Learning Activity Template

Title: Earth Education

Curriculum: Science

Grade-Level Span: Grade Four and Five

Authors Names & School Districts: Corey Kemp and Theresa Shanoff: ISD #704, Proctor

PURPOSE: Sustainable Living

When students recycle they become part of a process larger than themselves. Recycling has a positive impact on the

environment, adds jobs to the U.S. economy, and turns used products into new ones. Recycling is a hands-on tool for teaching students about the the environment and personal responsibility. It can also be useful for teaching reading literacy, math and science skills, and collaborative learning.

DESCRIPTION: Using the designated web site “Earth Education” students will investigate how recycling can help our environment. Students will work in groups of three to locate internet resources and extract relevant information on how their school can be more pro-active in the recycling process.

ACTIVITIES	Curriculum Standards	Minnesota Technology Standards	ISTE-NETS	Information Literacy Standard	Big 6
Students will complete the activities with 80% accuracy on the “Earth Education” web page within four weeks. Work will be done independently as well as collaboratively.	Gr. 4, IIIA1; Gr. 5, IA2	IA, IVC,	1, 3, 7, 9	1,	1.2, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1
Independently, research the answers to the questions using the indicated links. (Week 1)	Gr. 5, IA1	IA, IIIA,	2,	1,	4.2, 3.1, 3.2
Independently, submit your answers to these questions using the online procedure. (Week 2)		IA, IIA,			2.2,
Optional: Use a digital camera with your team of three to document the recycling process in your school. (These photos could be used in your power point presentation.)		IA, IIA, IIID, IVC,	3, 9	3,	1.1, 4.1, 4.2
Collaboratively with your team of 3, create a five page power point presentation to teach students in grades 1-3 about recycling in your school. (Week 3)		IA, IIA, IIID, IVC,	3, 2, 7, 8, 9	1, 3, 7	2.2, 5.2,
Independently, design a title page (page #1) and credit page (page #8) for the mini book using text and pictures. (Week 3)	Gr. 5, IA2	IA,	3, 2,	3,	5.1,
Follow the directions to make a mini-booklet that will list 6 reasons why it is important to reduce waste. (Week 4)	Gr. 5, IA2	IA, IIIA,	3, 2,	3,	1.1, 5.1,
Schedule a time for your team of three to meet with your teacher to make a 10 minute presentation to the school board or the PIE on (1) why it is important to recycle and (2)what you are doing in your school to promote recycle.	Gr. 5, IA2	IA, IIID, IVC,	7, 8, 9	7, 8, 9	1.1, 5.2,

TOOLS AND RESOURCES:

Internet, digital camera, PowerPoint, computer projector, http://pages.mhlearningntework.com/plbv/

ASESSMENT:

Students will be evaluated using the following criteria: effective use of time to complete the project, collaboration skills, presentation skills, use of media tools, 80% accuracy answering the indicated answers.

CREDITS (INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION):

ISD #704 Bayview Elementary; Corey Kemp: ck@proctor.k12.mn.us: ISD #704 Pike Lake Elementary; Theresa Shanoff: tshanoff@proctor.k12.mn.us

COMMENTS: We are excited to use this activity with our students. Both of the elementary schools (Bayview and Pike Lake) are privileged to have a school forest. We often stress the importance of our environment in cross curricular activities. Furthermore, our district is involved with many outdoor projects. An ongoing project termed “Sustainability Education” has received funding to continue with training of our teachers, communication with the public, and application to the classroom Pre-K – 12.

Used with permission of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Project (http://www.iste.org or http://cnets.iste.org) Contact: Lajeane Thomas, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3161, Ruston, LA 71272; Voice: 318 257-3923 Email: lthomas@latech.edu