Excellence in 

   Environmental Education

   Guidelines for Learning (K-12)

Strand 3.2--Decision-Making and Citizenship Skills
References to Standards:
Arts 31, 34
Geography 140-141
History 23
Social Studies 57-59
Guidelines:

A) Forming and evaluating personal views--Learners are able to examine and express their own views on environmental issues.
  • Identify and express their own ideas about environmental issues and alternative ways to address them.
  • Test their views against what they know and believe, remaining open to new information and ideas.
  • Identify unanswered questions.
  • Identify, clarify, and express their own beliefs and values regarding the environment.

Civics and Government 38-39
Social Studies 73-75
B) Evaluating the need for citizen action--Learners are able to think critically about whether they believe action is needed in particular situations and whether they believe they should be involved.
  • Discuss whether citizens should take action on a particular environmental issue. Consider findings from their issue investigations such as causes of the problem and promising strategies for addressing it.
  • Identify types of citizen action appropriate for a specific issue.
  • Discuss whether and how they think they would like to be involved. Identify reasons for and against taking specific kinds of action.

Civics and Government 6
Social Studies 73-75
C) Planning and taking action--By participating in issues of their choosing-mostly close to home-they learn the basics of individual and collective action.
  • Develop action plans they can carry out individually, in small groups, or as a class. Include clear reasons and goals for action. Consider the results of their environmental issue investigation and their assessment of the need for action.
  • Set realistic goals for action and measures of success consistent with learners' abilities.
  • Decide whether their plan should be implemented immediately or at another time, changed, or abandoned; and carry through with action when appropriate.

History 23-24
Social Studies 73-75
D) Evaluating the results of actions--Learners understand that civic actions have consequences.
  • Describe the apparent effects of their own actions and actions taken by other individuals and groups.
  • Discuss some of the reasons why identifying the effects of actions may be difficult. Consider, for example, the time required to see effects, the influences of others' actions, and other changes in the situation.

 

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