Really Small Vernon Press, 2010, ISBN 978-0-88865-672-8, 220 pp., C$25 from Intergenerational Landed Learning on the Farm, jolie.mayer-smith@ubc.ca.


Doable


Renewables Curious, hands- on science lovers will enjoy the projects in Doable Renew- ables: 16 Alter- native Energy Projects For Young Scientists


by electrical engineer Mike Rigsby. Each chapter contains a materials list (including ordering information) and simple instructions to construct a number of mechanisms which demon- strate the power of renewable energy, from solar to wind and wave energy. Most required materials are standard household items. Most projects are ideally suited for ages 12-15; students below grade 8 will most likely require the assistance of an adult, especially for safety reasons (some projects require soldering and power tools). The clear diagrams are helpful in under- standing the construction process, but in some cases the black and white photographs of different stages of construction could be more clear. This book contains excellent ideas for sci- ence fair projects or independent study extensions, and may serve to help inspire future inventions which harvest sustainable energy. – (KB/JC)


Chicago Review Press, 2010, ISBN 978- 1-56976-343-8 (pb/PDF/Kindle), 195pp., US$16.95 (pb)/$11.95 (Kindle/PDF) from Independent Publishers Group, (800) 888- 4741, <www.ipgbook.com>.


HOPE Hope Is an Imperative is a compilation of some of the most provocative and poignant essays of distinguished American envi- ronmental stud- ies professor and writer David Orr.


In the essays, Orr examines myriad political, social, economic and psycho- logical obstacles to sustainable living facing modern societies. While not pro- viding a specific template for teaching


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students about sustainability, the wisdom in this anthology can provide inspiration and ideas for how to apply sustainability principles into your teaching programs, community, and life. Ranging in topics from economic growth to religion and architecture, each chapter explains how these topics relate to sustainability. Moreover, it suggests ways to move beyond the detrimental constructs of our present education sys- tem, building practices, environmental policies, and ideologies. In the section on education, Orr is critical of current pedagogy which he says “emphasizes theories, not values; abstractions rather than consciousness; neat answers instead of questions; and technical efficiency over conscience.” Orr wants students not just to theorize but to participate, in a system where land, air and sea become the driving force of the curriculum and provide a context for why we learn what we learn. Advanced/enriched high school students may also enjoy this book. – (AG)


Island Press, 2011, ISBN 978-1-59726-700- 7 (pb), 370 pp., US$30 from Island Press, <www.islandpress.com>.


Garbage!


DVD Ever wonder what would happen if you kept every piece of garbage for three months? This was the basis of An- drew Nisker’s


feature film Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home. With the help of the ordinary McDonald family, audiences everywhere can now discover how much garbage one family collects in a short amount of time. Nisker takes a deeper look at where the waste ends up. From the plastic bags to poop from their baby’s diapers, viewers can get an up close view of waste management plants, water treatment areas, and re- cycling programs in the United States and Canada. The McDonalds learn how to cut down by reusing, recycling, and most importantly reducing their need to buy. Insightful, energetic and eye opening, Garbage! is 75 minutes of trash-filled adventure everyone can enjoy. Nisker challenges viewers to keep their garbage for three months and start the revolution within in their own lives. This documentary would


GREEN TEACHER 93


be an excellent tool to jumpstart a school’s recycling program. – (JJ)


Garbageman Productions, 2007, (76 minute DVD), US$89 (K-12 schools, libraries & non- profits) from The Video Project, (800) 475- 2638, <www.videoproject.com>; C$19.99- $295 (depending on use) from Take Action Films, <www.takeactionfilms.com>.


GRASP GRASP: A Tool for Developing Ecological Literacy through Rich Performance Tasks is a re- source designed to give K-12


teachers a framework for teaching ecological literacy based on systems thinking—“thinking in terms of rela- tionships, connectedness and context”. Author Steve Bibla and editor Eleanor Dudar draw upon earlier research to apply “GRASP” elements—Goal, Role, Audience, Scenario, and Perfor- mance/product—in promoting ecolog- ical literacy. The “performance tasks” culminate in five projects for different grade levels. The grade 4-5 perfor- mance task, for example, is focused on environmental change in the Arctic: students take on the “Role” of Inuit president, learn about how climate change affects northern communities (“Scenario”), and write a letter (“Per- formance”) to the government (“Audi- ence”) that lists the changes and their consequences. Written for schools in Toronto, some aspects are not applica- ble everywhere. Nonetheless, its value in establishing a simple framework for teaching a modern definition of ecological literacy make it very useful for any teacher looking to incorporate ecological literacy. – (BM/JC)


Toronto District School Board, 2007, 45 page PDF, free download from www. ecoschools.ca. (Click “Guides and other publications” and then “Guides”.)


Wind Power Author and artist Clive Dobson com- bines his creative talents in Wind Power: 20 Projects to Make with Paper, a book of simple paper projects for ages 10 and up. Included are 20 designs for windmills to be created using basic geometric principles. Styles include pinwheels, water-pumping windmills, modern wind turbines, and other less familiar designs. Instructions and diagrams are clear and accompanied


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