Author:
Christine Osei-TuTu, (2001-2002 New Jersey Mentoring and Modeling:
Technology Fellowship Recipient) Lakeside Middle School, Millville,
New Jersey
Date: September 21, 2001 Time: Three class periods for grades
5- 8 (depending on the technology/level skills of the class) Grades
1-4 Activity is a unit and can be ongoing.
Grade Level(s): Can be adapted for all grade levels
Subject(s): Science/Environmental Education/Technology/
Language Arts/Math
OVERVIEW: Pollution of the air, water, and land is increasing
daily. We are overwhelming the natural balance of nature with our
thoughtless and careless actions. Many species of plants and animals
face extinction at an alarming rate. Until all of us are educated
and informed, the destruction of our valuable natural resources will
continue to deteriorate.
PURPOSE: Because children are the leaders of tomorrow, it is
important that we educate them as responsible users of our natural
resources and protectors of their environment. The future of our society,
as we know it depends on how we maintain it today. |
OBJECTIVES:
1.
Students will receive a general overview of the world's
environmental Issues to understanding the global implication
of their actions.
2. Students will skills necessary to restore, enhance
and protect the Delaware Estuary.
3. Students will explore and understand why estuaries
are important ecosystems.
4. Students will explore the relationship among species
and acquire a greater respect and understanding of food
chains.
5. Students will learn about ten endangered species and
understand the conditions that led to the endangerment.
6. Students will identify five steps that they can take
to improve the Wetlands environment.
7. Students will work in groups and select a project that
will improve the environment. Each group will present
their project to the class using a PowerPoint presentation,
diorama, brochure, WebPages, or Storyboard. |
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ACTIVITIES
AND PROCEDURES:
Introduction:
Grade level 5-8: Teacher
will discuss the history of the south Jersey environmental changes
in conjunction with the Stone Harbor Wetlands Institute and the
human impact effecting the species populations along the Delaware
Bay. Students will use the World Wide Web and two-way videoconferencing
to learn about estuaries, ecosystems, the great oyster years of
south jersey and the environmental enemy that destroyed that industry.
The class will then discuss the implications of the polluting
our water supply and the effect it has on our lives, and move
the discussion toward the concept of preservation. The class will
then discuss the idea of global pollution and its' size and volume.
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Grade
level 5-8 Activities: Students will then have a variety of
activities to teach them about protecting our Wetlands and our
environment:
- The
teacher will read 100 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The
Earth to the students.
- The
class will take a field trip to a Water Treatment Plant or
Recycle center.
- Students
will make poster for the hallway in the building to remind
put trash in the trashcan, turn off the water when not in
use and practice environmental preservation at home. Recycled
paper, glass and plastic.
- Students
will take Virtual Field Trips to the Wetland Institute, Liberty
Science Center Delaware Bay Schooner Project and The Cape
May Zoo.
- Students
will research global environmental issues using www.un.org/partners/civil_society/agenda.htm
This is a website listing the Global Issues on the UN Agenda,
which includes environment.
- Other
spin off lessons and games are:
o
Quack, Quack, Human Impact
o
Wetlands Cafeteria
o
Marsh Metaphors
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