IHE News & Announcements November 2011

• 7 Resources for 7 Billion: Teaching About Population
  
• Filling the Missing Piece: 5 Questions for Teacher Educator Kathleen Tate
• One Small Step for a Better World: Contact Your Elected Officials
• Give the Gift of Creating a Better World & a Better Life
• 9 Turkey-friendly Children's Books for Thanksgiving
• Coloring Zine Celebrates Thanksliving
• 9 Resources for Helping Green Your Electronics
  

7 RESOURCES FOR 7 BILLION: TEACHING ABOUT  POPULATION

According to experts, October 31 marked the day that the human odometer clicked over to 7 billion. There have never been more people on the planet at the same time, and never so many challenges for figuring out how to live in a way that does the most good and least harm for people, the planet, and animals. Population is definitely a topic worth exploring. Here are 7 resources that can help:

1. Hear the People - A humane education activity created by one of IHE's graduates, this excellent, brief icebreaker uses sound and BBs (the small copper pellets used in BB guns) to help stimulate thinking about the human population issue. (Also check out other activities like Leave Only Footprints & Sustainer to expand discussion.)
   
2. World of 7 Billion - Population Connection offers numerous lesson plans for exploring population issues with middle- and high school students.
3. In his master's thesis, Mathematics for a Broken, Beautiful World, IHE M.Ed. graduate & teacher, Kurt Schmidt, has developed a unit for using math concepts to explore the population issue. ("A Gathering Crowd" begins on page 68 of the pdf file & suggests additional resources, as well.)
4. National Geographic 7 Billion series - If you need articles, photos, maps, and other graphics to spark discussion (and provide background) about the population issue, National Geographic has created a feature series on population. They also have a great 2-minute video that provides a useful (and speedy) overview of population demographics.
5. Grist, an online source for "independent green news," has been blogging about the population issue for months and offers a collection of interesting and thought-provoking resources, essays, and other tidbits about a variety of issues connected to our growing population.
6. World in the Balance video - In 2004 NOVA produced a video exploring challenges and changes in the world's population. Though the data is a bit outdated, there's still much to glean, and the website offers useful articles, activities, and resources, as well as a teacher's guide.
7. World Population video - This short video (about 7 min) graphically represents world population growth from 1 A.D. to (projected) 2030, using dots on a map of the world. It may be a little boring for some students, (so you can always speed up the slower parts), but especially when you get to the 16th century and beyond, it's eye-opening.

Talking about population can be challenging because of issues surrounding personal choice, family planning, eugenics, immigration, inequities in resource use, neglect in considering the impact of human population on animals, etc., but it's essential that we grapple with the myriad issues and challenges involved, because it's a topic that affects everyone and everything on the planet, including the future of our children.

 
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FILLING THE MISSING PIECE: 5 QUESTIONS FOR TEACHER EDUCATOR KATHLEEN TATE

Currently Program Director of the M.Ed. in Teaching and Associate Professor in the School of Education for the American Public University System, Dr. Kathleen Tate has been a teacher educator for nearly a decade. While developing her research agenda, she realized that something was missing from teacher training programs, and her search for the missing piece led her to IHE and humane education. Here are our 5 questions for Kathleen about her work:

IHE: Why did you become a teacher?

KT: I watched the television show The Paper Chase when I was a child and was fascinated by the Harvard law professor on the show -- not by his intensity, but by the position of teaching others. As a third grader, I claimed I wanted to be a professor one day, though at that age I really did not completely understand what that meant.

I graduated with a liberal arts degree, worked corporate in Houston for a while and then returned to the University of Texas on my own dime to pursue teacher certification. I ended up acquiring Texas lifetime licensure in 1st-8th grade Elementary Education; 1st-8th grade Theatre Arts Education; and PK-12th Special Education. I also completed courses for visual impairment certification and a master’s degree in Special Education. My father had severe disabilities, and I was drawn to special education because of it. After completing special education field experiences, I knew I loved working with children and especially children who need accommodations.

IHE: You've been a teacher educator for many years. You've said before that you felt "there was a piece missing" and that humane education was that piece. What led you to humane education (and IHE), and why do you think it's such an essential element of education?

KT: As a professor/teacher educator, I knew I valued the arts and arts-based instruction. To meet the diverse needs of individual learners, I also knew they need variety and varied pathways for learning and expressing understanding. Though I feel I am an expert at making learning fun, relevant, and rigorous for all students, I have always felt there was a larger purpose.

