Lesson 1: Our Environment and Resources

'''First Grade '''

'''Key Concept: 7'''

'''Our Environment and Resources '''

 

Overview: 

The purpose of this lesson is to discuss ways that students can take responsibility for their environment. This lesson helps students to learn that the world is an important place and we should take care of it. This relates to Arkansas in that we should keep Arkansas beautiful. This lesson shows how students can take part in saving the world and our natural state.

 

For the Teacher: 

This lesson can be used as an introduction to a unit on the environment, or part of an Earth Day celebration. 

 

Materials: 

·        Book: ''Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green'' by Eileen Spinelli

·        Handout: Going Green class book (provided)

 

Objectives: 

C.3.1.3 Describe ways classrooms and schools work to accomplish common tasks and establish responsibilities

G.9.1.1 Explain positive and negative effects humans have on the environment (e.g. litter, pollution, planting trees, recycling…)

Instructions:

1.      Tell students that today they will be learning about ways they can help the environment.

2.      On a whiteboard or chart paper, create a KWL chart for “Ways to Help the Environment.”

3.      Ask students to brainstorm ways they can help the environment. Record their answers in the K column.

4.      Then, ask students what questions they have about helping the environment. Record their answers in the W column.

5.      Next, introduce the book Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green by Eileen Spinelli (Scholastic sells if for $4.48 on their website: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/miss-foxs-class-goes-green#cart/cleanup). Ask students to look at the cover. Have them predict what the book will be about based on the title and illustrations. Ask what it means to “go green.”

6.      Read the book out loud. Stop to point out Miss Fox’s rules for going green and what the characters do to help the environment.

7.      After reading, refer back to your KWL chart. Discuss as a class some of the new ways they learned to go green, and record it in the L column.

 

Assessment: 

·        Informal: Ask check for understanding questions during the read aloud to make sure students are comprehending ways to help the environment. Use the L column of the KWL chart to make sure students have learned ways to help the environment.

·        Formal: Create a class book. Each student is expected to write a short response and illustrate one way they can “go green.” After the class book is created, bind it together and read it to the class. Keep it accessible during the school year so students can refer to it.

 

Extension: 

·        In small groups or as a class, create “Go Green” posters to hang in the school hallway to encourage peers to “go green” in school.

Information from: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/education/teacher-resources/curriculum-maps-and-lesson-plans