Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Peer Discussion Activity

Today we will interview each other about the environment and its sustainability.
Student 1 Asks the questions in green and Student 2 Asks the questions in purple.

1.  How worried are you about the environment?
2.  What is the most recent story you have heard about the environment?
3.  What are the biggest problems concerning the environment in your country?
4.  What countries are the leaders in showing concern about the environment?
5.  What do you think about environmental groups like Greenpeace?  Do you know of any others?
6.  Do you think our environment is impossible to be repaired? Why or why not?
Discuss together: What do you do to help the environment?

Assignment- Create A Daily Diary of Activities:
For the next week record your daily activities.  Include how many times you ride in a vehicle, flush the toilet, how long it takes you to shower, brush your teeth, record what you eat, the garbage you throw away, ride your bike, use the computer, etc. 

More About Our Daily Impact

This lesson covers the following California State Standard:
6a.  Students know different natural energy and material resources, including air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum, fresh water, wildlife, and forests, and know how to classify them renewable or nonrenewable. 
c. Students know the natural origin of the materials used to make common objects.

Video

After watching this video, post your answers to the following questions.
1. What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources? Name two items from each category.
2. The video showed and discussed the natural origins of the materials used to make common objects.
Pick an item of your chose and find its natural origins.
What surprised you the most about what you discovered?

Extended Activity:
What's Wrong with this Picture?
http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/kids/whatwrng.html

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Take a Footprint Calculator Quiz

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/

After taking this quiz, discuss your results (include how many Earth's you need to support your lifestyle).  What were your biggest surprises?