03/02/2019
One of the best parts of being a teacher is the feeling you are making a difference to children´s lives and society in general. In the last week at school, as part of our school´s Environmental Awareness Week, I think colleagues and I did that maybe more than ever (I hope that doesn´t come across as self righteous!)
The kids I teach, started the week by watching the movie, The Lorax, and its cautionary message was not lost on them. My favourite line in the movie was "Our research shows that people will buy ANYTHING if you put it in a plastic bottle!" This led perfectly into the children´s "Team Tap" literacy lessons which were based on comparing tap water with bottled water and its environmental impact.
We were also lucky enough to have some special visitors in the school. Safia Spana came in and spoke with the children in their Spanish classes about reducing, reusing and recycling and some of the clean ups she is involved in locally. Pancho Campo, someone who has organised several international conferences on Climate Change and was trained by Vice-President Gore, also visited and presented to our school´s oldest children about global environmental challenges and how we can all help by making changes, even small ones, like taking less time in the shower! (I´ve been trying since!)
Many of the children also got to enjoy a picture book, Little Angelica To Save Our Sea, with its very important environmental message. My class were lucky enough to have a video interview with its author and illustrator Keith Siddle, which was another fantastic experience in a great week.
Unfortunately a wet forecast scampered our plans for a clean up of a local beach and other themed trips, but it is a mere postponement. I know I personally have more I want to do but I feel more than ever that our school community, its staff and most importantly the children will continue trying to make choices that will impact positively on the future of our planet.
Huge thanks to those who organised so much of the week and those who contributed by visiting in person or over the internet!
@ Marbella, Spain
