This weekend I had many experiences that made me open my eyes as well as feel comfort in environmental issues. The first one was the movie King Corn. I watched this documentary today and it made me be more aware of the things that have corn in it. I came to realize that there were not very many things that do not contain corn. I was crazy to think that so many farmers grow corn and that when they harvest it there is so much that it does not fit in the elevator, so they have to create new areas to put it. I always thought when I drove past a field a corn that it would taste like the stuff that I grow in my garden but instead it tastes like sawdust. It actually does not tasted like corn until it is processed. You would think that everything would be healthy when you see the name corn in the ingredients but instead it is not corn it is actually just a pile of sugar. It was interested how when these guys first started out with growing their acre of corn they wanted to track where it went after they harvested it, but seeing that is impossible to do they changed their direction. It is hard to believe that some of it goes for food and is processed and the rest goes to feed lots to be fed to the cows and fattened up so that they can be butchered quicker. I have decided that I am going to do this for my part in the research in the action project.
The other experience that I had was going to Prince Albert. I have never been their before, other then basketball in high school, but that does not count as I was not able to explore what PA had to offer. It is so beautiful their with so many trees and plants to keep you in awe. We went to the Little Red River and went for a hike. It was awesome to walk through the trees and climb up sand hills and over trees that had been cut by the beavers. It was also to see the amount of people that had taken their kids there and spent the day having a picnic and going down the trails. You don't really see that in this neck of the woods. It has been a while since I have seen that many kids out their playing outdoors and enjoying the beautiful environment that is right around them. It makes me proud to be from Saskatchewan as I continue to explore and see the beautiful places that this province has. It is hard to come back to school and sit in a classroom all day after that. I would rather spend my time outside enjoying the outdoors.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
September 22, 2010
Today we had the opportunity to talk to Colin via skype. It was awesome to listen to his action plan of running across Canada during the winter and stopping in schools along to way to talk to schools about the importance of getting students outdoors. I think that these students will learn lots from Colin, and I believe that he will get media attention (or at least he should he is running in the winter) that will get the message out to everyone. I believe that help inspire all of us for our action projects, maybe not to the extent that he is, but it is reassuring to know that every little thing that we do will make a difference.
Today we also got to talk about the unit plans that we are to do. I think that it will be a challenge to get it done on short notice but think that it can be done. I am excited to learn new ideas from fellow classmates that I can take and use with my students.
Today we also got to talk about the unit plans that we are to do. I think that it will be a challenge to get it done on short notice but think that it can be done. I am excited to learn new ideas from fellow classmates that I can take and use with my students.
September 20, 2010
Today our class had the privileged of skyping with a grade 6/7 class from Moose Jaw. It was a great opportunity for them to learn from us what we are learning about and what we think is the important about the environment. We also had the opportunity to learn what they are learning about and what they are doing to help the environment. I believe that this type of technology provides amazing opportunities for students and classrooms to connect with others from all over the world. It makes the learning possibilities richer students as they learn from other cultures and places.
Today we also got to hear the presentations from the other groups about their action projects. It was awesome listening to the different ideas and the action that they are trying to achieve. These action projects can easily be incorporated and be done in classrooms, as they are excited to challenge themselves to help the environment. It will be interesting to find out if each of the groups was successful in their action and what they have learned throughout the process. I am excited to continue my journey through the action project that my group is doing. Something that makes me a little uneasy is trying to change the way I live as it is hard to change something that you have been doing your whole life.
It was also exciting listening to Kathleen talk about the YES program and it makes me feel better that their are programs that are coming into the school that helps with environmental issues and also educate them on the issues. I am excited to be working with these kids and working them through the sessions.
Today we also got to hear the presentations from the other groups about their action projects. It was awesome listening to the different ideas and the action that they are trying to achieve. These action projects can easily be incorporated and be done in classrooms, as they are excited to challenge themselves to help the environment. It will be interesting to find out if each of the groups was successful in their action and what they have learned throughout the process. I am excited to continue my journey through the action project that my group is doing. Something that makes me a little uneasy is trying to change the way I live as it is hard to change something that you have been doing your whole life.
It was also exciting listening to Kathleen talk about the YES program and it makes me feel better that their are programs that are coming into the school that helps with environmental issues and also educate them on the issues. I am excited to be working with these kids and working them through the sessions.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Opening my eyes
I see today as one of those days that I have changed my way of thinking about the world. This morning I watched the movie Food INC., as part of my action project around food consumerism. It opened my eyes to what we pump into our bodies 3 times a day. It actually made me disgusted, and made me not want to eat ever again. It definetly hit home for me as my family use to be dairy farmers and now we are just beef farmers. I found myself comparing our style of farming to the ones that were displayed in the movie that worked for the production companies. I would not be able to live with myself if my family treated our animals as badly as they were. It makes me sick thinking about all the chemicals and toxins that we eat at every meal. It hurts thinking about all the people who have gotten sick or have even died because of all the diseases that form in our meat during production. It makes me upset to think that these companies can get away with it because they are so powerful. This movie has made me re-think the way I have been living, and I want to help be the change in food consumerism.
This afternoon I took some time to be still and process what I had just witnessed. I actually never did this activity the other day, as I wanted to do it in a place that is very special to me. I have waited, and I am doing it at my family farm away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is hard to be still and find somewhere quiet in the city as there is always something going on and it is never truly quiet. Instead I am in the environment that has shaped who I am and has provided me with many of my memories. As I sit here and listen to the pond drip water outside my front door, and watch the bugs and plants move around me and when I look up I see nothing but open space for miles with uncombined fields it helps me try and grasp what I have witnessed today. It is hard sitting here (in my perfect world) thinking that this and other environmental issues are going on and effecting us. I wish I could stay in this place where it seems like nothing bad can happen. In reality I know when I leave this place I will re-enter the fast paced society that we live in and all these issues will arise again. It is hard to think that I am only one person and that these issues are way out of my reach to fix completely. That doesn’t mean that I won’t try to change my habits to make a little difference and educate other to hopefully make a bigger difference.
