Penguins on Thin Ice is an eclectic web site put together by the non-profit organization, Irthlingz Arts Based Environmental Education and offers a musical review about climate change. This musical revue consists of a compilation of songs and scripts designed for student performances at grade 8-12 levels. Along with a complete script and mp3s files from the show, the site offers tips on staging and productions techniques. As well, downloadable feedback forms for both performers and audience members are provided. Other information on the site includes in-depth writings on sustainable energy and development, rainforests and other threatened habitats as well as "Just Transition", a labour practice that proposes "green" training for workers left unemployed after a shut down of unsustainable work. The site also includes a video performance of the musical by students of the High School for Environmental Studies in New York, for delegates to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, May 4, 2007.
There is a fee for producing Penguins on Ice but terms are generous as the Irthingz foundation wants to see this play and its others (found under the "Earthlingz Projects" link) used extensively in environmental education.
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
Principle | Rating | Explanation |
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Consideration of Alternative Perspectives | Satisfactory |
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Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
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Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions | Good |
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Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions: Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.
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Respects Complexity | Satisfactory |
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Respects Complexity: The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected. | ||
Acting on Learning | Satisfactory | |
Acting on Learning: Learning moves from understanding issues to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community, or for the planet
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Values Education | Poor/Not considered |
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Values Education: Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values. | ||
Empathy & Respect for Humans | Poor/Not considered |
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Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.). | ||
Personal Affinity with Earth | Poor/Not considered |
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Personal Affinity with Earth: Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.
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Locally-Focused Learning | Good |
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Locally-Focused Learning: Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community.
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Past, Present & Future | Good |
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Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future. |
Principle | Rating | Explanation |
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Open-Ended Instruction | Satisfactory |
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Open-Ended Instruction
: Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer. | ||
Integrated Learning | Good |
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Integrated Learning: Learning brings together content and skills from more than one subject area
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Inquiry Learning | Poor/Not considered |
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Inquiry Learning: Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.
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Differentiated Instruction | Very Good |
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Differentiated Instruction: Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.
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Experiential Learning | Very Good |
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Experiential Learning: Authentic learning experiences are provided
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Cooperative Learning | Very Good |
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Cooperative Learning: Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.
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Assessment & Evaluation | Good |
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Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc. | ||
Peer Teaching | Very Good | |
Peer Teaching: Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.
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Case Studies | Good |
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Case Studies: Relevant case studies are included. Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore concepts in an authentic context. | ||
Locus of Control | Good |
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Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue. |