Creative+Eco-Writing

story building template

Environment problems have scientific and legal dimensions, and often call for fundamental changes in the way people think and behave. In EcoEd’s structure that moves **From Science to Creative Eco-Writing**, students explore the scientific and legal dimensions of an environmental problem, then move on to creative writing intended to imprint their readers’ imaginations, encouraging new habits of thinking and acting. Students learn different dimensions of an environmental problem (how ground level ozone is created, measured, impacts human health, and is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for example) then move through a mulit-stage process to develop a setting, characters, plot and illustrations for their stories. This structure thus links science, civics, literacy and arts education.

An array of topics can be addressed through this learning structure. We have developed supporting material on the topics of waste/garbage, and on air and water pollution.

In this EcoEd structure, students move through the following steps:
 * Learn to think through and habitually use EcoEd's template for mapping complex causation.
 * Read articles, watch short films and do science experiments to learn about the many dimensions of a particular environmental problem.
 * Move through a multi-step process to develop a fictional story that shows readers the consequences of not dealing with an environmental problem, or ways positive environmental change can be achieved.
 * Present their stories (on screen, ideally).

= = =FLOW (in 4 90-minute sessions)= Session I: Teach about a particular problem (air pollution, for example), and introduce frame for understanding complex causation.
 * 1) Introductions in big group, then small groups. Go together to hear story -- like Michael Bird Boy below, or Why the Sky is Far Away.
 * 2) Listen to story then map onto template for complex causation.
 * 3) Centers: acid rain, pollution/energy equation, etc., mapping air pollution in Albany/Beijing. Also leave bulletin board with complex causation behind.

Session 2:
 * 1) Return to template of complex causation.
 * 2) More content
 * 9:20 story mapping
 * 9:30 story building
 * 9:45 story board

Session 3: 4. Student presentations.
 * 10:00 story draft
 * 10:15 final story

=RESOURCES=







(with consequences and lesson -- no solution)

(final: 12 frames with solutions)

(12 blank frames with cover page)