 |
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|
PAINT YOUR CLASSROOM GREEN Source of Activity: Students will examine the consequences of their actions on their watershed, identify activities that are 'good' for the environment, and keep track of their progress over time. QCC: S.8.16.3, S.8.5 Time Requirement: 1-2 periods By the end of this activity students should be able to:
Our everyday choices have an effect on the watersheds in which we live. It is often easy to forget that nature is not only the pristine habitats we may see in parks and on TV, but also the areas in which you live, work, and play. Remember, wherever you go- outside to your backyard, in your house, at your school- you are always in a watershed. The things you do everyday impact your watershed. Activity Materials:
Have the students discuss their everyday activities. What did they do from the time they woke up to the present? It may be helpful to have the students keep a log of their activities for a few days. Discuss what the students have done- eat, drink, brush their teeth, listen to music, etc.- and write them on the chalkboard. Ask the students if their actions have any impact on the environment. Some of these may be more obvious than others - some may use water inefficiently, use pollutants (i.e., detergents), create waste, etc. You may have to help them see the consequences of their actions by asking leading questions. For example, listening to music seems like it would have no relationship to the health of a watershed. However, most CDs and tapes come wrapped in plastic. What happens to the plastic? You throw it away. Where does it go when you throw it away? A landfill. What impact does a landfill have on the watershed? They often leach pollutants into groundwater or nearby streams, etc. For each activity that the students come up with, write the consequences (good or bad) on the board. Ask the students what they can do to help reduce the negative impacts they have on the environment. For the music example above, they could recycle the plastic. Generate a list of what students can do that promotes the health of their watershed. Some examples are:
A basic philosophy to minimizing negative impacts on your watershed (and the environment as a whole) is to reduce your use of natural resources (especially nonrenewable resources), reuse anything and everything you can, and recycle renewable resources. Once your students have completed their list, tell them that they will keep track of how often they follow this list throughout the semester or any time frame you choose starting with what they did today. Provide the class with green construction paper, scissors and tape. Have the students cut out leaves from the construction paper. Each time they do something they have identified as having positive consequences for the environment, they should write it on a leaf and tape it to a classroom wall. If they follow their own recommendations, your students can paint the classroom green! Assessment:
Earth's 911 Alameda County Waste Reduction and Recycling Virtual Recycling Do's and Don'ts around the House EPA Environmental Education Teacher's Page (great resources under waste and recycling curriculum and activities) |
||||||||||||
|
Visit Our Partners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
