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Our
environment
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Grade
Level: 2-3
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Overview
Our world is in danger. Pollution of the air, water, and land is rampant,
overwhelming the delicate balance of nature of the planet. Many species
of plants and animals face extinction at an alarming rate. Until all of
the peoples of the world are educated and informed, this destruction will
continue.
Purpose
Because children are the leaders of tomorrow, educating them
today to become responsible users and protectors of their environment,
will result in a more positive future for our planet.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
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i. Present through discussion, a
general overview of the world's environmental dilemas |
ii. Discuss the conditions that led
to the endangerment of Ten species |
iii.Identify five concrete steps
which can be taken to improve their environment |
iv.Undertake a project which will
improve their environment |
v. Present their project to a class in a creative and imaginative way.
Resources/Materials
No special materials are required.
Activities
and Procedures
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Introduction: |
Teacher will read the poem by Shel
Silverstein, "Sara Jane Amanda Stout Wouldn't Take the Garbage Out", or
another poem about the earth and the environment. The class will then discuss
the implications of the poem, the mounting garbage, and move the discussion
toward the concept of disposal of the garbage. The class will then discuss
the idea of all people in the world's garbage and its' size and volume.
Students will then have a variety of activities to teach them about the
plight of our environment: |
i. Collect the garbage cans from
different classrooms. Categorize and graph it. The class will then calculate
the weekly, monthly and yearly volume of each type of material, i.e., newsprint,
copier paper, construction paper, etc. |
ii. Students will collect newspaper
and magazine articles and share them with the class. The class will then
make posters about the different issues of the environment, using the articles
and making their own illustrations and lettering. |
iii. 100 Simple Things You Can Do
To Save The Earth will be read by the teacher to the students if available,
if not the students may make a list of all things they do that are friendly
for the earth. |
iv. The class will take a field trip
to a recycling center or the market to see recycled goods. |
v. The class will learn the songs
and put on a play about the earth. |
vi. The student will learn about
the endangered species. Students will be divided into teams to create a
board game for a selected endangered species. |
vii. Students will make signs for each classroom in the building to remind
them to turn out the lights and turn off the water when not in use. Recycled
paper will be used.
Tying
it all together During the entire period of the unit, students
will be encouraged to write down the problems that are identified on a
chart posted on the door. As the unit evolves, the list will grow. For
the culminating activity, groups of four students will select one of the
problems from the list and brainstorm many and varied solutions. The group
will then decide which solution will be the most appropriate for their
group to work on. The group will plan the steps that need to be taken
to achieve the best results and implement their plan. The group will then
present their project to the class in a creative manner.
Assessment
Let the students score the classrooms in the school for environmental
sanitation.
Suggestions/Modifications
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- The teacher may create alternative activities based on the local
recycling that takes place in the community.
- Students should be able to compare the amount of garbage produced
from country to country through research or estimation.
- Children may write stories about what the environment would be like
without pollution. References Earth Day 1990, 1991 Packets.
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Author(s)
Michelle Fawson; Bennion Elementary, Sandy, Utah |
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