Learning Activity: Addressing local environmental issues

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(CNN Student News) -- Students will learn about and address environmental problems that may exist in their community.

In class discussion, have students consider the meaning of the following quote by Japanese environmentalist and mountaineer Ken Noguchi:

"An alpinist goes into dangerous conditions. But the most important thing is to never give up. It's the same with environmental problems. You can't do it all by yourself, but if you get a group of people together, anything is possible."

After the discussion, challenge students to work together to identify and address local environmental issues. Help your students to brainstorm a list of environmental issues that are important to their school and community. These issues may include tree conservation, littering and water quality.

Next, group students, and assign each group an environmental issue from the list. Instruct each group to conduct research to learn about its environmental issue and what is being done to address it. Have students make formal presentations of their findings to the class.

Following the presentations, have each group draw upon its research to develop and execute an activity that will help address an environmental concern. Activities may include starting an after-school club, developing a public awareness campaign or organizing a day of local action. After students complete their activities, have them write essays in which they reflect upon the impact of their experiences.

Extension: Take photos of students carrying out their activities. Then, exhibit these photos along with the students' essays in your school library.

Correlated Standards

Environment and Society

Standard 14: Understands how human actions modify the physical environment

Level III Grade : 6-8

Benchmark 4: Understands the environmental consequences of both the unintended and intended outcomes of major technological changes in human history (e.g., the effects of automobiles using fossil fuels)

McREL: Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education (Copyright 2000 McREL) is published online by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) (http://www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014

Science

Standard 6. Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment

Level IV [Grade: 9-12]

Benchmark 5: Knows ways in which humans can alter the equilibrium of ecosystems, causing potentially irreversible effects (e.g., human population growth, technology, and consumption; human destruction of habitats through direct harvesting, pollution, and atmospheric changes)

Life Skills: Working With Others

Standard 1. Contributes to the overall effort of a group

Level IV [Grade: K-12]

Benchmark 1. Knows the behaviors and skills that contribute to team effectiveness

Benchmark 2. Works cooperatively within a group to complete tasks, achieve goals, and solve problems

Benchmark 7. Helps the group establish goals, taking personal responsibility for accomplishing such goals

Standard 4. Displays effective interpersonal communication skills

Level IV [Grade: K-12]

Benchmark 1. Demonstrates appropriate behaviors for relating well with others (e.g., empathy, caring, respect, helping, friendliness, politeness)

Benchmark 4. Provides feedback in a constructive manner, and recognizes the importance of seeking and receiving constructive feedback in a nondefensive manner

Keywords

environmental concerns, consequences, pollution, community action, perseverance, cooperation

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