Lesson 2: Who Polluted the River?
Essential Question:
How should we take care of out planet?
Focus Question:
Why is it important to reduce, reuse, and recycle? How do these actions impact our environment, wildlife, and well being?
Goal:
Students will be able to analyze the impact that reducing, reusing, and recycling have on the environment. As well as realize what happens to our environment and well being when we ignore the three R's.
NCSS Standards Addressed:
I. Culture
II. Time, Continuity, and Change
III. People, Places, and Environments
V. Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
X. Civiv Ideals and Practices
VA SOL's Addressed:
Social Studies and History
Civics
CE.4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of personal character traits that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in civic life by
a) practicing trustworthiness and honesty;
b) practicing courtesy and respect for the rights of others;
c) practicing responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance;
f) practicing decision making;
g) practicing service to the school and/or local community.
CE.3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of citizenship and the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens by
e) evaluating how civic and social duties address community needs and serve the public good.
Resources
K.10 The student will investigate and understand that materials can be reused, recycled, and conserved. Key concepts include
a) materials and objects can be used over and over again;
b) everyday materials can be recycled; and water and energy conservation at home and in school helps preserve resources for future use.
Lesson Duration:
1 Hour
Student Materials:
-Writing Utensil
Teacher Materials:
-Character name tags
-Canister labels
-Clear, gallon jar of water
-Film canisters
-Strainer or colander
-Paper towels-
-Leaves
-Soil
-Baking soda
-Shredded paper
-Fishing line or dental floss
-Coffee
-Food coloring-
-Vinegar
-Soap
-Plastic fish toy
-Who Polluted the River interactive story (can be found under teacher resources)
Procedures for Learning Activity:
Introduction:
-The teacher will review the definitions of reduce, reuse, and recycle with the students, asking students to provide examples for each.
-The teacher will then lead a class discussion about whether or not the students think they have a positive or negative impact on their environment. Have students give examples.
Instruction:
-The teacher will conduct the "Who Polluted the River?" lesson plan provided by Population Connection. -In this activity, students will participate in an interactive story and learn how, as human populations have increased and land uses have changed, many of our rivers have become polluted. This interactive story will demonstrate to the students that just as we each contribute to the problem, we can also be part of the solution.
-The teacher will discuss the story and have students reflect on what they saw happening to the river.
Assessment:
-Each students will be given two photographs, one of someone recycling, reusing, or recycling and on of a consequence of not reducing, reusing, and recycling.
-Each student will write a caption for each of their photographs. The captions need to explain what is going on in the photo and whether it is helping or harming the environment.
Teacher Resources:
pollutedriver.pdf | |
File Size: | 672 kb |
File Type: |