Positives

• The information is specific to Maine, allowing students to see local efforts and available grants in their state.
• The article is brief and easy to understand.
• Possible next steps are included to encourage students to take action.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should understand what a municipality is and how they can encourage their municipality to act.
  

Differentiation

• Have more advanced students research the grant requirements and application process and present it along with background information about why taking action is important for municipalities and communities.
• Have students read this as a bell-ringer and then ask students to write a short response to why community action to address global issues is important.
• Younger students can discuss the green transportation options available to communities and have them make posters that encourage students to walk, skate, or ride their bikes whenever possible.
• Science and engineering students learning about heat, energy transfers, and materials can discuss the energy efficiency issues of older buildings and research low-cost ways to prevent energy waste and improve insulation in buildings.