, and animals.

Here are some highlights:

"The humane educator promotes respect by demonstrating respect.No educational approach is more powerful than example, and humane educators teach largely by modeling the message they wish to instill in their students" (p. 30).

"Many people fail to understand the part they play in causing suffering because their contribution seems so miniscule compared to the power that multinational corporations and governments wield in bringing about and escalating the problems of our time" (p. 31).

"What makes humane education so effective as a method of positive change is its emphasis on personal choices" (p. 32).

"While it's important not to overwhelm young children with the ills of the world, the suffering people and animals endure, or the frightening scenarios of an environmentally degraded world, it is critical to awaken children's compassion and sense of citizenship, to raise their awareness about changes that they can affect through their own daily choices, to nurture their reverence and respect, and to set the stage for them to take responsibility in age-appropriate ways" (p. 39-40).

After setting the stage, Weil provides ideas for 21 humane education activities, ranging from "Judge not, lest ye be judged" (on stereotypes), to "True price" (on the actual environment and social costs of products), to "Whale's stomach" (on trash in the oceans).

Finally, Weil makes suggestions for integrating humane education into the already busy classrooms.

Toward the end of her book, Weil outlines a "My Life is my Message" questionnaire.This multi-page questionnaire encourages each student (and teacher) to reason out how they plan to commit themselves to a humane lifestyle ("I would like to live my life so that it reflects the following qualities more deeply...", "I would like to learn/do the following in order to improve my health...", I would like to learn/do the following in order to improve my attitude, behaviors, and relationships...", "In relation to other people who produce and supply the products and services I use, I currently make the following choices to prevent others from suffering or being exploited...", "I will take the following steps to learn, think critically, and make more humane choices in relation to other species...", and much more).

This book was inspirational and productive.It focused on the promise of humane education, and not the power.What is missing, from a teacher's perspective, is the research that demonstrates the student (and societal) outcomes resulting from these efforts.So when a fellow teacher, or a principal, or a parent from Missouri (the "Show Me" state) asks questions, the answers are there.I remember that the anti-drug D.A.R.E. program had great ideas; it just wasn't effective at stopping kids from using drugs.

The other issue is, like it or not, there are political and religious ramifications of some of the issues involved in Weil's humane education (yes, the reality of climate change is questioned, and yes, there are some states where it is legal for a business to fire a person because he is gay).Be prepared for this.

This book will start you thinking.That's a good thing, isn't it?

very good book
This is my favorite of Weil's books. Although written for those who wish to teach the principles, I think it's great for all audiences. Lots of good information, tips, facts, and more. Two thumbs up!

Fulfills Its Promises
It's pretty clear that all too often the current education system is a way to park kids in a centralized location until they are ready to graduate from child consumers to adultconsumers. Zoe Weil reimagines education from the beginning up and encourages parents, teachers, and every responsible individual to give children an opportunity to grow into passionate, critically astute, and engaged citizens. What more could you want for a country, and what more could you want from a book?

Education that Matters to the World
If our children really learn that the decisions they make, even small decisions, have an affect on the world they inhabit they will have received a true and relevant education. As a teacher and a mother, I read this book with great relish. The time has come for humane education, our world has never needed it more. I will buy this book for many parents and educators I know. Ms. Weil offers a way out of our cycle of uninspiring and increasing obsolete education -- it's revolutionary in its simplicity. Thank you.

Change the world in one generation!
This book is inspiring!If I ever have a day when I am full of despair for the state of the world, I will pick up Zoe Weil's book!Her optimism for a future full of wise decision makers is contagious.Weil describes people who are making a difference and offers her common sense method for teaching people about current issues.The book is clearly written, is full of ideas for curriculum implementation, and offers a large list of resources.

