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Eco-Challenge for Primary Students |
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In a Nutshell:
Students learn about the environmental impact of their daily activities,
and think about changes they can make to help protect the
environment. The nine activities in this lesson plan take place both
in the classroom and at home.
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Goal:
To show students that taking personal actions everyday can help the environment.
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Activities:
- Make an Action Poster
Students make a conservation poster to hang on their fridge
or in the classroom or to give to their neighbour or a local
business.
- My Family's Action Plan!
Students are given a worksheet illustrating different
conservation actions. They share the plan with their families
to select three actions to commit to. Students cut out and
colour the three action-pictures and paste them onto a “My
Family's Action Plan” poster.
- My Action Plan!
Students are given a worksheet illustrating different
conservation actions. They select three actions to commit to
for a week. Students cut out and colour the three pictures and
paste them onto a “My Action Plan” poster.
- My Eco-Bookmark
Students create a bookmark with a conservation message and
picture. The front of the bookmark features a conservation
action picture and conservation message, and the back of the
bookmark shows an animal or landscape that students want to
protect.
- Lights Off!
Students learn about conserving energy by turning off the lights
in the classroom when they are not in use. The class compares a
typical week to a "Lights-Off" week when they make a conscious
effort to conserve. The Lights-Off time is tracked on a poster
provided. Afterwards, students calculate how much energy was
reduced during the Lights-Off week. Note: It's a good idea to
schedule the conservation Lights-Off week during the week of
Earth Day.
- Reducing Classroom Waste
Students analyze, sort and reduce classroom waste (paper, compost,
plastic, etc.). This is a two-day activity: the first part occurs
on a “typical” day and the second part on a day when students make
an effort to reduce their waste. Students measure the volume and
weight of the waste – a useful math activity. Students create
labels and posters for their classroom recycling, compost and
garbage bins.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at Home
Students use the worksheet (provided) to learn how their family
can do the 4 R's at home: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse.
- My Eco-Magnet
Students create a fridge magnet with a conservation message and
picture.
- What's On At Home
Students go around their homes and list the lights, appliances,
and other household items that are turned on. Students compare
what is turned on during a typical evening at home to a second
evening when they are trying to conserve energy.
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Handouts:
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Student Web-Exchange:
Students can post examples of their work to the Student
Web-Exchange and share their Eco-Challenge efforts
with students across the north. Click on the icon for information
on how to post material.
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About the Authors:
GreenThink
develops resources for teachers and students, creates
online media and games, and uses storytelling, film, theatre and hands-on
workshops to bring about positive changes in the community and the environment.
Climate Change North works to empower and support teachers,
students, and others to understand the problem of climate change in the north,
the adaptations that will be required, and the actions that will help slow its
progress.
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