Cycle of Life/Recycle Educator’s Handbook

Are you an educator who wants to teach about the emerging biological sciences… but don’t have the resources? Do you love music, and want to use it more in your classroom? Then check out the Cycle of Life/Recycle Educator’s Handbook and CD.

This project all began when producer Stephen Foster was asked how would he encourage children in schools to recycle more containers. His response: “I’d link recycling to something that the kids care about…endangered species like bears, and orcas and marmots. Lots of children cuddle a stuffed toy, and talk to it while they fall asleep. But how many take a pop can to bed?”

And so Cycle of Life/Recycle was born. The CD features songs about endangered species performed by Holly and the Voices of Nature singers—young people from schools in Vancouver, Victoria, Gatineau and Calgary.

The Handbook provides activities in science, social studies, language arts, fine arts and math, which are all linked to song lyrics. Connections are made between protecting habitat, reducing ecological footprint, and recycling beverage containers. We wanted to have an action within the power of a child—they make the choice to throw their drink box into the garbage or the recycling bin.

Sustainability is the overarching theme; our objective is to promote ecological literacy. Singing songs together inspires learning and spreads the word to the community: we can help endangered species by recycling.

Cycle of Life/Recycle comes with a handy Bookmark that is designed to help you address the “Grey Cup syndrome”…you spent Sunday watching the big game, now it’s Monday morning, and you’re scrambling to pull your lesson plan together. Here’s how we can help!

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