English: Environmental Justice Awareness and a Clean Energy Future

Lesson Title: Environmental Justice Awareness and a Clean Energy Future

Lesson Authors: Paul Wapnowski

Audience/Course: English 10 – ERWC 12

Time/Duration:

Context:

ELA 9-10 Production and Distribution of Writing:
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
- Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Speaking and Listening:
- Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
Reading Literature:
- Identify the impact of language, including literary devices, on the author’s work.
ELA 11-12:
- Analyze how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text, which can include the use of poetic devices.

Goals and Objectives

The goal is to foster local environmental justice awareness while providing an enrichment opportunity to show mastery in utilizing literary devices via spoken word.

Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Resiliency Focus

Clean Energy Choices (Post Spoken Word Discussion – Living Green) – Sustainable Living Tips | Conservation International

Clean Energy Workforce Connections

Sweetwater High Career Training – Port of San Diego

Climate Change/Climate Justice Connections

Using the CHELA map feature and potentially the City of San Diego Climate Equity Index (Revised 2021) , (or comparable tool) targeting air pollution(preferred), or another category, students will understand how their community is impacted by industry, specifically portside industry.

CHELA

Overview: Diesel Exhaust & Health | California Air Resources Board

Diesel Particulate Matter – OEHHA

Evidence of Student Learning (assessments)

Students will create and perform a spoken word poem that addresses the theme of environmental justice. The poem should explore how environmental issues—like pollution, land use, desperate health outcomes—impact community/communities, especially marginalized or underserved groups.

Literary Devices: What are Literary Devices?

Spoken Word Examples: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-_TjVvyCrNZg_My_4yPan8tgX6IEk27o&si=o75yh1e7WeCeEv_3

Spoken Word Instructions/Overview: How to write a spoken word poem

Model Poem: My City

Model Reel(s): https://youtube.com/shorts/qHFGziIBgI0?feature=share

Instructions for Learning Activities

1. Open lesson with an overview of the Post-Neoliberal CTE/Human Capital Model (Ryan Lundell)

Neoliberalism: The story of a big economic bust up | A-Z of ISMs Episode 14 – BBC Ideas

2. Transition from overview above into a discussion of the environmental justice areas of concern in National City and an overview of the project.

3. Sustainable Living Tips/Clean Energy Jobs (Port Authority)

4. Introduce the online tools that highlight the impact of industry on the community.

5. Go over spoken word poetry.