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Classroom Earth Resource Submission Criteria

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Thank you very much for your interest in adding to Classroom Earth's Resource Library. We want the site to remain a place where the most innovative ideas come straight from the teaching field and into the library. We are looking for the best:
           


Classroom Earth seeks to offer teachers the best, most accessible resources in a wide diversity of types. Each resource in the library is selected using criteria. There are specific expectations depending on the type of resource (see below); however, all resources must:

  • Be developmentally appropriate for high school students; and
  • Use scientifically sound information and/or accurate, unbiased information.

 


Green Reading List

Books for inclusion on the Green Reading List can be fiction or non-fiction and must:

  • Have an ISBN # and be readily available for purchase;
  • Have clear links to High School courses;
  • Use accurate information to justify arguments (non-fiction);
  • Reflect recent scientific research or have clear historical value (non-fiction); and
  • Explore environmental themes, and/or character interactions with an environmental event, problem, or concern (fiction).

        
When you submit a book for inclusion on the Green Reading list, please include:

  1. Author, Title, ISBN #
  2. Brief Description
  3. Links to a specific high school course or examples of how the book has been used
  4. Your name, school or organization, and your position (i.e. English teacher, Principal)
     

Submit a book to the Green Reading List here.

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Thematic Units

Thematic Units cover a variety of content standards while focusing on one theme. Themes can also unify different courses and disciplines.  

For Classroom Earth’s purposes, a Thematic Unit description would include:

  1. The types of courses involved and content standards covered;
  2. A description of the varying applications of the theme;
  3. An estimation of the time needed to implement the theme (6 weeks, 2 months, etc.);
  4. A list of resources to research about the theme;
  5. What Web site topics and tags the Thematic Unit can link to;
  6. Your name, school or organization, and your position (i.e. English teacher, Principal); and
  7. An idea for at least one lesson plan for each course involved.
     

Submit a Thematic Unit for the Resource Library here.

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Lesson Plans/ Activities

Lesson Plans can be intended to last one or more class periods, and Activities are lessons or components of lessons. 

We're looking for Lesson Plans and Activities that:

  • Offer innovative ways of covering National or State Content Standards;
  • Include current best teaching practices (team teaching, small group learning, hands-on activities, and inquiry-based learning, and differentiation);
  • Have clear instructions for the instructor;
  • Provide examples for differentiation;
  • Require inexpensive, borrowable, or commonly school-owned materials; and
  • Can be used in multiple kinds of school environments.


If you submit a Lesson Plan or Activity you will need to identify:

  1. What Classroom Earth Web site topics and tags the Lesson Plan or Activity can link to;
  2. The subject areas that could use the Lesson Plan or Activity;
  3. Lesson or Activity objectives;
  4. The content standards covered or clearly stated content objectives;
  5. A clear procedure or plan;
  6. An Assessment plan;
  7. Lesson or Activity discussion questions or extension options;
  8. Your name, school or organization, and your position (i.e. English teacher, Principal); and
  9. Resources for more information.
     

Submit a Lesson Plan or Activity for the Resource Library here.

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Curricula

Curricula contain multiple unified lesson plans. All curricula must:

  • Identify what Classroom Earth Web site topics and tags the Lesson Plans or Activities can link to;
  • Be correlated with Local, State or National Standards;
  • Contain lessons that utilize best teaching practices (team teaching, small group learning, hands-on activities, and inquiry-based learning, and differentiation);
  • Be accessible to teachers (free or inexpensive);
  • Support teachers implementing the curricula through a Teacher’s Guide, Web site, or Training;
  • Be recommended by teachers; and
  • Reflect current scientific research and avoid bias and activist messages.


If you submit a Curriculum you will need to identify the Curriculum’s:

  1. Main topics and ideas and the connection to Classroom Earth topics;
  2. Correlation with Standards;
  3. Teacher support mechanism: Teacher’s Guide, Web site, or Training;
  4. Cost (if any);
  5. Value to teachers using examples of their implementation of the curriculum;
  6. Teaching pedagogy – how best educational practices are embodied in the curriculum; and
  7. Authors, producers, and sponsors.
     

Submit a Curriculum to the Resource Library here.

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Videos and Websites

Videos (both Web and DVD/VHS) and Web sites chosen for inclusion can offer:

  • Visual components for a lesson;
  • Up-to-date information;
  • A greater diversity of resources;


Submissions must present up to date, accurate, scientifically objective information and avoid any biases towards one particular position or point of view.   
 
If you submit a readily available Video or current Website you will need to identify:

  1. The title and source (Web site url, ISBN #, library, etc.);
  2. Discussion questions, lesson connections, or an activity corresponding to the video or Web site; and
  3. Your name, school or organization, and your position (i.e. English teacher, Principal);
     

 Submit a Video or Website to the Resource Library here.

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