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CITY CONNECTIONS
City Connections is an interdisciplinary urban environmental education curriculum designed for middle school level (5th-7th) students in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Urban students need to know how to get around safely, stay healthy and understand the natural and built components of their environment in order to improve and protect the places where they live. City Connections helps students develop an appreciation of the beauty and complexity of cities. By using City Connections, students gain an understanding of ecosystems through developing a familiarity with and affinity for their own neighborhoods. Students look at the basic needs of living things: food, water, shelter, and space. In addition, they learn about solid waste management, water and energy provision, food supply, housing, open space and natural areas in their own community.
City Connections Goals
Students will be able to:
- Define ecological terms and concepts as they relate to both the natural and urban environment.
- Demonstrate ability to work in a team, resolve conflict and respect the expression of diverse values.
- Document research completed through the use of the Internet, books, newspapers, television news, and information from organizations and government agencies.
- Demonstrate skills in assessing, identifying and investigating local urban environmental issues.
- Use communication skills for different mediums such as speaking in front of peers, interviewing, placing phone calls and writing letters.
- Represent local issues in interactions with the immediate community.
- Transfer knowledge to action by implementing a community project.
City Connections Lessons
Chapter 1 - Natural Ecosystems
Chapter 2 - The Twin Cities Ecosystem
Chapter 3 - Habitats
Chapter 4 - Biodiversity and The Diverse City
Chapter 5 - Taking it to the Streets: Safety, Health and Pollution
Chapter 6 - Taking Action & Issue Investigation
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