如今的电视新闻上频繁报道天气事件。这些极端的或不规律的天气事件中，很多是由气候变化导致的，或者说因气候变化而恶化的。大家已经非常熟悉关于气候变化的相关科学研究，也已经非常熟悉对抗环境变化的种种行动，但这些环境问题是何时开始出现的呢?正是这个问题促动上海宏润博源学校开设了一门新选修课，名叫环境历史课。

The news has weather events being reported more frequently. Many of these extreme or irregular weather events are due to or worsened by climate change. The science of this is largely known as are actions to combat it, but when did these environmental problems begin? This is the question that prompted a new elective offered at Shanghai Hongrun Boyuan School called Environmental History.

光脚感受大地

尽管这门课大部分时间学生还是在课堂里专注地学习，但是有些内容需要换种方法，才能让同学们更好地理解。例如上周就是如此。

While much of the time is spent in the classroom focused on learning, some lessons are better learned with an alternative approach. Such was the case last week.

这堂课从探索我们人类早期的原始祖先开始，那时候人和自然和谐共存。为了让学生们真正地接触地球，Keith Barger老师把他们带到户外校园里的一块草坪上。在那儿他带头以身作则脱掉了自己的鞋袜并效仿我们以采集狩猎方式谋生的祖先们那样光着脚在草地上行走。学生们是否愿意参与光脚走路是完全自愿的，不过所有人都参与了课堂讨论。然后keith老师和大家分享了偶尔光脚走路的益处。有证据表明光脚走路有助于减压，振奋精神，和改善睡眠。

The class began with exploring our early hominid ancestors, exploring a time when humans lived in harmony with nature. To get literally in touch with the earth, the teacher, Keith Barger, took the students outside to grassy a field on the campus. There, leading by example, he removed his shoes and socks and walked barefoot on the grass in a manner that echoed our hunter gatherer ancestors. The invitation to participate was voluntary, but all shared in the discussion. Afterwards the health benefits of taking a “barefoot break” were shared. There is evidence that walking barefoot lowers stress, elevates one’s mood, and improves sleep.

同学们积极参与这一活动，并且状态高昂地回到了教室里。

The students were engaged with this activity and took their renewed enthusiasm back to the classroom.

教师介绍

Keith Barger is from the United States and brings his passion for teaching and more than 12 years of experience in education. He holds a Masters degree in teaching as well as a Bachelors degree in both history and political science. Keith joined the SHBS team in February of this year and is teaching both US History and World Government in addition to the above mentioned elective of Environmental History. He is bilingual in Spanish and enjoys singing and accompanying himself on the ukulele.

Keith Barger 带着一腔教学热情以及12年的从教经验从美国来到中国。他持有文科硕士教学学位以及历史学和政治学双专业学士学位。他还掌握西班牙语且喜爱用尤克里里琴自弹自唱。

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