Weil points out that humane education is about providing accurate information and offering positive choices.It does not tell people what to think.Her activities promote critical thinking, instill reverence, and are fun.If every educator had this book, we would change the world in a generation!
... Read more

Product Description
Teachers seeking new ways to integrate Earth science, chemistry, physical geography, and life science into a study of the environment should just step outside! So say the authors of Inside-Out: Environmental Science in the Classroom and the Field, Grades 3 8, who provide thought-provoking, interesting activities to help teachers and students leave the classroom and learn outside. Inside-Out covers topics such as using topographic maps to better understand landforms, exploring the physical landscape of a local area, how water sustains biological organisms, and the relationship between soil conditions and local flora using both field- and classroom-based lessons to convey important environmental science concepts. Each chapter includes an introduction to the material covered, followed by activities that allow students to use direct observation and inquiry to learn various concepts in environmental science. The authors also provide many web resources that will point teachers in the right direction for gaining even more information about these subjects. If you re looking for a way to bring environmental science lessons to life for your students, Inside-Out can help you do it! ... Read more

Product Description
One of a series of practical references for teachers, this handbook provides general information on the background of the environmental studies curriculum in the United States. It contains current information on publications, standards and special materials for the curriculum, and is designed to be adapted to suit particular schools. ... Read more

Product Description
The articles in this collection examine the issues arising from the use and abuse of the term "ecology" in environmental education to encourage ecologists to become more engaged with education at all levels. Although great efforts have been made to improve understanding of the environment via programs offered by educational establishments, government agencies and others, it is sometimes perceived that environmental "education" actually entails the "advocacy" of particular values and beliefs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

well-intentioned, but flawed, guidebook
This book has many typographical errors and some scientific errors as well. Intended to reach a nonscientific audience, the authors have oversimplified many topics to the point of giving incorrect information.Nonexpert secondary teachers, for whom the book is intended, will not bewell-served and will convey incorrect information to their students if theyrely heavily on this volume to the exclusion of other scholarly referencesin the areas of limnology, zoology, entomology, and general biology. Othergeneral guidebooks, such as the Golden Guides or National Audobon Seriesprovide better information, although not tailored for an educationalpurpose. Teachers should use this book with caution with respect to thescientific material. Although the science-in-action concept ispedagogically appealing, there are too many errors in this book. With athorough editing by a knowledgeable expert, this could be a useful tool forthe high school classroom. ... Read more

Product Description
Rethinking Early Childhood Education is alive with the conviction that teaching young children involves values and vision. This anthology collects inspiring stories about social justice teaching with young children. Included here is outstanding writing from childcare teachers, early-grade public school teachers, scholars, and parents.Early childhood is when we develop our core dispositions the habits of thinking that shape how we live. This book shows how educators can nurture empathy, an ecological consciousness, curiosity, collaboration, and activism in young children. It invites readers to rethink early childhood education, reminding them that it is inseparable from social justice and ecological education. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good ideas
This book was used for a graduate class and was full of good ideas and stories. I enjoyed it and took many "idea" notes.
... Read more

Product Description
In this study the author begins with the ecological, economic and cultural dimensions of the environmental challenge in education and then applies this discussion to a critique of three philosophies of education (back-to-basic, progressive and holistic). ... Read more

Product Description
In the coming decades, the general public will be required ever more often to understand complex environmental issues, evaluate proposed environmental plans, and understand how individual decisions affect the environment at local to global scales. Thus it is of fundamental importance to ensure that higher quality education about these ecological issues raises the environmental literacy of the general public. In order to achieve this, teachers need to be trained as well as classroom practice enhanced. This volume focuses on the integration of environmental education into science teacher education. The book begins by providing readers with foundational knowledge of environmental education as it applies to the discipline of science education. It relates the historical and philosophical underpinnings of EE, as well as current trends in the subject that relate to science teacher education. Later chapters examine the pedagogical practices of environmental education in the context of science teacher education. Case studies of environmental education teaching and learning strategies in science teacher education, and instructional practices in K-12 science classrooms, are included.This book shares knowledge and ideas about environmental education pedagogy and serves as a reliable guide for both science teacher educators and K-12 science educators who wish to insert environmental education into science teacher education. Coverage includes everything from the methods employed in summer camps to the use of podcasting as a pedagogical aid. Studies have shown that schools that do manage to incorporate EE into their teaching programs demonstrate significant growth in student achievement as well as improved student behavior. This text argues that the multidisciplinary nature of environmental education itself requires problem-solving, critical thinking and literacy skills that benefit students’ work right across the curriculum. ... Read more