GreenSpot Kids program available to Central Ohio schools

Mayor Michael B. Coleman recently visited first grade students at Devonshire Elementary School to release the book, GreenSpot and the Dots.  The Mayor read the story and autographed copies of the book for students.

The story features GreenSpot, a character who embarks on a journey through Columbus to discover how to care for the earth.  Well-known local destinations are illustrated throughout the book including Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Zoo and the Scioto Mile.  Copies of the book are now available to be checked out at Columbus Public Libraries.

Children are particularly influential, Mayor Coleman said. My hope is that students will read this story and feel empowered and inspired to help their families and their neighborhoods become increasingly sustainable.

Funded with support from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, the book is just one part in a series of resources, branded GreenSpot Kids, designed to enable teachers to incorporate sustainability into classroom life. Teachers serving Columbus students are able to request these free resources by visiting the program website at www.GreenKids.Columbus.gov.

Program elements support first grade state science standards and include:

·         A classroom set of the book, GreenSpot and the Dots.

·         A website, www.GreenKids.Columbus.gov, featuring enriching activities for students.

·         A reusable accomplishment chart for students to use to track their efforts to go green.

·         Worksheets including an audio guided walking tour of green features common to all school grounds.

·         A resource guide for teachers to discover other central Ohio organizations that offer field trips, presentations and in kind assistance to classrooms learning about environmental topics including sustainability, natural resources, energy and more.

·         Classroom presentations from city sustainability experts.

This program links science standards to practical application in student’s everyday life, Patricia Price, Devonshire Elementary Principal said.  Our teachers and students are eager to participate.

The program is a new extension of the web based GreenSpot program available online at www.ColumbusGreenSpot.org.  The GreenSpot program was first released by Mayor Michael B. Coleman in 2008 with the intent to support residents in their efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  The program now boasts over 4400 members.