I was initially exposed to Susan Kovalik’s Integrated Thematic Instruction (ITI) model in the 1990's as a teacher in Austin and revisited Kovalik’s later work during my Ph.D. program at Florida State University. Kovalik espouses integrated, thematic instruction that involves responsible citizenship. The notion of elevating curriculum and instruction to extend beyond school walls impacted me.

When I had the opportunity to revamp and bring an undergraduate arts methods course back to the College of Education at the University of West Georgia, it finally started clicking. I knew I had to prepare teacher candidates with more purposeful lesson planning with the arts and across content areas in the thematic, integrated manner I advocate.

In early 2008, as I searched online for the missing piece, I came across IHE's website. Every explanation on the website made sense to me and seemed to provide the missing piece I had been seeking. I liked that IHE focuses on the three major areas of animals, environment, and people and that the goal is to involve all ages of people in making the world better for all. I cannot fathom how educational settings could ignore this call to be more informed, caring, and transformative. When teachers can connect instruction to a larger picture and allow students to take action in meaningful ways, curriculum comes to life. My preference is that this is done through integrating the arts with other areas of the curriculum. My passion is helping educators in this quest. 

IHE: You recently wrote an article (that was published in Teacher Education and Practice) detailing your experiences integrating humane education into your undergraduate and graduate education training courses. Tell us some of what you've learned and what you recommend for other teacher educators.

KT: Focusing on humane education is in alignment with views from the current body of teacher education literature, which calls for the preparation of globally competent teachers. Education cannot continue to teach children in a vacuum, where the learning of facts and skills is done in isolated, non-thematic, impersonal, and meaningless ways.  Teachers must be more informed of the global landscape and prepare children who become more responsible and socially responsible citizens. Global borders are diminishing and people in our society can no longer view issues that seem distant or unrelated as not pertaining to them. The world is rapidly becoming more interconnected and we must take care of all of it in the most compassionate ways possible. Teacher educators must consider these notions.

Humane education does not have to be a part of every single college course, but it can be easily integrated into reading, language arts, science, social studies, fine arts, and physical education methods courses. Humane education can also be a part of courses that focus on diversity, classroom management, and curriculum. I strongly recommend that teacher preparation programs include humane education in ways that emphasize incorporating it into lesson planning across subject areas and exploring theories and educational philosophies that support it.


IHE: What advice would you give to a teacher educator who is hesitant to introduce humane education into the curriculum?

KT: I would suggest researching humane education through IHE's website and relating it to theory and the body of teacher education literature that pertains to social and civic responsibility and the need to prepare globally competent teachers. I suggest gathering resources as well (e.g., online websites, online videos, photos, magazine and newspaper articles, and children’s books). 

Then, it is important to be knowledgeable about relevant state character education standards. Interestingly, it seems a lot of states’ character education standards are not known or discussed in teacher education programs. From there, it is easy to relate humane education topics to your content area standards (e.g., social studies, science, language arts, math, health, and the arts). I recommend developing just one day in a semester devoted to humane education in the course and building from there.

Most important, humane education is action-oriented. Incorporating humane education as lecture only without an application or action component would likely be ineffective. Finally, I would advise professors to collaborate within teacher education programs to develop threads of humane education throughout courses at the entry, mid-point, and end-points of the program. That kind of integration would be more effective than one-shot experiences.

I think teacher educators should also understand that the notion of being socially responsible is not a fad or a new notion. There are centuries of philosophers, theorists, and citizens who have advocated for this kind of active society. It is just that now, with technological advancements and globalization, there is no excuse to be ignorant or complacent.

IHE: What advice would you give to a teacher educator who is enthusiastic about integrating humane education into the curriculum but is finding resistance from fellow educators and administrators?

KT: I suggest that teacher educators who are enthusiastic, but finding resistance, stand firm in their beliefs. My first semester of teaching five sections of a course where I integrated humane education did not go as stellarly as I had hoped. But, it still went well overall. Despite some resistance, a lot of my students did rise to the occasion and helped make a difference locally and beyond, while helping to shift their own teaching direction and possibly the mindsets of the students they taught in the elementary schools. 

Though my colleagues did not seem ready to incorporate humane education into their teaching, they were very supportive of what I was doing. I believe it would be difficult to be opposed to helping animals, children, and the environment! As momentum grew, excitement grew within and across my courses. So, it does take time and people should stick with it. It is worth it!

