Elementary+Education+Group

**Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle** **A 5th Grade Multidisciplinary Curriculum Unit**

**Rationale**

 * As reported by the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) 2010 Living Planet Report, populations of tropical species are declining rapidly, while human consumption of our natural resources continues to rise steadily. Overall, the index reports that between the years 1970 and 2007, the planet’s biodiversity has decreased by 30%; but, by 60% in the tropical areas of the planet. Likewise, our use of natural resources has doubled since 1966. We are currently using 50% more natural resources than our planet can support. This means that the Earth needs 1.5 years to generate the natural resources we use in a year.

Clearly, we cannot keep pace with these trends or we will destroy the biodiversity and natural resources of our planet. Therefore, it is critical that we begin to educate our young people about the responsibilities we have to care for our planet and the natural resources she provides for our survival. This unit aims to educate students at an age when they are mature enough to understand the impact we are having on our planet and the critical nature of our responsibility to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as a means of protecting our resources. || Source: []

**Philosophy**

 * This multidisciplinary unit on recycling is rooted in an experimentalist philosophy that also promotes the socio-civic development of students. At the core of the unit, students are presented with the aforementioned problems occurring in our world, and are charged with the task of understanding them and taking action. Students who experience this curriculum are encouraged to be problem solvers for the betterment of the society in which they live. The society that they live and work in is a democratic one that values social responsibility and cooperation. The upper-elementary students that this curriculum is designed to serve are expected to share their knowledge on the importance of recycling and protecting Earth's resources with their family members and communities in order to create a socially conscious and responsible society. ||

**Aim**

 * To increase students' awareness of and concern for Earth's natural resources

**Goals / Objectives**

 * = ** Goal ** || ** Objectives ** ||
 * * Identify Earth's natural resources || * The student understands Earth’s natural resources and the importance of conserving them. The student will be able to:
 * Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources
 * Describe how we can best use plants, the land and the food supply
 * Explain the ways we can use our energy resources wisely
 * Identify the consequences of not using our resources wisely ||
 * * Convey the impact of human production on our environment || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The student understands where solid waste (garbage) comes from and what happens to it when we throw it away. The student will be able to:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Explain how much garbage is accumulated in our country each year
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Describe what happens to garbage when it is picked up by the garbage truck
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Describe the impact of landfills on our environment ||
 * * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; text-align: left;">Inspire and equip students to care for their environment || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The student understands the need to prevent waste through reducing and reusing products. The student will be able to:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Design a plan to take care of Earth’s resources in our community
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Describe ways in which products can be reused at home or school
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Describe ways in which they can reduce waste at home or school
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Identify products they can recycle at home or in school
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Explain the positive impact recycling has on our use of energy and natural resources ||
 * * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; text-align: left;">Create a collaborative work environment in which students understand the complexities of environmental issues from multiple disciplines including social studies, science, math, and technology || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The student works well with others to understand these environmental issues on a deep level from multiple perspectives. The student will be able to:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Describe the societal influences that have led up to the critical environmental issues that exist today
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Identify ways in which technology can help reduce pollution and waste and monitor the impact of landfills on our environment
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Use mathematical skills to numerically chart and describe changes in our environment over time
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Use scientific skills to investigate environmental impacts via data collection, observations and accurate measurements. ||

**Background Information**
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Sources: []; []; []
 * <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">** Concept ** || <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">** Basic Ideas ** ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Natural Resources ||< * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are different types of natural resources: plants, animals, minerals, fresh air and fresh water.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some natural resources are renewable and can replenish themselves, like trees, fresh air, fresh water, crops and wildlife.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some natural resources are nonrenewable and have a limited availability on Earth. Once used, theses resources cannot be renewed within our lifetime.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is important that we work to conserve our natural resources, or they will become endangered or disappear. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Solid Waste (Garbage) || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Garbage, also known as solid waste, is generated by people at home or work and by businesses when they manufacture, process and ship goods.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is reported that the people of the USA generate over 50 trillion pounds of waste every year (excluding wastewater).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is estimated that for every 220 pounds of products produced in the U.S. each year, at least 7,000 pounds of waste is generated.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The trash we throw away, doesn’t go away – it is stored in a landfill. Landfills take up a lot of space and run the risk of contaminating our air, soil and water. Modern landfills are considered sanitary because they have leak monitoring systems and are lined with clay or plastic to prevent leakage. Even after a landfill is closed, federal law requires that we monitor it for 30 years.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Composting yard waste and food scraps is an excellent way of reducing the garbage (or solid waste) we make. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Waste Prevention (Reduce and Reuse) || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reducing and reusing products can help save natural resources for the future.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reducing and reusing cuts back on the pollution we create.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are many easy ways to prevent waste, such as using both sides of a piece of paper, or turning off the faucet when we brush our teeth.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are many easy ways to reuse items to conserve resources, such as donating used clothing to those who need them, borrowing things instead of buying them, and avoiding using and buying disposable products. ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Recycling || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recycling is one of the best ways citizens can make a direct impact on the environment.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recycling reduces energy use (recycling aluminum takes 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recycling conserves natural resources.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recycling reduces solid waste and therefore saves space in the landfills.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many materials can be recycled, including paper products, metals, glass products, and plastics.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As consumers, we can make the choice to buy products made from recycled (post-consumer) materials. ||

