The Innovative School advocates education for sustainability. The Innovative School has partnered with parents to develop an awareness that reflects Montessori philosophy. Our goal is to provide enough information to our families to prepare our students for the shift toward a sustainable future.
The term "sustainability" can mean different things to different people. If you are like me, you think of environmental education, the green movement, recycling, and riding your bike to school. Education for sustainability does encompass those things, but there is much more. Sustainability means providing a rich quality of life for all, and accomplishing this within the means of nature. And sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
As the depletion of natural resources becomes impossible to ignore and the results of individual practices continue to nudge the global thermometer upwards, people, civilians, academics, businesses and designers are using something that is profoundly abundant to solve this problem - human intellect and creativity.
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| Munir Shivji and Houston Mayor, Annise Parker |
According to Mayor Parker, The City of Houston is working harder than ever to make Houston green. We have made a lot of progress, but more is needed. We need the help of every citizen of Houston to do their part. I would encourage everyone to take a little time and explore this web site to learn what they can do to make Houston green.
-- Mayor Annise D. Parker
The site offers insight into what the city is doing and will be doing as a part of becoming a center of sustainability and renewable energy. Houston has a goal of attaining the new ozone standard by 2018. It is believed that we will achieve it earlier due to the combined efforts that companies and organizations are giving. By each one of us doing our small part, our combined effort saves energy, reduces energy consumption, makes a significant reduction in green house gases, reduces emissions and leads to lower costs, lower waste, lowered tax rates, a win for the city, a win for the economy and a win for the citizens of Houston. With Houston being the energy capital of the world, all eyes are on us to lead the way in being efficient, effective and clear on our pathway to making a difference in the environment.
Here are some ideas Montessorians can use to be proactive:
Litter and Waste
Examine the impact of litter and waste on the environment and explore practical means for reducing and minimizing the amount of litter and waste produced by the school.
Energy
Suggest ways in which all members of the school can work together to increase awareness of energy issues and to improve energy efficiency within the school.
Water
Provide an introduction to the importance of water both locally and globally and raise awareness of how simple actions can substantially cut down water use.
Transportation
Suggest ways for students, staff, and local government to work together to raise awareness of transportation issues and come up with practical solutions that will make a real difference to students’ everyday lives.
Healthy Living
Examine some of the many health factors, mental as well as physical, that influences the ability of students to fulfill their potential and encourage schools to put in place a sustainable plan for becoming a healthy school.
Dr. Montessori said, “There is no description no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees and all of the life to be found around them in a real forest.”Authentic Montessori programs go hand in hand with the ‘going green’ initiative. Her whole philosophy on Cosmic Education facilitates the knowledge a child gains of the universe around them, how they are connected to everything, where they fit in as a part of it, and what impact they have on everything. It is about the interconnectedness of all living things and the environment.
Cosmic education also includes peace education which embraces Dr. Montessori’s quote from Education and Peace, “The prospect of true peace makes us turn our thoughts to the triumph of justice and love among men, to the building of a better world where harmony reigns.”
Cosmic education also includes peace education which embraces Dr. Montessori’s quote from Education and Peace, “The prospect of true peace makes us turn our thoughts to the triumph of justice and love among men, to the building of a better world where harmony reigns.”
Cosmic Education at the early childhood level is more of an indirect preparation for the elementary, developmentally appropriate experiential learning opportunities during the elementary student’s sensitive period for moral development. One must keep in mind the early childhood student is still in the ‘what is it’ period; they are developing their independence, while emerging into the notion of interdependence. At the elementary level, as the student is entering their moral development period, where the awareness of interdependence and interconnectedness surfaces – both of which are essential to Cosmic Education.
In the Montessori curriculum, countless Montessorians have contributed ideas, lessons, and books to help teachers integrate the great possibilities students have in making a difference on the environment. Possibly the most vital component of the student’s experience is NOT the lessons, but rather the impressions formed by the child during their life in the classroom. The strongest control of error in the early childhood classroom is the teacher. The experience a student, in the first plane of development, has in the classroom is THE opportunity where the they can develop what will later become their awareness of relating to the environment and whether or not they will care for it or be apathetic.
Ways to Create a Green Classroom
Stop and smell the flowers, and the pine trees, and the moss, and the bark and everything else. Take time to get outside and appreciate nature.Reduce, Reduce and then reduce some more. Since it would take about six planets to support humans if everyone lived like Americans, people must reduce the use of energy, water, paper, and everything else to protect planet Earth.
Empower students to make change. Students are capable to much more than they are generally given credit for if they understand why it is so important to change. Give them a chance to find solutions and create a better world.
Your classrooms should reflect the concepts of green living and planetary protection. It's nearly impossible to transition to a totally sustainable building in the blink of an eye, but there are many small ways you can make the classroom embody the green movement. Schools that are sustainable:
- avoid waste
- use locally created products and services
- take responsibility for their effects on the natural environment.
