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Green City

How one community survived a tornado and rebuilt for a sustainable future

Elementary

Description

This appealing picture book introduces children to the concept of sustainable communities.  Based on actual events, the young narrator leads students on a tour of Greensburg, Kansas before and after a devastating tornado.  As a new town emerges from the rubble there is a clear message that sustainability begins at home and we can all make small changes that ensure a better future for our planet.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This story offers a great introduction to sustainability concepts like renewable resources and alternative energy technologies.  The book also supports science outcomes related to weather and environmental issues.

An interesting aspect of the book is that there is an accompanying website with photo galleries of the rebuilding process in Greensburg.  The website highlights community involvement with activities that can easily become the basis of school action projects.  A class could develop and present a plan to education officials to reduce energy use in the school building through simple changes like using LED lightbulbs.  Community partnerships could also involve students in local conservation projects such as building rain gardens to reduce flooding.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Matter and Energy: Understandings of the physical world are deepened through investigating matter and energy.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active citizenship contributes to the vitality of communities that can promote pluralism among diverse people in a democratic society
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active citizenship contributes to the vitality of communities that can promote pluralism among diverse people in a democratic society
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Matter and Energy Understandings of the physical world are deepened through investigating matter and energy
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active citizenship contributes to the vitality of communities that can promote pluralism among diverse people in a democratic society
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active citizenship contributes to the vitality of communities that can promote pluralism among diverse people in a democratic society.
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Local Communities:: We shape the local environment, and the local environment shapes who we are and how we live.
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Thermal energy can be produced and transferred.
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4:Energy can be transformed
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 3
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Communities of the World: Communities of the World
  • New Brunswick
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    • Grade 1
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Learning and Living Sustainably
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy and Control: Energy in our Lives
    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy and Control: Energy from Wind and Moving Water
    • Grade 3
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      • Social Studies
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        • Communities of the World: Communities of the World
    • Grade 4
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4:Energy can be transformed
  • Nova Scotia
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    • Grade 2
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 2:Environments
  • Nunavut
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    • Grade 2
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy and Control: Energy from Wind and Moving Water
    • Grade 3
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Connecting With the World: Global Connections
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Grade 2
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Change: Environment
  • Saskatchewan
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    • Grade 3
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Community Comparisons: Resources and Welath
    • Grade 4
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Saskatchewan: Dynamic Relations
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Local Communities:: We shape the local environment, and the local environment shapes who we are and how we live.
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Thermal energy can be produced and transferred.

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Community-Building and Participation

Energy (1)

  • Alternative Energy

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Sustainable Urbanization