POLLUTION SOLUTIONJulia Jones

3rd Grade

INDEX

Introduction Evaluation

Task Conclusion

Process Teacher’s Page

Resources

INTRODUCTION We only get one shot at

taking care of the Earth. We don’t get the chance to trade this one in for a newer one. The Earth is our home and provides us with the resources that we need to survive. We often pollute the Earth with our daily activities. Your task is to get to know different kinds of pollution and then the different ways that the people who use the Earth’s resources can take care of her.

TASK You will work in groups of four to create a

mock newspaper titled, “The Liberty Lecture”. Each student will research on their own and then work in small groups to write one specific article. This newsletter will be a weekly publication for all of third grade for the next 5 weeks.

Articles Dumpster Diving (recycling)

Take a Bath! (water pollution) Feeling Down in the Dumps? (landfill info)

Air Heads (air pollution)

PROCESS – JOB 1

Dumpster Diving Your job is to research recycling and write an article

explaining the reasons why we need to recycle. Use the following websites to help you and print this graphic organizer to collect information.

1. What does it mean to recycle?2. Check out this cool way to use cardboard!3. What are some materials that can be recycled and

how do we use them?4. Read these cool facts. Under “General Garbage”

find out how many pounds of trash each human being will throw away by the end of their life.

PROCESS – JOB 2

Take a Bath!Your job is to research water pollution and write an

article about ways we can conserve water. Use the following websites to help you and print this graphic organizer to collect information.

1. What is water pollution?2. Watch the video “Oil Spill” and explain how one

ship’s accidental spill can harm living things?3. What is the main cause of water pollution?4. Read these cool facts. Where we use the most

amount of water in our homes?

PROCESS – JOB 3

Feeling Down in the Dumps?Your job is to research landfills and write an article

about ways we can re-use items we ordinarily throw away. Use the following websites to help you and print this graphic organizer to collect information.

1. How much trash in America ends up in a landfill every year?

2. Scroll down and read to answer this question: “How Does a Landfill Work?

3. What are five things you can do to reduce the amount of garbage going into landfills?

4. Read some of these cool facts. Calculate how many 100 foot trees the 1250 kids use in this school every year.

PROCESS – JOB 4

Air HeadsYour job is to research air pollution and write an article

about ways we can keep our air cleaner. Use the following websites to help you and print this graphic organizer to collect information

1. What is air pollution?2. What is happening to the Earth’s trees? Why is this

important to our air quality?3. Scroll down to look at this picture and explain what

you think will happen to the land these trees were on?

4. Where does carbon monoxide come from and what affect does it have on people?

PROCESS PART 2 Now, work with the other students who

had the same topic and write an article (informational piece) on your topic. You will then put your article together in part two of this web quest! Your article should have at least 5 facts and include information from everyone in your group. Use this graphic organizer to gather information from everyone in your group.

Use this template to design your newsletter.

RESOURCES

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004695.html

http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEM0YKXJD1E_Earth_0.html

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/pollution.asp

http://www.metrokc.gov/DNR/Kidsweb/landfill.htm

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/saving/recycling/solidwaste/landfiller.html

http://www.cnn.com/video/ http://www.oceansidecleanw

aterprogram.org/kids.asp http://www.oberlin.edu/recycl

e/facts.html http://www.depweb.state.pa.

us/justforkids/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=469962

http://earth911.com/feed/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R

ecycling

EVALUATION

Criteria Fair Satisfactory Good Excellent

Question SheetAll questions answered accurately and in complete sentences.

Idea sheet Good ideas that come from your online research.

ArticleWell written and full of facts from online research.

Group participationParticipated in all group work. (peer evaluation)

CONCLUSION

Try one of these sites for neat ides to add to your newsletter!

Funny riddles! http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy_fungames/riddles/index.html

Interesting facts! http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/classactivities/energyarticles.html

Cool clipart! http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX102855291033.aspx

TEACHER’S PAGE Grade Level Third Grade

Standards S3L2. Students will recognize the effects of pollution and

humans on the environment. a. Explain the effects of pollution (such as littering) to the habitats

of plants and animals. b. Identify ways to protect the environment.

• Conservation of resources • Recycling of materials

Differentiation Strategies Jobs are leveled according to student ability. Though each student

is required to use a graphic organizer and write an “article”, all jobs are not equal in questions requiring higher-level thinking.