YA Eco Mysteries, Memoirs, Novels & Travel
Environmental Eco Detectives
04/10/16 10:48 Filed in: Environment
Students Become Eco Detectives
A dozen pairs of eyes fix me, challenging me to do something really interesting.
And so I begin, "How would you like to go on an amazing adventure that will last for your entire life?"
Hands shoot up, wave in the air.
“Great! Then I'm going to show how to become an Eco Detective.”To launch the program, I present the students with eco mysteries to solve.
A dozen pairs of eyes fix me, challenging me to do something really interesting.
And so I begin, "How would you like to go on an amazing adventure that will last for your entire life?"
Hands shoot up, wave in the air.
“Great! Then I'm going to show how to become an Eco Detective.”To launch the program, I present the students with eco mysteries to solve.
Step by step, I encourage the students to follow clues, to make connections, to become detectives who will solve the ecological mystery. Forty minutes fly by. I can tell by the light in the students' eyes that I've aroused their curiosity. I challenge the students to think about an ecological mystery they may have observed in nature, and to launch their own ecological investigations. As the bell rings, Alina generously presents each students with a copy of The Adventures of The Sizzling Six: Living Treasure (Book 4 of my Eco Mystery series). They students proudly line up for me to autograph their new books.
For environmental educators, I’ve created a cross-curricular Unit, “How, to Become an Eco Detective,” which you can find on my website: www.mediamint.net. (just click on TEACHER HANDOUT on the landing page). Students are shown how to research, write, and publish their own eco mysteries. I found inspiration, for this unit while writingThe Adventures of The Sizzling Six eco mystery series. Teachers have found this unit an excellent way to launch Project Based Learning and to encourage science-based creative writing (visit my blog "Environmental Project Based Learning," for more information www.mediamint.net)
I am grateful to Alina Stefanescu for inviting me to share my passion with her students at the Gateway Center, and at Tuscallosa Magnate school. For free curriculum units go t www.mediamint.net
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