This afternoon I took some time to be still and process what I had just witnessed. I actually never did this activity the other day, as I wanted to do it in a place that is very special to me. I have waited, and I am doing it at my family farm away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is hard to be still and find somewhere quiet in the city as there is always something going on and it is never truly quiet. Instead I am in the environment that has shaped who I am and has provided me with many of my memories. As I sit here and listen to the pond drip water outside my front door, and watch the bugs and plants move around me and when I look up I see nothing but open space for miles with uncombined fields it helps me try and grasp what I have witnessed today. It is hard sitting here (in my perfect world) thinking that this and other environmental issues are going on and effecting us. I wish I could stay in this place where it seems like nothing bad can happen. In reality I know when I leave this place I will re-enter the fast paced society that we live in and all these issues will arise again. It is hard to think that I am only one person and that these issues are way out of my reach to fix completely. That doesn’t mean that I won’t try to change my habits to make a little difference and educate other to hopefully make a bigger difference.
September 15, 2010
I have to admit at eh beginning of this class I was so confused and stressed beyond belief. When we first started talking about the action plan and the twelve steps I had no idea where it was going. But once a couple of groups had taught us about some of the initial steps it all came together. At about step 3 when we were getting into our groups it started to become relevant. When everyone was saying what issues they were interested in pursuing I thought to myself how messed up this world is as there were so many issues brought up. I am so happy to be a part of the food consumerism group. It is an issue that I was never really concerned about, as I have never thought about it. I feel that it is going to be a huge challenge for me, but I am up for it. I have discovered that it is such a huge issue, and I don’t want to get caught up in it instead I want to be a part of the change. I can’t wait to begin my journey around the issue of food consumerism.
September 13, 2010
Today was an interesting class, as we were outside. This is not a bad thing the only negative is that it was raining. I really enjoyed this class as I am a person who loves being outdoors and was never really given a chance to go outside for classes growing up. I think that it is important to get students outside even if it is for other subjects not just in science. We can learn so much from the environment and in my case I can focus, and I want to learn when I am outside. I really liked the assignment called magic spot as it gave me a chance to just be still and let my mind wander and my body relax. I really want to do this activity with my students when I am a teacher as it is an easy way for them to connect with nature. I think that it is a good idea to give the students options like drawing or giving them something to think about while they are in their magic spot. When we came back to the circle I really enjoyed the reading as it explained that kids these days are so plugged into technology that they would rather stay inside and be plugged in rather then going outside and interacting with their environment. I also liked how it mentioned that teachers sometimes focus on the things that are going on in the environment that the students cannot change, such as the oil spill. I think that as teachers it is important to teach students that these things are occurring and maybe talk with them how it could have been prevented, but instead we are making them worry about things that they cannot do anything about. I think that we could teach them instead how to be environmentally friendly by recycling, choosing the right mode of transportation, etc.
I enjoyed the assignment that we had to do called what does environment mean to me? It was a good way to get to know the people that are in my tripod. It is awesome when you can put a picture to what their environments are like and how they are similar and different then mine. I am looking forward to working with my tripod as well I am excited to try some of the activities that we did in class today with my students.
I enjoyed the assignment that we had to do called what does environment mean to me? It was a good way to get to know the people that are in my tripod. It is awesome when you can put a picture to what their environments are like and how they are similar and different then mine. I am looking forward to working with my tripod as well I am excited to try some of the activities that we did in class today with my students.
September 8, 2010
Today was the first day of ESCI 302, and we were asked to keep a journal and record our thoughts and feelings about what went on in class. I have decided to do my journal entries on a blog because it is easier for me to type rather then print as my hands seem to cramp easier these days. Also because we are entering a generation where most of our students have lived most of their lives working on computers. It is an easy way for students to write and enjoy writing, as they know that people from all over the world can read their posts.
I found today was a lot of information to process but it was expected for the first day of class as it happens all the time. It was nice to come to a class were it is designed for high school students, but being an elementary teacher I feel like I was welcome, and I feel that this class will and will continue to establish a sense of place and community. It was awesome to see and get to know everyone in the class, as it reminded me that we are all here for the same reasons and that we can help each other to reach our goals.
I believe that it is important to teach students that the environment is all around us and that there are environmental resources everywhere around us. It is important to teach that just because we have the environment all around us inside does not mean that we shouldn’t go outside. That is the center of the environment and where everything that we use in our daily lives comes from. Something that disrupted my thinking was being told that the people in our lives shapes our environment. This is not a bad thing, I have just never thought about it in that way
I found today was a lot of information to process but it was expected for the first day of class as it happens all the time. It was nice to come to a class were it is designed for high school students, but being an elementary teacher I feel like I was welcome, and I feel that this class will and will continue to establish a sense of place and community. It was awesome to see and get to know everyone in the class, as it reminded me that we are all here for the same reasons and that we can help each other to reach our goals.
I believe that it is important to teach students that the environment is all around us and that there are environmental resources everywhere around us. It is important to teach that just because we have the environment all around us inside does not mean that we shouldn’t go outside. That is the center of the environment and where everything that we use in our daily lives comes from. Something that disrupted my thinking was being told that the people in our lives shapes our environment. This is not a bad thing, I have just never thought about it in that way
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