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Extend the Earth Day Learning With "The Wump World"
By using the book "The Wump World," students can discuss environmental issues and extend the Earth Day experience.
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Fishing for Solutions
Learners investigate the many ecological and economic issues related to over fishing the world's marine resources. Working in committees, students research the related topics of equipment and fishing techniques.
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The Copper Basin Problem
Students view a video about how human actions impact the environment. They design a set of experiments to address some of the problems and issues raised by the video.
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Small Actions with Big Purpose
Seventh graders examine the trait of perseverance. In this character education lesson, 7th graders discuss community causes they care about and make plans to contribute their time and energy to overcome their personally-selected issues.
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Investigative Case: The Nancy Creek Challenge
Young scholars examine a case study of fish kill in Nancy Creek and identify the environmental conditions that favor life in a fresh water ecosystem. They work in small groups to assess the situation and gather resources from various...
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World in the Balance
Young scholars make estimates on how many people they believe live on Earth. While watching a video, they take notes on the issues facing Kenya, Japan and India. In groups, they calculate how long it takes for a country to double in...
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Endangered Species
Young scholars explore the issue of endangered species. They read a summary sheet and case history handout, complete a summary form, define key vocabulary terms, and participate in a class discussion.
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Cycling Through Controversy
Students research different perspectives and debate environmental issues. They consider different viewpoints when proposing solutions.
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Solid Waste
Students examine how to use their vocabulary, writing skills, and creative thinking to address environmental concerns in this unit. They write messages to using creative writing to address the issues of solid waste and recycling.
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Exploring Ecology
Students explore the basics of ecology. They discuss ecological succession, the water cycle and human impacts on the environment. Students explore the owls, succession, the human impact on the environment and complete the "Incredible...
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Fitting Trash into Yesterday: A Fifth Grade Activity
Fifth graders explore the concept of waste management. In this recycling lesson, 5th graders discover the history of waste management and discuss how the U.S. should respond to the issue of ever-increasing waste.
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And Justice for All?
Students explore the history of the environmental justice movement. They examine how discrimination promotes environmental illness in low income communities. Students explain why minority and low income groups have less economic and...
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Language Arts: Investigating Issues That Matter
Learners are able to become more informed about the dangers of water contamination by sharing their prior knowledge with each other. They discover the importance of communicating these dangers to the public.
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How Does Preserving Wilderness Enhance Forestry
Students identify events of the environmental movement in the United States. For this environment lesson students study Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, who had a great impact on the environmental movement.
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Trash Goes To School
Students explore solid waste background information. They are presented with a well balanced picture. Students review ideas on how to use solid waste issues in many fields including math, science, English, social studies and home...
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Stakeholder Debate: Ethics and Lead
Young scholars work in teams to develop a presentation and handout representing a particular point of view in a Lead Debate. They synthesize their varied knowledge of lead and its issues, organize this knowledge, and present it...
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Lead Awareness: What Everyone Needs to Know
Students are provided with a general overview of the issues around lead poisoning in order to become more aware of the danger and effects it has on the human body, as well as how to treat and prevent the disease. They explore basic laws...
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Rainforests of Madagascar: Role Playing and Decision Making
Students examine reasons for deforestation and become familiar with Madagascar and its culture, while describing biological and abiotic components of a rainforest, and looking at aspects that must be addressed to resolve the issue of...
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Positively Paper
Students discover that all paper is recycled the same way, and that some paper requires complex chemical treatments before it can be made into usable recycled paper. They see that we must choose what kinds of paper minimize environmental...
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Science Under Control
Students investigate and assess scientific issues for which government regulation has been or might be enacted. Using their research, students write letters to lawmakers supporting or contesting related legislative efforts.
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The Ozone Layer
Young scholars examine the issue of ozone depletion. They define key vocabulary terms, take a pre-quiz, discuss the quiz questions and answers, read an article, and answer discussion questions.
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Saved by the Law
Students explain the legislative efforts of local or state governments on their city's air quality issues to their classmates as responses to peer-created scenarios. They determine that change is possible with the cooperation and...
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Integrated Solid Waste Management
Students examine the EPA's approach to integrated solid waste management. They read about source reduction, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy incineration, and land filling, and create symbols for each of the aspects of solid waste...