**Experiences**
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Sources: [] ; []; []
 * <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">**Content Area** || <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">**Experience** ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; text-align: center;">Natural Resources || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Classes will work collaboratively to “publish” a literary magazine on Earth’s natural resources. Each student will contribute to the magazine that will be comprised of stories, plays, songs, pictures, poetry, charts, etc. depicting or explaining the environmental issues our planet faces and what proactive steps can be taken to protect her.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Reinforces collaborative work
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Helps students develop understanding of environmental issues
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Integrates knowledge of Earth Science and other subjects such as language arts, math, art, and music ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; text-align: center;">Solid Waste (Garbage) || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Teachers will take students on a “virtual tour ” of a landfill by visiting a website (such as the Simi Valley Landfill & Recycling Center at [] ) to enhance students’ understanding of:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Where trash goes after a garbage truck picks it up
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The volume of waste created by a community and contained in a landfill
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The process of containing, maintaining and monitoring a landfill ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; text-align: center;">Waste Prevention (Reduce and Reuse) || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Students will be responsible for creating a functional product using recycled materials (e.g., a birdhouse from a milk or juice carton, a drum from a coffee can, a rain gauge from a glass bottle) in order to:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Emphasize the many ways in which products can be re-used
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Encourage students’ creativity ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px; text-align: center;">Recycling || * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">Teachers will take their classes on a field trip to a local recycling center in order for students to gain a better understanding of:
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The volume of materials recycled
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The types of materials that can be recycled
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.33px;">The process involved in recycling materials ||

**Standards**

 * <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">**National Standards** || <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">**TEKS Standards** ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NS.5-8.1 Science as Inquiry: Students should develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry, and understandings about scientific inquiry.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NS.5-8.5 Science and Technology: Students should develop abilities of technological design and understandings about science and technology.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NS.5-8.6 Personal and Social Perspectives: Students should develop understanding <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">of personal health, populations, resources, and enviornments, natural hazards, risks <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and benefits, and science and technology in society. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SS112.16b1(B) The student is expected to make informed choices in the conservation, disposal, and recycling of material

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SS112.16b2(A) The student is expected to describe, plan, and implement <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">simple experimental investigations testing one variable

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SS112.16b2(C) The student is expected to collect information by detailed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">observations and accurate measuring

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SS112.18b7(B)The student is expected to design a logical plan to manage energy resources in the home, school, or community

MA111.17b10(C) The student is expected to connect models for perimeter, area, and volume with their respective formulas

MA111.17b14(B) The student is expected to solve problems that incorporate understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness

HE115.7b8(D) The student is expected to identify environmental protection programs that promote community health such as recycling, waste disposal, or safe food packaging || Sources: []

** Sources **

 * <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">**Online Source** || <span style="background-color: #0ebe0e; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">**Description** ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Earth Day Lesson Plans and additional links for more resources, including activities, background information, games and music ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">EPA’s website that includes an interactive game for students to learn about ways in which this “city” reuses resources to save money and the environment ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A list of books to help teach elementary students about recycling ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lesson plans designed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, including State standards that can be modified, as well as multiple activities to teach the importance of recycling ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lesson plans on recycling produced by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A list of additional links with curricula ideas for teaching lessons on recycling and other environmental issues ||
 * [] || The WWF website with a plethora of information on the problems facing Earth and its species ||