Environment

Garbage and Recycling: An Engaged Learning Unit: Grades 4-8

Created by Melissa Gross and Barbara King

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/more/project_outline.htm

A Global Map of Human Impacts to Marine Ecosystems

http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/GlobalMarine

Many people may wonder what happens in the vast stretches of the world's oceans. For some, it is simply a matter of "out of sight, out of mind". Fortunately that is not the attitude at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara. For one of their latest projects, they decided to estimate and visualize the global impact humans are having on the ocean's ecosystems. Visitors to the site can view the map, learn about the methodology used to create the map, and also read about their datasets. Their findings were also recently reported in Science magazine, and users can view supplementary findings which appeared in that piece. As it stands, this map provides "critical information for evaluating where certain activities can continue with little effect on the oceans, where other activities might need to be stopped or moved to less sensitive areas, and where to focus efforts on protecting the last pristine areas."

From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Planet Slayer
http://www.abc.net.au/science/planetslayer/
Planet Slayer is an easy to read, science friendly site to answer questions
about greenhouse gases. Planet Slayer is from the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation and Film Victoria, and is 'the world's first irreverent
environmental website'. The website is interactive and aims to educate
students about the way the environment is affected by the way we live and
what we buy.

The Water Cycle and Global Warming [pdf]

http://www.bioedonline.org/lessons/water-cycle.cfm
The Baylor University College of Medicine continues to work at a furious pace on their delightful BioEd Online site, and educators everywhere love them for their work and dedication. Recently, they placed this “ready-to-go” lessson on the water cycle and global warming online, and it’s a true delight. As with the other lessons in this series, the materials here include a brief description of the lesson’s objective, along with information on the intended audience, the materials required to complete the lesson, and so on. Teachers will note that they will need to download a slide set, several activity sheets, and a “State of the Climate Report” offered from the National Climatic Data Center

From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2007. http://scout.wisc.edu/

Ecological Footprints: Calculators
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/calculators/
Victoria's Environment Protection Authority has produced a fascinating interactive resource that students and staff can use to measure 'how much nature we have, how much we use, and who uses it. It shows us how much biologically productive land and water a population (an individual, an organisation, a city, a country, or all of humanity) requires supporting current levels of consumption and waste production, using prevailing technology.'

Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/
The organisation responsible for this site is a leading New Zealand environmental research agency. Of particular interest to teachers are the education pages that focus on animal conservation, animal pests, native plants, satellite imagery and maps, fungi and pest plants.

Planet Slayer

Planet Slayer
http://abc.net.au/science/planetslayer/
Planet Slayer from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Film Victoria
is 'the world's first irreverent environmental website'. It's an interactive
website that demonstrates how the environment is affected by the way we live
and what we buy.

EcoKids!
www.ecokidsonline.com/pub/index.cfm
Contemporary environmental information is presented on this long-running website. Students are encouraged to increase their environmental knowledge via interactive games and activities. A section of the website is aimed at teachers and parents.

Ecokids Games

There are some great games that will get your head wrapped around the challenge of climate change.

Primary Schools Teachers

eERL's mission is to be the best possible online collection of environmental and sustainability resources for community college educators and for their students

What's Up With the Weather?

   This site examines "the science and politics of one of the most
   controversial issues of the 21st century: the truth about global
   warming." Topics include fossil fuel consumption, the role ice
   cores play in the global environment, and predictions for "what
   would happen to the world's coastlines if the West Antarctic Ice
   Sheet melted." Includes a teacher's guide and a FAQ. A production
   of Nova and Frontline, programs produced by the Public
   Broadcasting Service (PBS).

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/warming/

Environmental News Network
http://www.enn.com/
Daily coverage of environmental news, plus a searchable archive, radio, video and podcast programs, a forum and photo gallery. Though it's not obvious from the front page, there are RSS feeds; click on ENN Weekly and you'll see the details. Other ENN channels track Sustainable Economy, Energy, Food, Ecosystems, Water, Wildlife, Science & Technology, and Conservation.

Population and Environment - What's the Connection?
http://www.science.org.au/nova/087/087key.htm
The world's population is growing, and many scientists and
conservationists say that the natural environment is deteriorating as a
result, but the relationship between environmental problems and human
population growth is complex and not fully understood. This site from
the Australian Academy of Science explores trends in world population
and compares with the Australian population.