 
Read our in-depth conversation with Kathleen on our blog here.

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ONE SMALL STEP FOR A BETTER WORLD: CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Right now there's no brighter example of the power of speaking out than what's happening around the world with the Occupy movement. Even in our busy daily lives we can tap into the power of our own voices and influence positive change by regularly contacting our elected officials.  As IHE's president, Zoe Weil, says in her book, Most Good, Least Harm: "People sometimes doubt that their one voice matters very much, yet legislators will form a committee to examine an issue after receiving as few as ten letters on a subject."

Our elected leaders don't know our views unless we share them, so it's essential that we let our voices be heard -- frequently. As Zoe says, "It's so easy to feel disenfranchized from politics. ... But without our voices demanding accountability, honesty, and commitment to the future, we will not succeed in creating real change."

We can contact our elected officials to share our views on a particular issue; to lobby for passage (or failure) of a bill; to compliment or thank them for something they've done; and even to help educate them about an issue (we should never assume that they know what we know or that they are well-informed about an issue just because they're in a position of authority).

The important thing is that they hear from us and get to know us as compassionate, informed solutionaries who embrace the responsibility of our citizenship and who work to advance laws and policies that do the most good and least harm for all.

(If you live in the U.S., you can find the email and phone contact information for your senators and representatives.)

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GIVE THE GIFT OF CREATING A BETTER WORLD & A BETTER LIFE

This holiday season give yourself and your loved ones a gift that will bring real meaning to your life and contribute to a just, compassionate, healthy world for all.

Whether your an educator, activist, parent, or concerned citizen, our online courses help you connect your deepest values with your actions and become more a effective leader for positive social change.

Imagine the delight of your loved ones when you give them an experience that is truly life-changing. Course participants join looking for insights, support and strategies for making a difference in the world and for pursuing a more mindful, joyful life. A few days into the course, they're inspired, empowered, and already making meaningful changes in their habits and choices.  Here's what people are saying about our online courses:

"I love, love, love the course!  I love everything about it  - the topics, the reading, the videos links, the on-line commons!"

"This course is so insightful and interesting – I’m really enjoying it!  I’m so excited to begin thinking about what I can implement in my classes next semester."

"The course ... is wonderful and I'm lapping up the course book. It is food for the soul."

BONUS! Sign up for yourself or register for your friends/loved ones before December 15 for the special price of only $100 per person! That's $35 off the regular price. Just use the discount code: IHE_Holiday_Discount

Take advantage of our next sessions:

Sign up for Raising a Humane Child: February 6-March 16, 2012


Sign up for Teaching for a Positive Future: February 6-March 16, 2012  or October 8-November 16, 2012 (Or, sign up for our special summer 4-week intensive, July 9-August 3, 2012)


Sign up for A Better World, A Meaningful Life: March 5-30, 2012 or October 1-26, 2012


Find out more about our online courses.


Image courtesy of balanced crafts via Creative Commons.

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9 TURKEY-FRIENDLY CHILDREN'S STORIES FOR THANKSGIVING

Traditionally, stories involving Thanksgiving end up with a turkey on the table, but as more families are celebrating Thanksgiving by seeking more mindful and compassionate choices, they're also looking for children's stories where the turkey has a happy ending.  Here are 9 turkey-friendly picture books.

1. Over the River: A Turkey's Tale by Derek Anderson. 2005. (40 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
   Provides some new twists to the traditional song, as a turkey family is traveling to Grandma's and must outsmart a young hunter on the way.
2. Turkey Surprise by Peggy Archer. 2007. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-2.
   A turkey being hunted for Thanksgiving dinner tries to hide from two brothers. When one of the brothers decides he’d rather not eat a turkey, he convinces the other that pumpkin pie would be so much tastier.
3. A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. 1995. (32 pgs) Gr. K-3.
   Mrs. Moose asks her husband to bring home a turkey for Thanksgiving, but what they turkey doesn’t understand is that they want him to join them FOR dinner, not BE the dinner.
4. Albuquerque Turkey by B.G. Ford. 2005. (36 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
   A rhyming story (that can be sung to the tune of "My Darling Clementine") in which a man prepares a Thanksgiving feast for his pet turkey.
5. Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr. 2009. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
   Turkey manages to camouflage himself from the farmer until he gives up and spares the turkey from being dinner.
6. ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. 2004. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-3.
   Follows what happens when a group of school children visit a turkey farm and decide that the turkeys shouldn’t become anyone’s Thanksgiving dinner.
7. The Best Thanksgiving Ever! by Teddy Slater. 2007. (32 pgs) Gr. Pre-K-2.
   A rhyming tale of a turkey family who comes together to celebrate Thanksgiving.
8. Happy Thanksliving!: A Coloring Zine by Nathalie VanBalen. 2011 (20 pgs) All ages.
   A coloring zine for all ages, with a delightful rhyming story featuring a joyful, compassionate Thanksgiving feast.
9. Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler. 2005. (32 pgs) Gr. PreK-3.
   "Runt" has figured out why people come to the turkey farm in November, but no one believes him at first.

