Academy Curricular Exchange
Columbia Education Center
Science

TITLE:  ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A NICE, CLEAN EARTH

AUTHOR:   Therese Lloyd, Holy Rosary Elementary School,
          Idaho Falls, ID

GRADE LEVEL:   Appropriate for Grades 4-6

OVERVIEW:  This particular activity is designed to allow
students to investigate those items of litter that cause
harm to the environment.  It may be extended to increase
awareness of the natural role of energy sources within the
living organisms of the environment.

OBJECTIVE(s):  Students will be able to:
1. Observe the properties of the items being studied.
2. Determine the time it takes for various items to
   decompose.  Include both organic and inorganic
   materials.
3. Identify differences/similarities between the
   decomposition of organic and inorganic matter.
4. Identify practical uses in litter/garbage control.
5. Establish reasons for a recycling program..

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Teacher Materials:  samples of the kinds of items
Student Materials:  hand lens, science notebook, pencil

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Select certain items to be used.  Be sure to include
     organic and inorganic materials.
2.   Put the items in the school yard or another area where
     they will not be disturbed by other people.
3.   Record any changes you observe for a given period of
     time.  This can vary from a short period of about three
     weeks or can be extended to a year long project from
     September through the end of school..

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: Culminating activities
1.   Use the observations as a springboard for a writing
     activity on comparisons and contrasts, editorial
     writing, or scientific writing styles.
2.   Create a bulletin board at Christmas using the above
     theme and display items that can be easily recycled.
3.   Study the landfill problems in your area and begin a
     recycling program in your school or classroom.
4.   Concentrate on the organic items and begin a study of
     the organisms of the ecosystems and their inter-
     relationships.

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