The middle grade years are a fascinating time of life, full
of change. Adolescents are
developing new interests, some of which will have a long-lasting impact on
their lives. As with adults, most do not
take an interest in something that they consider boring or of little relevance
to them. Teachers are challenged to make
seemingly mundane topics—like the environment—interesting and captivating for
young minds. This is in many ways easier
said than done.
Here are three suggestions for making a lesson on the environment both educational and entertaining for middle grades students.
Here are three suggestions for making a lesson on the environment both educational and entertaining for middle grades students.
For
example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a Students for the Environment webpage where young people can learn about the environment by playing games find a wealth of ideas for science fair project ideas. This site also has teacher resources and
lesson plans for teaching about the environment. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) has a Fun for Kids webpage with weblinks containing teacher lesson plans and educational resources
pertaining to the Earth’s oceans and climate. The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) has a Teach and Learn webpage with
helpful teacher and student resources for teaching how the Department manages
the land, water and wildlife in the United States. The U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA) Energy Kids webpage has fun games and facts for learning concepts about energy sources, consumption,
and conservation. The EIA also has
helpful teacher lesson plans. And finally, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA)’s Climate Resources and Climate Kids webpages have
informative data concerning, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and climate
change. The Climate Kids webpage is
especially resourceful with hands-on activities for children learning about
climate change and how it affects various species.
2. Use hands-on demonstrations. For example, when teaching about consumer
product safety, refer to the previously mentioned EPA site for ideas. In the Chemical Safety Resource for Middle School Teachers lesson,
students do an inventory of the household chemicals and cleaners found around
their homes with parental supervision. The students explain why chemical safety is important and propose ideas
for preventing chemical pollution at home. The EPA’s Wastes – Educational Materials webpage has three units on waste, including facts and activities,
such as composting and recycling activities.
Other examples of hands-on demonstrations include the Washington Department of Ecology A-Way with Waste Resources webpage, which offers various lesson plans
with demonstrations.
3. Supplement textbooks with
print books or ebooks. Most of the
environmental concepts taught in classrooms are included in today’s
science-based textbooks.However, few
textbooks seem to introduce environmental topics in a fun and interesting way.
Spark some interest by looking for supplemental reading material that is
educational, thought-provoking and
entertaining. Consider using a work of
fiction tailored for upper elementary and middle school students to introduce
environmental concepts.
These three tools can help make learning about the
environment educational, engaging and fun. Accordingly, environmental education may be easily incorporated in a
variety of subject curricula.
--- Contributed by Ashley
Ivanov. Ms Ivanov is the author of From Pristine to Earth – an
environmental fiction novel for upper elementary and middle grades students. The novel is available for purchase at
Amazon.com or online at Barnes & Noble. The author may be reached at frompristinetoearth@gmail.com for questions or a lesson plan for her novel.
Note:
This article was originally published in the October 2012 issue of
INSIDER by AMLE and has since been edited.
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