Post on 31-Mar-2015
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
EXAMINING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL
FOOTPRINT
RENEE WRIGHT, PHD
PRESENTED AT THE CILC SYMPOSIUM, TRITON COLLEGE, APRIL, 2010.
PARTICIPATING COURSES
Rhetoric & Composition 1 Essay
Rhetoric & Composition 2 Essay
Introduction to Speech Persuasive speech
Environmental Biology Poster
Introduction to Business Business analysis of BP Oil
Company Intro to College Writing
2 Poster
Children’s Literature Research environmental &
nature books for children
SET THE CONTEXT
What is the topic or issue? What theme will be the most meaningful? Examining individual environmental impact What can individuals do to change their
individual impact? How long will the discussion take? What outcomes are envisioned?
CREATE HOSPITABLE SPACE
Cover tables with chart paper for writing ideas
Have music playing Have writing material on table Included books and posters during the
discussions
EXPLORE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER
What do you feel so strongly about that you would want to fully dedicate yourself to it?
Why was the first Earth Day needed?
What happened as a result of Earth Day?
Is Earth Day still needed today, and if so, what should be its goals?
Consider how technology has both improved our lives and created new threats to environmental and human health.
EXPLORE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER
Globalize the curriculum Why is there a disconnect
between science & what is being done?
What role, if any, do morality, ethics, and spirituality play in addressing climate change?
What leads some people to commit themselves deeply?
What is the hardest thing about addressing climate change?
CONNECT DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES
Identify assumptions and paradigms that had been in vogue earlier. Discuss with students what current ideas
might shift in the near or distant future. Share values, beliefs, and experiences
about advocating for fairness and social justice.
LISTEN TOGETHER AND NOTICE PATTERNS
Listen for deeper questions, patters, insights and emerging perspectives
Listen with an openness to be influenced by the speaker
Listen for what is not being said
SHARE COLLECTIVE DISCOVERIES
What deeper questions are emerging as a result of these conversations?
Do we notice any patterns and what do those patterns point to, or how do they inform us?
What do we now see and know as a result of these conversations?
SUPPORT RESOURCES
Learning Community on Blackboard
Learning Community on website
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES World Café
www.theworldcafe.com/know-how.htm#context
Earth Days, The Movie www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/earthdays/
Orion Magazine www.orionmagazine.org/
PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, & God 2009 by Frank Warren, http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
Earth Hour www.myearthhour.org/toolkit-supporting-schools
Make Me Sustainable www.makemesustainable.com
Last Child in the Woods http://richardlouv.com/ 2008 by Richard Louv