Teaching Green: The High School Years is an ideal resource for anyone working with young people in Grades 9-12, whether in schools or in non-formal educational settings. Richly illustrated, it offers teaching strategies that promote learning about natural systems and foster critical thinking about environmental issues, both local and global. It contains new approaches to learning, strategies for living sustainably, and numerous activities that promote interdisciplinary learning. In addition, the book provides suggestions for greening individual subject areas, developing integrated learning programs, and replicating exemplary programs already created by innovative schools and communities.

Containing contributions from 55 educators from across North America, the book’s strength lies in its diverse content. Topics include measuring the ecological footprint of a high school, creating an indoor “living system” that cleans water, using lichens as bio-indicators for monitoring air quality and using green technologies to help green school campuses.

The learning activities and teaching strategies in the book engage teenagers in learning the fundamentals of citizenship for the 21st century. Some provide strategies that help them learn about the ecosystems where they live, and what is needed to sustain them. Others explore what it takes to live sustainably on this planet. Some help teens recognize global disparities in resource use and their connections with other people and other species that share this planet. Finally, other articles and activities provide opportunities for young people to develop and reflect on their values. All of these elements are critically important in enabling teenagers make sense of their world.

 We have designed this book to be welcoming to those less familiar with environmental and global education. On the first page of most articles, readers will find a handy summary box that indicates the subject relevance and the key concepts. If the article includes one or more activities, the summary box also lists the skills to be developed as well as the time requirements and materials needed. The table of contents indicates which subject areas are associated with each article and at the back of the book, a glossary defines terms that may be new to some readers.

Readers will find accessible background information and suggestions for many practical projects and activities. It is sure to appeal to a wide range of teachers and other educators seeking innovative ideas for incorporating green themes into their programs.

What the reviewers are saying:

“Teaching Green: The High School Years is a treasure trove for environmental educators who want to engage teens in developing skjills and abilities to understand and constructively address today's complex issues.”
— Karen Hollweg, 2008 President of the North American Association for Environmental Education, Boulder, Colorado

“For those teaching in schools or non-formal settings, this jam-packed book is filled with practical innovative activities and ideas. I highly recommend it.”
— Constance Russell, Co-Editor, Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, and Professor, Faculty of Education, Lakehead University

“For those willing to engage students directly in authentic learning experiences, Teaching Green: The High School Years is the most stimulting, useful book that I have seen in the past 50 years.”
— William "Bill" Hammond, Professor Emeritus, Florida Gulf Coast University