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COLORING ZINE CELEBRATES THANKSLIVING

How many times have we thought, "Gosh, it would be great if someone would create x" and then gone on about our business? Artist and author, Nathalie VanBalen, thought it was time for a more compassionate and fun take on Thanksgiving, but instead of just wishing for it, she created a coloring zine for all ages.

Combining a catchy rhyme, creative illustrations, a compassionate message and the fun of coloring, Happy Thanksliving! offers a sweet alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving story and an opportunity to create new traditions and gently explore assumptions about current ones. The rhyming story highlights a joyful, compassionate Thanksgiving feast, emphasizing gratitude --  “give thanks for all that is living — on the ground, in the sea, in the sky” -- and the deliciousness of a veggie feast.

The back cover highlights a few factoids and suggested titles for further reading about turkeys, indigenous people, and Thanksgiving. Here are a couple of screenshots from the zine:

Parents and educators looking for something fun and fresh for Thanksgiving will want to snatch up a copy of Happy Thanksliving! 

The zine is available for purchase here for $5 (which includes shipping within the U.S.). It consists of 20 black and white pages, is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, and is bound with thread “for the safety of little ones."

Nathalie has also written and illustrated the children's book Garlic-Onion-Beet-Spinach-Mango-Carrot-Grapefruit Juice.

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9 RESOURCES FOR HELPING GREEN YOUR ELECTRONICS

The love affair we have with our electronic gadgets is fierce and deep and is only growing exponentially. A recent report from the Consumer Electronics Association projects that electronics sales for the holiday season will account for as much as "one-third of all holiday gift spending." But the collection of all those shiny new objects has a cost well beyond the price tag, which is why it's important for us to ensure that we're making informed, mindful choices about our electronics. Here are 9 resources to help:

If we're buying and using:

1. We can start by asking ourselves these 7 questions before we buy, so that we ensure that we're making our product choices mindfully and that those choices are aligned with our values.

2. Buy used, borrow, or share? We can use our creative skills to hunt for bargains. Is your friend upgrading? Is it available on places like Craigslist, Freecycle or Ebay? Can you share with your significant other, so that you only need one between you? Can you repair and maintain what you have to help it last longer?

3. Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics - It won't tell you specifically what products to buy, but it does give you an inside look at where companies are "on policies and practices to reduce their impact on the climate, produce greener products, and make their operations more sustainable."

4. How to Green Your Electronics - This guide from TreeHugger is old (2007), but the concepts (such as reducing vampire power and extending the life of your gadget) are still useful.


If we're disposing:

5. E-Stewards - This is a new third-party audited certification program that identifies electronics recyclers conforming to these standards:

• No export of hazardous waste to developing countries
• No landfill or incineration
• No use of prison labor
• Protection of private data
• Protection of worker health

6. The Electronics Take Back Coalition - A coalition of organizations dedicated to greener design and more responsible recycling and disposal of e-waste. Offers tools for finding an e-waste recycler near you and for getting more involved in creating a better system.

7. Electronics take-back companies like Gazelle and You Renew are sprouting up to pay you (usually a minimal amount) for your old electronics to give them new life & keep them out of landfills.


If we're working to learn more & change systems:

8. The Story of Electronics - From Annie Leonard, this brief video outlines the impacts of our gadget habit & offers suggestions and resources for taking action. 

9. There are numerous organizations who keep tabs on the electronics industry. You can find useful and informative reports, such as Switching on to Green Electronics (2009) from Greenpeace, or this report on the "Truth Behind Electronics Sweatshops" (2011) from China Labor Watch (read the beginning parts & the executive summary to get the gist).

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