Celebrate Earth Day - Every Day
This site provides numerous ideas for youngsters celebrating Earth day, celebrated every April 22. Included are online games, coloring activities, clip art, word searches, language and science activities, and much more.

http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/earthday/

Environmental Paper Network

Web site for a "group of environmental organizations joined together to support socially and environmentally sustainable transformations within the pulp and paper industry." Features fact sheets, statistics, reports, and other material on responsible fiber sourcing and endangered forests, recycled paper, and clean production technologies (such as chlorine-free bleaching and pulping) to reduce pollution. Includes a glossary and links to related organizations.

http://www.environmentalpaper.org

Power Up
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/tools.cfm?DocID=88&Grade=6-8
As students choose their types of power they want to use, they will learn how much power the plant provides, how much it costs, and the effect it could have on the environment.

Indestructibles
http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/indestructibles/
A convenient carrier or a marine killer? Heather Catchpole takes a loo at why plastic bags should no longer be tossed out with the garbag Plastic bags are handed out free each week in Australia by the millions. They are cheap to make, lightweight, waterproof and convenient. But the flipside of this convenience is that plastic bags are practically
indestructible. And the number that ends up in the environment each year is growing.

Spaceship Earth
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=295
Students develop an understanding of our planet as a system by designing a space mission in which the life-support system is patterned after that of earth.

Environment Australia Activities
http://www.deh.gov.au/education/activities/index.html
These activities and education kits will help you to learn about some of the biggest threats to our environment and what you can do to make a difference.

Adapting To The Land
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/act/adpland.html
Students will consider how the environment affects how people live, identify examples of human adaptation, and appreciate human-environment interaction.

· ECOLOGICAL CRISES

· Deforestation

· Oil Spills

· Waste Management

· Global Warming

· Pollution

AAAS Atlas of Population and Environment
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The site provides "maps and graphics that quantify and illustrate many of the issues, and text that lays out the broader links between population dynamics and the environment and places them within their historical perspective." Topics include natural resources, land use, atmosphere, waste and chemicals, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Also includes cases studies on specific regions.
Searchable. From the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

http://atlas.aaas.org/

Greenpeace
http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/
A global organisation, Greenpeace focuses on worldwide threats to our planet's biodiversity and environment.

http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/tips/docs/01804/mrss1.doc
*Linda Tate, Environmental issues unit

Calculate your Eco-footprint
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/eco-footprint/EF_calculators.asp
Contains eco-footprint calculators for households, offices, and schools. The web-based calculator is a short quiz which estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard.

LESSONS AND UNITS

The Great Kapok Tree: A Social Studies Lesson best bet
(Multi 1,2,3) tudents will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of animals, people and plants in the rainforest by participating in an ecosystem simulation.

Waste: Where Does it Come From, Where Does it Go?
(K-12) The students will identify the various waste materials generated in the school. They will describe the sequence of collection and the destination of the materials identified.
Source: Recycling Lesson Plans

Environment Unit
(Gr. 4) The unit will focus on addressing the knowledge, issues, and skills students need to understand the current condition of our environment and propose viable solutions.

We're Environmentally Friendly
(Gr. 4) students will explore environmental concerns raised in fiction: picture books, poetry, songs, and novels. These will serve as a springboard for discussion and the composition of stories, poems, and artwork.

Be Accountable for Your Environment
(Gr. 5) Complete, 24 lesson unit

What's in Your Garbage?
(Gr. 7-9) The purpose of this unit is to increase the student's awareness of the amount of garbage a person produces and to become knowledgeable about landfills.

LESSONS AND UNITS

Earth Day Song

Earth Day
(K-2) Literature, poetry & songs, activities, recipes

Earth Day Mini-Unit
(2-3) Background information, and lessons for 1-2 days

Earth Day Mini-Unit
(4-6) Background information and lessons. Uses The Great Kapok Tree and The Lorax.

