Life Skills:

• Thinking & Reasoning
• Communication
• Social & Civic Responsibility

Time Frame:
2 class periods that run 45 minutes each.

Group Size:
Large Groups

Summary:
This lesson is an introduction to the importance of preservation and conservation of natural resources. The main emphasis is on recycling. Students will see how littering affects us and learn about how recycling can help conserve natural resources.

Materials:
One piece of large art paper for each student; crayons; internet access

Background For Teachers:
It is especially effective to conduct this lesson at the beginning of the school year when summer vacation activities are fresh in the students' minds. It is also a good way to set up a feeling of personal responsibility when using materials throughout the year (and hopefully longer).

Intended Learning Outcomes:
The learner will identify problems of today regarding natural resources, some of their causes, and possible sources of action.

Instructional Procedures:
Ask students to close their eyes and picture in their mind their favorite outdoor place. Ask them to think about what they see, what they smell, what they hear, what they touch, and how they feel when they are in that place. Now pass out the paper and ask them to draw and color a picture of that favorite place. As they finish, have students share their pictures and tell what makes their place so special. Now take the students for a short walk around the playground or schoolbuilding. Ask them to pick up any litter they see and bring it back to the classroom. Upon returning to the classroom, have them put the litter they found on their pictures. Discuss how this makes them feel. Read aloud 'Just a Dream', by Chris Van Allsburg. Discuss natural resources, renewable and non renewable. Additional background information can be found in the third grade Ecosystems (Technology) core (see the URL/Link below). Emphasize that what we do today affects the future of the earth. Have students access the internet site 'Recycle City' at this address listed below. Have students explore Recycle City and find out many ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. There is a teacher information section that gives you ideas on how to customize activities to fit your specific lesson focus. Bring the class back together and have students share things they learned. Are there any ideas on things they could implement in their homes or school? This could be the springboard to home, class or schoolwide recycling projects.

Web Sites

• Teacher Resource Book 3rd Grade Standard 2 Background
  Teacher Resource Book - Elementary Science - Background Information
• Welcome to Recycle City
  In Recycle City there's lots to do here - people and places to visit and plenty of ways to explore how the city's residents recycle, reduce, and reuse waste.

Extensions:
This internet address: http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Oddities/Environment/Recycling/ has some more activities relating to recycling and a recipe for making recycled paper.

Assessment Plan:
Have students work in small groups and list ten ways in which they can help recycle, reduce, and reuse waste in their home, school, and/or community.

Bibliography:
Van Allsburg, Chris Just a Dream (Houghton Mifflin Co., October 1, 1990)

Author:
STEVANE GODINA

Created Date :
Jul 21 1997 07:54 AM