ClassX Video Lessons Proven Sustainable: Look To Indigenous and Resilient Cultures for Lessons on Sustainability
Welcome to an exciting exploration of how different cultures around the world teach us about living sustainably! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating resource called “Proven Sustainable,” which is all about learning from cultures that have thrived by living in harmony with nature.
The website “Proven Sustainable” is like a treasure chest filled with stories and lessons from various cultures. These cultures have been grouped into two main categories: “enduring cultures,” which are indigenous communities, and “resistant and free cultures,” which include communities from the African diaspora. These groups have unique ways of living that have helped them survive and thrive over time.
On the site, you can explore different cultures and learn about their traditions, beliefs, and practices. The site features firsthand stories and pictures that bring these cultures to life. For example, you might learn about the indigenous Japanese culture through a slide deck that includes images, quotes, and thought-provoking questions. These resources encourage you to think critically about what you’re learning.
Teachers can find valuable resources on the site, like slide decks that provide overviews of each culture. These decks include additional materials such as films and primary sources, which can be used to create lessons on topics like advocacy or activism. While the site doesn’t offer complete lesson plans, it provides a great starting point for teachers to develop their own lessons.
Learning from these cultures is important because they offer hope and inspiration for tackling global challenges like climate change. By understanding how these communities live sustainably, we can find new ways to create a positive future. This approach adds a fresh perspective to the usual scientific discussions about climate change by focusing on community and lifestyle.
You can explore this amazing resource at provensustainable.org. The site is free to use, thanks to the nonprofit organization behind it. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about different perspectives and gain insights into sustainable living.
So, if you’re curious about how people around the world live in harmony with nature, “Proven Sustainable” is the perfect place to start. Dive in and discover the wisdom of cultures that have stood the test of time!
Choose one of the cultures featured on the “Proven Sustainable” website. Research their sustainable practices and create a presentation to share with the class. Include images, quotes, and any interesting facts you discover. This will help you understand how these communities live in harmony with nature.
Participate in a class debate on the importance of learning from indigenous and resilient cultures. Prepare arguments for how these cultures can inspire modern sustainable practices. This activity will enhance your critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Write a short story or create a comic strip inspired by the sustainable practices of a culture you learned about. Share your story with the class. This activity encourages creativity and helps you internalize the concepts of sustainable living.
Create an interactive map highlighting the different cultures featured on the “Proven Sustainable” website. Include key sustainable practices and interesting facts about each culture. This will help you visualize the global impact of sustainable living.
Start a small classroom garden using sustainable practices inspired by the cultures you studied. Document the process and reflect on how these practices contribute to sustainability. This hands-on activity will give you a practical understanding of sustainable living.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello and welcome to Common Sense Education’s weekly tools introduction! I’m Chrissy, and this is Tanner. We are here every Tuesday to share a new tool that we have recently reviewed or updated, which we believe could be beneficial for your classroom.
This week, it’s Tanner’s turn. Tanner, please take it away!
The tool I’m going to discuss is similar to this shirt—it was sitting around, and I recently revisited it. I was pleasantly surprised by the results. This tool has been on my radar for about a year, and I just recently reviewed it. Don’t let the three-star rating mislead you; I think this is a very recommendable tool. Based on our rubric, we had some critiques, which you can find in the review, but I believe this is worth checking out for teachers in social studies, science, or any subject addressing global challenges, including climate change.
The site “Proven Sustainable” explores global cultures that offer lessons about resilience and sustainability. The creators of this site have compiled information on various cultures, many of which are indigenous or from the African diaspora. They categorize these cultures into “enduring cultures” (indigenous) and “resistant and free cultures” (African diaspora).
The site provides fascinating information that students can explore. Browsing these cultures and reading the informational pages can be a worthwhile learning experience. The site also features firsthand insights and accounts from people across the globe, anchored in key quotes and pictures that illustrate aspects of their cultures.
For teachers, each culture has a slide deck that offers an overview and additional resources. For example, when looking at the indigenous Japanese culture, the deck includes pictures, quotes, and follow-up slides that encourage critical thinking about the text and images. There are also extra resources, such as films and primary sources, that can extend into lessons on advocacy or activism.
I learned a lot just by exploring the various traditions and cultures represented on the site. It covers a wide range of global perspectives, which is impressive. The concept is brilliant, providing information that is often hard to find, all in one place with firsthand accounts and interviews.
However, our critique noted that these resources are not full lesson plans, and teachers may need to do some additional work to develop lessons and assessments. There seems to be potential for future growth, as they have added a conversation series with video interviews, and I hope they expand the “Take Action” section.
You can find this tool at proven sustainable.org, and everything is provided free of charge by this nonprofit organization. There are many layers to this site, offering various perspectives and resources.
What stands out to me is that for young people facing significant global challenges, this site provides hope and optimism. It highlights successful ways of living sustainably and offers inspiration for creating a more positive future. This approach complements the scientific and civic discussions often surrounding climate change by focusing on community and lifestyle.
Thank you, Tanner! Be sure to come back next Tuesday to see what we have in store. Also, visit commonsenseeducation.org for more reviews, resources, lesson plans, articles, videos, and much more. We are here to support you, and whether your school year is winding down or just beginning, you’re doing great. See you soon!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Sustainable – Capable of being maintained over the long term without harming the environment or depleting resources. – Many communities are adopting sustainable farming practices to ensure food security for future generations.
Cultures – The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. – The festival celebrated the diverse cultures of the region, showcasing music, dance, and traditional foods.
Indigenous – Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native. – Indigenous peoples often have unique knowledge about local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – The community came together to clean up the local park and plant new trees.
Climate – The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. – Scientists are studying how climate change affects weather patterns and ecosystems around the world.
Change – The act or instance of making or becoming different. – The change in government policies has led to improved conservation efforts in national parks.
Traditions – The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation. – Many families have traditions that they follow during holidays, such as preparing special meals or decorating their homes.
Beliefs – An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. – Different cultures have various beliefs about the creation of the world and the role of humans in it.
Practices – The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method, as opposed to theories about such application or use. – Sustainable practices in agriculture can help reduce environmental impact and improve soil health.
Activism – The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. – Environmental activism has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of protecting natural habitats.
