| Education Newsletter: | ||
October 2013 :: The Human Cost of Stuff
|
||
|
Itching to learn about your favorite author's writing routine? Wondering what the 2013 TED Prize Winner thinks about kids learning? Explore the human cost of stuff, plus humane education lessons, an infographic on garment factories, and more in the October 2013 education newsletter. Read it here! |
||
|
|
||
|
Where do teachers get their endurance? High school teacher Aletha Fields shares what gives her strength and inspiration.
|
Resources from the Institute for Humane Education help young people become solutionaries. |
Use this photo to get your students thinking about tear gas, peaceful protests, and treasured parks. |
| In the Current Issue: | ||
The Human Cost of Stuff |
||
|
The way we make and use stuff is harming the world—and ourselves. To create a system that works, we can’t just use our purchasing power—we must turn it into citizen power.
Infographic: Busting the myth of cheap stuff. What do we trade for all of that cheap stuff we buy?
A photographer shares insights from working with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and the Dalai Lama. |
|
|
| FOR YOUR CLASSROOM | ||
Over 5,000 Articles for Research, Discussion, and Curricula—and more! |
||
|
|
 |
 |
|
Relevant and empowering curricula and lesson plans ranging from sustainability to happiness. |
Your inspiring stories direct from the classroom, or the field. |
Posters, charts, and visuals from YES! that capture student interest and learning. |
| YES! National student writing competition: | ||
|
|
 |
 |
|
Fall 2013 "From Kenya to Costco" by Simon Okelo. |
Winter 2014 "Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country" by Edward Tick. |
Spring 2014 To be determined! |
Registration is now open for the Fall 2013 Writing Competition!
Here's an opportunity that not only will push your students' writing and critical thinking, but also will meet several Common Core State Standards.
[Photo by Betty Udesen]
What Does "Enough" Mean?
This fall, students will read and respond to the YES! Magazine article, "From Kenya to Costco: The Real Value of Things," by Simon Okelo. Simon's story is about having to relearn the meaning of "enough." Simon grew up in the slums of Kisumu, Kenya, where he subsisted on basic necessities. There, he witnessed patience from families waiting for drinking water, and sold milk packets for two cents a piece to buy a pair of shorts for his school uniform. When he moved to the United States, he became an American consumer inundated by choices, until he decided to simplify his lifestyle.
Students will have plenty to think about as they write an essay of up to 700 words answering this writing prompt: Simon Okelo, who grew up in Kenya, had to relearn what "enough" means. He came to appreciate the volume of options at Costco, but practiced restraint to purchase just what he needed. Imagine that you simplified your life. What things would you choose to pare down or get rid of? What might change for you? What might change for society if other people did this?
The deadline for registration is Saturday, October 18, 2013. Essays must be submitted no later than November 22, 2013.
Teachers who submit essays will be entered into a drawing to win a complete set of 18 YES! posters for their classroom, valued at $66. See what you could win here!
Click here for competition details, complete writing prompt, and how to sign up
Spring 2013 Writing Competition Essay Winners
For Spring 2013, students read and responded to the YES! article, "A Month Without Monsanto," by April Dávila, who invited readers to think about where their food comes from. The writing prompt was: "April Dávila discovered that around 70 percent of processed foods on American supermarket shelves contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Does this concern you? What matters most to you about the food you eat?"
Congratulations to our essay winners: Middle School—Sharon Lin; High School—Erica Young; College—Ryan Barry: and Powerful Voice—Russell Chiang. And, thank you to all writers who submitted essays.
Middle School Winner Sharon Lin
Read Sharon's essay about how April Dávila inspired Sharon to adopt an organic vegan diet, and the increased energy and self-confidence she felt as a result.
High School Winner Erica Young
Read Eric's creative essay about how foods, like superheroes, should proudly display their logos to disclose their identities.
College Winner Ryan Barry
Read Ryan's essay about his concerns surrounding the health effects of GMOs, and his recommendation to follow the European Union's lead and adopt the precautionary principle.
Powerful Voice Winner Russell Chiang
Read Russell's essay about how GMOs may harm one's body, and how monopolizing companies can harm the economy.
April Dávila's Response to Essay Winners
April Dávila, a professional writer living and working in Los Angeles, and author of "A Month Without Monsanto," responds to essay winners of the Spring 2013 writing competition.
Spring 2013 Writing Competition Literary Gems
We received many powerful essays. Though not every participant can win the contest, we'd like to share some excerpts that caught our eye.
