Since many Americans spend up to 80% of the day indoors, it’s no surprise that bringing nature inside is a good thing. Previous studies have shown houseplants can help clean indoor air, reduce tension, improve coping mechanisms, boost work productivity and help increase concentration and attention.

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Architecture Involution LLC (Ai3), a leading architect firm that specializes in educational design and Triumph Modular, the premier provider of temporary and permanent modular buildings have teamed up to launch the CASE 21 (Creative Academic Sustainable Environments for the 21st Century) classroom solution. CASE 21 is  a high-performance learning environment employing state-of-the-art green design, organizational layout and technology integration.

CASE 21 was conceived by Ai3 in response to the poorly designed classrooms with poor lighting, ventilation, acoustics and air quality.

Ai3 partner and co-founder Jim Jordan, who is credited with having designed the widely acclaimed Massachusetts School Building Authority Model School (Whitman-Hanson Regional High School ), has led the design charge regarding green design, sustainability, and LEED certification for the CASE 21 project.

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We would go to the grassy field, form a circle, and flow through this vinyasa each morning. On rainy days, we modified this practice in the classroom. I’ve recently come across several articles about yoga in the classroom and the benefits to children.

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• Fair Trade fundraising. With many different options and rewards, it’s easy to make the switch to selling a sweeter chocolate.
• Raise awareness and funds with a Fair Trade bake sale. Check out the many delicious recipes at Equal Exchange, Divine Chocolate, Transfair or the Fair Trade Cookbook.
• Form a Fair Trade group with other students, teachers and parents.
• Present the Fair Trade movement to others, either peers or younger classes. Check out the this Fair Trade powerpoint for an introduction.
• Teach Fair Trade. Global Dimension has 56 different resources for helping students understand Fair Trade, with age groups ranging from 5-7 years, 7-11 years, 11-14 years and 16 and up. Most resources are free or cost a small amount, and the topics are varied and interesting. Traidcraft also has lesson plans for various age levels and subjects.
• For primary schools check out the free ‘Make your School Fair Trade Friendly‘ pack, which includes seven different activity sections.
• Have a Fair Trade stall at your next school event. Here are some tips to help in your success. Spark some tastebuds with samples of coffee, tea or chocolate and feed, them information while they enjoy.
• Play Sweet Injustice: the chocolate game. With 6 volunteers, you can visually drive home the reality of the tiny portion of chocolate profits that actually ends up in the farmer’s hands through traditional trade.
• Play fair! Get your school to switch their footballs, soccer balls and volleyballs to those sold by Fair Trade Sports. Play an intramural game with information for spectators and players.
• Host a Fair Trade fashion show to demonstrate how "beautiful" and "trendy" can still be ethical.
• Check to see if your school has a United Students for Fair Trade (USFT) group. If not, start one!
• Have your school group become one of the Co-op America’s Fair Trade Alliance members, with a pledge to
  • Serve Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, tea, cocoa/chocolate, and other certified products as available for meetings and gatherings.
  • When possible, purchase commodities or crafts from members of the Fair Trade Federation.
  • Educate co-workers, community members, classmates, and others about Fair Trade.
  • Promote Fair Trade through events or other activities whenever possible.
• Help others each time you get dressed with an alternative Fair Trade school uniform.
• Host a discussion. Check with local Fair Trade businesses and teachers to bring in a speaker, or hold an open discussion with your teachers, peers and parents.
• Host a screening of a Fair Trade movie, such as Black Gold, and hold a discussion afterwards.
• Make some Big Noise with a Fair Trade campaign and OxFam’s toolkit.
• Give the students and teachers a chance to give twice this holiday season by hosting a Fair Trade holiday sale with the help of Ten Thousand Villages or A Greater Gift.

Perhaps the only thing more important than making sustainability important in your own life is making sure it's important to your kids.

It took decades to create a culture of waste and conspicuous consumption. It will probably take decades to swing it back — which means our jobs aren't done until our kids see learning to tread more lightly upon the Earth as their own cause.

That process starts at home. But it also has to happen at school.

So what can you do to make sure schools are helping to equip the next generation for the ecological challenges they face? Get involved. And do what you can to insure that the traditional Three Rs — Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic — make a little room for "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle."

Join your PTA

Your school's PTA is your best opportunity to talk directly with teachers about what actually happens in the classroom. Most teachers are thrilled to have parental participation. Jump in, and you'll find how influential active parents can be.
Find out if your child's classroom encourages recycling. There's a ton of paper that goes to waste at most schools. Ask if you can place a couple of recycling bins for kids to drop their recyclable waste. Good lifetime habits get established early.

You'll also have the opportunity to ask teachers about how Sustainability issues are being taught. Is there sufficient emphasis on Earth Sciences? Are kids being instructed on the resource and environmental challenges which they'll face as adults? While global warming may be a political hot potato in some areas, there are plenty of solid, non-controversial teaching materials that will help your kids better understand the world around them.

In short, let your child's teacher know what you find important, and make yourself available to give it legs.

Help organize a school sustainability fair

A lot of schools make a big deal of Earth Day. Participate! Earth Day is a fun opportunity to get kids thinking about the environment and what they can do about it.

In some cases, you may be able to suggest a school Sustainability Day. This can happen anytime during the year: an event demonstrating recycling techniques, environmental science, and the importance of community action.

Work your professional connections and see if local businesses might be interested in underwriting or participating in a Sustainability Fair. It's an opportunity for them to tell their story, and a chance to bring resources to bear on stretched classroom budgets.

Use the school bus system

In the United States, at least, most kids get dropped off at school by their parent. Older kids start driving in High School. And we wonder why public transportation is in such poor shape in the States.

Put your kids on the bus, if it's available. It's more than just saving at the pump each week: you're teaching children about mass transit. And let them help you figure out the bus schedules. It's a skill they'll need as adults.

Talk to the school board

School Board meetings are usually public, and most make time for public questions. Here are a few: how is the school district working to make classrooms more energy efficient? Are new structures following LEED guidelines for green construction? What's the plan for upgrading the fleet mileage of your district's school buses?

A lot of districts will have great answers. Others may still be grappling with the idea of greening their operations. Step up to the microphone and find out.

If you have special professional skills in these areas, make them available. It really doesn't matter if you've a kid in public or private school — it's all about improving local communities.

Don't ignore the little things

If it's close enough and fits your schedule, walk your kids to school. The cars idling wastefully in the pickup line only drove a few blocks to get there. Put some shoe leather to your belief in saving energy.

Schools dispose of tons of garbage every month. If your kids take their lunch to school — which may be better nutrition than what they can buy — send it in reusable containers. Remember the lunch box? No need to waste paper sacks. Prefer resealable containers to plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Forget those wasteful little boxed drinks: buy a shatterproof thermos. Insist that any leftover waste comes home for composting or recycling.