Humans, the Environment, and the Great Plains

Expanding Student Environmental Awareness

Background:

Environmental awareness among children is a key issue in modern day curriculum design. Ideas to heighten such an awareness can become more effective if they become activities which are educational, yet at the same time fun-filled.

Objective:

Students can expand their environmental awareness with some library research and basic project modeling.

Plan:

1. Have students brainstorm a list of environmental issues in the world today. Then, have them focus on the Great Plains region and find out how many of those issues concern this region. You may wish to write their ideas on the chalkboard.
2. Next, have students form small groups. Each group should choose one issue to research. When researching, students should focus on the following:
   • Problems that are related to the issue
   • Causes of the problem
   • Effects of the problems on people
   • Possible solutions to the problems
   • What students can do to help solve the problems
3. Have groups display their work. Here's one idea: Cut a 20" diameter circle out of the square piece of poster board for each group. On the front, have groups draw one hemisphere of a world map. Students should write the name of the research issue on the map. On the back of the map, have them list the findings of the research under the following headings: Problems, Causes, Effects, Solutions, and What We Can Do. Hang the completed "globes" from the classroom's ceiling with a string.

Primary Course: Social Studies

Applicable Grades: 2 - 4

Materials Needed: A 2'x2' square of poster board for each student, a world globe or map of the world, pencils, colored markers, hole punch, string

Related Courses: Geography

Time Required: 1 Hour

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