Lesson Plans : The Arts : Drama

Icebreakers
Grades 4+ - Objective: To create a good group dynamic and positive classroom environment.
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8;

Environment Unit
(Gr. 4) The unit will focus on addressing the knowledge, issues, and skills students need to understand the current condition of our environment and propose viable solutions.
Grade Level(s): 3-5;

Lesson Plans : Science : Grades 6-8

We're Environmentally Friendly
(Gr. 4) students will explore environmental concerns raised in fiction: picture books, poetry, songs, and novels. These will serve as a springboard for discussion and the composition of stories, poems, and artwork.
Grade Level(s): 3-5;
- (Gr. 5) Complete, 24 lesson unit covering topics such as natural resources, recycling, water pollution, water conservation, air pollution, energy conservation and more.
  Grade Level(s): 3-5;
- Earth Day WebQuest
  TASK: Find out what your family throws in the garbage (and ends up in a landfill) and what they recycle. By using the books and exploring the web sites listed in this unit, you will be able to learn of problems with throwing to many things away. You will also learn of possible solutions to helping the Earth stay healthy.
  Grade Level(s): 3-5;

Webquest Earth Alert!-Middle and High School Science

SITES FOR KIDS

Planet Pals
Crafts, games, coloring, activities ...for learning about taking care of the planet!

Planet Protectors
Online games, puzzles, and environmental fun for kids.

Superfund for Kids
Online games, stories, and Earth Day activities.

Earth Day at KidsDomain
Clipart, coloring pages, word searches, a guide to online games, and more.

PRINTABLE PAGES

Earth Day Worksheets
Logic, math, word finds, word puzzles, and more

Earth Day Unit
Many printables, forms, graphic organizers for your lesson plans.

Happy Earth Day Activity Book
12 coloring pages and worksheets

EArth Day Unit
Many printables, forms, graphic organizers for your lesson plans.

RESOURCES

Earth Day Bags Project
The Earth Day Groceries Project is an easy, cost-free environmental awareness project that teams up youth and grocers to spread the message of Earth Day. Visit to find out how to participate!

Earth Day Online Word Search
Online game - environment-themed words: you can complete the word search, scramble the words and start again!
Grade Level(s): K-2;

CRAFTS

Paper Mache Earth
URL: http://www.planetpals.com/papermache.html

Earth Day Crafts
(Ages 2+) Fun crafts for endangered animals, clouds, mother earth

Making Paper #1
Students will learn about the process of making paper and another method of recycling through making their own paper.
Grade Level(s): K-2, 3-5;

Making Paper #2
Students will learn about the process of making paper and another method of recycling through making their own paper. - CanTeach
Grade Level(s): K-2, 3-5;

Winter Wise Tips
"This page provides seasonal tips to help you and your family find ways to reduce pollution and learn about the environment." Features resources on winter heating safety, winter air quality, energy efficiency, heating ducts, radon protection, and related topics. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
http://www.epa.gov/region03/winter/

Warmer and Sicker? Global Warming and Human Health
http://www.science.org.au/nova/081/081key.htm
Continued warming of the planet could have significant implications for human health. Coping with extreme heat waves will be just one of our concerns. This topic from 'Nova: Science in the news', a project of the Australian Academy of Science, provides resources for students to explore our possible future.

Wired to the Earth: Integrated unit
http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/tips/02083.html
In this unit students research renewable and non-renewable energy sources for use in a new city, and present their findings in a web based information report.
(Level: UP)

Coral Bleaching - Will Global Warming Kill the Reefs?
http://www.science.org.au/nova/076/076key.htm
Coral reefs are sensitive to environmental change. Recently, the frequency and distribution of coral bleaching have increased, and in 2002 the Great Barrier Reef experienced its worst case of coral bleaching on record. This website from Nova Science in the News (Australian Academy of Science) explores this topic with key text, glossary and activities for the classroom.

13. Earth and Sky [RealPlayer]
http://www.earthsky.com/

Eco-friendly house http://adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/Teachers/ecohouse/index.htm
Genetically modified crops
http://www.geocities.com/gm_crops/

Sharee Fallon
The plastic bag problem
http://education.qld.gov.au/tal/tips/02064.html

The EPA Global Warming Kids Page

www.epa.gov/globalwatming/kids/

The background to global warming, the greenhouse effect and climate change are concisely explained here in age-appropriate language. Students will discover a variety of links, activities and games. Teachers can investigate the host US EPA global warming site.

Planet Slayer

Ecokids Games

Primary Schools Teachers

Try RocketReader Kids