The Roof Is Growing!
The Roof Is Growing! is a classroom program developed by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) to engage and educate middle school students (grades 6-8) about green roofs and their environmental benefits. A green roof is a roof substantially covered with vegetation.
Using an interactive program and a workbook, students gather facts about green roofs. Then, they apply their knowledge by preparing a case for building a green roof on the Frederick Olmsted school auditorium.
Green Roof Education Components
The Green Roof is Growing! program components are:
Teacher's Guide: A downloadable, print resource to assist teachers with program implementation.
Website: An interactive program that allows students to gather information about green roofs and their environmental benefits. Students can also learn about career opportunities in landscape architecture.
Student Workbook: A downloadable, print workbook that directs students through the Green Roof web component and associated activities.
Field Trip: If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, consider making a field trip to see the green roof on ASLA's headquarters. Sign up for a field trip!
Academic Standards
The Green Roof Is Growing! program is based on Grade Level 6-8 mathematics, science, and geography national standards and benchmarks created by the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL).
Learn more about the Academic Standards and related Benchmarks.
More Classroom Activities
Get information about the environmental benefits of green roofs and suggested classroom activities.
Academic Standards
"The Roof Is Growing!" lesson design is based on relevant academic standards for Grade Levels 6 to 8 created by the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL). Local academic standards can be matched to these national standards.
Mathematics Standard 4: Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of measurement
- Benchmark: Understands the relationships among linear dimensions, area, and volume and the corresponding uses of units, square units, and cubic units of measure
- Benchmark: Solves problems involving units of measurement and converts answers to a larger or smaller unit within the same system (i.e., standard or metric)
- Benchmark: Understands the concepts of precision and significant digits as they relate to measurement (e.g., how units indicate precision)
- Benchmark: Selects and uses appropriate units and tools, depending on degree of accuracy required, to find measurements for real-world problems
- Benchmark: Understands formulas for finding measures (e.g., area, volume, surface area)
- Benchmark: Selects and uses appropriate estimation techniques (e.g., overestimate, underestimate, range of estimates) to solve real-world problems
Geography Standard 14: Understands how human actions modify the physical environment
- Benchmark: Understands the environmental consequences of people changing the physical environment (e.g., the effects of ozone depletion, climate change, deforestation, land degradation, soil salinization and acidification, ocean pollution, groundwater-quality decline, using natural wetlands for recreational and housing development)
Geography Standard 18: Understands global development and environmental issues
- Benchmark: Knows how the quality of environments in large cities can be improved (e.g., greenways, transportation corridors, pedestrian walkways, bicycle lanes)
Science Standard 6: Understands the nature of scientific inquiry
- Benchmark: Uses appropriate tools (including computer hardware and software) and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret scientific data
- Benchmark: Establishes relationships based on evidence and logical argument (e.g., provides causes for effects)
- Benchmark: Knows that scientific inquiry includes evaluating results of scientific investigations, experiments, observations, theoretical and mathematical models, and explanations proposed by other scientists (e.g., reviewing experimental procedures, examining evidence, identifying faulty reasoning, identifying statements that go beyond the evidence, suggesting alternative explanations)
- Benchmark: Knows possible outcomes of scientific investigations (e.g., some may result in new ideas and phenomena for study; some may generate new methods or procedures for an investigation; some may result in the development of new technologies to improve the collection of data; some may lead to new investigations)
Art Standard 1: Understands connections among the various art forms and other disciplines
- Benchmark: Knows how various concepts and principles are used in the arts and disciplines outside the arts (e.g. balance, shape, pattern)
Activities
Use these suggested ASLA educational materials to complement "The Roof Is Growing!" lessons:
Cool Cities
- Urban Forests = Cleaner, Cooler Air
Watch an animation that explains how urban forests fight air pollution and the urban heat island effect. See how cities can add in millions of trees, while ensuring the trees themselves live long, healthy lives. Explore additional educational resources. Source: ASLA - The Urban Heat Island Effect
Students learn about urban heat islands, the effects of urban surfaces on urban heat islands, and effects of urban heat islands on energy consumption and air quality. Source: National Geographic Education
Manage Stormwater
- Leveraging the Landscape to Manage Water
Watch an animation that explains how green infrastructure systems effectively manage stormwater. See how green roofs, bioretention systems, and permeable pavements actually work. Explore related educational resources. Source: ASLA - No More Pavement! The Problem of Impervious Surfaces
Students can learn about how to reduce the urban heat island effect with green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavements, and more. Source: Columbia University Earth Institute - Watershed Workbook
The National Park Service created this workbook of science activities to teach students about watersheds and the causes of water pollution. The activities guide students to become environmental stewards and encourage them to take active roles in protecting our watersheds. Source: National Park Service
Clean the Air
- Urban Forests = Cleaner, Cooler Air
Watch an animation that explains how urban forests fight air pollution and the urban heat island effect. See how cities can add in millions of trees, while ensuring the trees themselves live long, healthy lives. Explore additional educational resources. Source: ASLA
Build Habitat
- Designing Neighborhoods for People and Wildlife
Watch an animation that explains how to transform your property into a real wildlife habitat. Learn how native plants and designed structures provide what nature needs. Explore related educational resources. Source: ASLA
The ASLA Green Roof Education Program is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a generous contribution from the landscape architecture firm Lewis Scully Gionet, Inc.
Sponsored by ASLA | © 2016