Jennifer Seda: Stewarding Rivers and Community in the Bronx

Positives

• Visuals of animals and nature are shown as Ms. Seda describes her passions and life experiences.
• Community service is portrayed in many different ways, and always as a positive element for citizens of all ages.
• Detailed discussion questions are included, as well as several links to provide more information about climate solutions. 
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Being alone during the pandemic is mentioned, so teachers should be prepared for student discussions of their experiences during that time. 
• Ms. Seda mentions being a vegan, so students may wish to discuss that lifestyle and what foods are avoided.
• Students should be introduced to the concept of "stewarding" before viewing.
  

Differentiation

• Gardening is a major part of the video, so science teachers might use this information as a first step in planning a class garden. 
• Community advocacy at the federal, state, and city levels is mentioned, so social studies teachers can have students watch the video, and then research civic issues at the local level.
• Ms. Seda compares meeting like-minded people to a comfort blanket. English teachers can use the video as the starting point for a creative writing exercise about metaphorical comfort blankets. 
• Another expanded lesson generated from the video is the concept of changing the narrative, especially a narrative surrounding a place or a neighborhood.
• Guidance counselors can show this video as a discussion starter regarding community service projects at the school level or for career conversations.
• This video is one of a larger documentary project highlighting climate heroes, so teachers can create small-group research projects with the set of videos.