The Sustainable School - by Erica Fyvie (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A century-old time capsule inspires students to investigate how energy powered their school community in the past and predict how school life will be powered a hundred years in the future. Birch Elementary School is making some energy-efficient upgrades to its building. When workers find a mysterious metal box, it is unearthed and given to the graduating Grade 6 class udents and their teacher are captivated by the time capsule inside, filled with letters from the year 1900 from the very first graduating class. Those students marvelled over the innovations in electricity, plumbing, buildings and transportation that were changing their school, neighbourhood and lives. The current class is inspired to envision what the future brings for those same subjects, as well as the energy required to make everything happen. They decide to research these topics for their science fair and make a time capsule for students one hundred years in the future. They wonder -- what will energy look like for them?"--

Book Synopsis

A look back in time helps a sixth-grade class envision a greener, more sustainable future.

When construction at Birch Elementary uncovers a time capsule buried by the school's sixth-grade class in 1900 - the year the school was built! - Mr. Marons's current sixth-grade class is fascinated to discover letters from the students among the artifacts inside. Each of the letters describes the marvels of innovation in the new building in one of four categories - electricity, plumbing, building or transportation. These letters inspire an intriguing science assignment for the students: Come up with a prediction, related to one of the categories, for how the school will become more energy efficient by 2100!

Award-winning nonfiction author Erica Fyvie uses stories from the past to pique readers' interest in the importance of living sustainably. Her innovative cross-curricular approach combines science, technology and history, while also examining the human aspects of innovation. The four predictions presented by the students cover everything from new power sources and water conservation practices to energy-efficient construction and zero-fuel modes of transportation. Award-winning illustrator Scot Ritchie's comics-style illustrations, with sepia tones used for the scenes in 1900, provide a creative, engaging, highly visual way of exploring these topics. The book includes sidebars throughout that describe real-life examples of famous time capsules, plus tips on how to create a personal, family or classroom time capsule. A glossary, suggested resources and an index are also included.

Review Quotes

he Sustainable School ... can be used as a fabulous launching off for a myriad of science lessons on environmentalism and energy but also studies of history.--CanLit for LittleCanadians

Fantastic for elementary research projects on energy usage, as well as for a group of students putting together their own time capsule.--Youth Services Book Review

Stimulating and encouraging.--Kirkus Reviews

... reinforces the need to be aware, to make responsible choices, and for everyone to do their part in reducing the amount of waste in the environment.--CM Magazine (Praise for Trash Revolution)

... the content is both approachable and interesting, and it leaves readers with a sense of responsibility for the Earth's future.--Kirkus Reviews (Praise for Trash Revolution)

About the Author

Erica Fyvie has worked as an academic editor and writer and has written for magazines and blogs. She is also the award-winning author of the books Mad for Ads and Trash Revolution. Her books have been well received and been nominated for many awards, including the Green Earth Book Award, the Red Maple Award, the Yellow Cedar Award, the Norma Fleck Award and a Lane Anderson Award, among others. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Scot grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his parents, one brother and a string of pets, including hamsters, cats, a dog, a variety of snakes and frogs, many bugs and a tortoise named Harold. One parent was creative and the other encouraging, so Scot started drawing and painting from a very early age. Scot was lucky to go on to make a living doing what he loves. He soon added writing and has now illustrated or written over 75 books. Whenever Scot is able, he packs up his mini office and travels around the world. He often enjoys extended stays in places such as Athens, Berlin and Honolulu while continuing to work. Being an artist with a lively imagination, Scot can almost convince himself he lives there. His books have been translated into many languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Polish and Korean.