Needs and Characteristics of Living Things

Grade 1 Life Science

Outcome: Analyze different ways that plants, animals, and humans meet their needs.

Indicator: Recognize that humans and other living things depend on living things in their environment, and identify personal actions that can contribute to a healthy environment (e.g., describe how the environment - both indoor and outdoor - is important to their well-being, describe ways that humans might help or harm other living things, and discuss why humans recycle)

Objective

Students will discover ways that they are already helping protect the environment and new ways they can help.

Instructional Procedures:

1. Talk to the students about what we need from our environment.  Draw out the ideas of clean water, air, food from the soil, etc. 
2. Explain that they are going to watch a short video about how we can take care of our environment and that they will be asked what they can do to help.  Tell the students they will see paper, bottles and aluminum cans being recycled.
3. Show students 5 minute video about recycling http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/Videos/recyclevideo.html
4. Ask students what the video tells us we should do to help care for our environment (recycle).  What items did the video talk about recycling?  What other items do we recycle at home/school?  We often think of recycling glass, paper, aluminum and drink containers, but in Saskatchewan we can recycle more.  How many homes recycle used oil, unused paint, electronics or tires?  Present students with the take home worksheet.  The idea of the worksheet is not only for the students but also the families to be aware of how many items have recycling facilities in Saskatchewan.
5. What happens to things we do not recycle?  Many of them are thrown into the garbage and then go to a landfill.  Landfills take up a lot of space and if not looked after can contaminate soil and water that people and animals need.
6. What other things can we do to help protect our environment, other than recycling?  Lead students to the ideas of reusing and reducing their waste.  Could give examples of using cloth bags for groceries, using plastic containers instead of sandwich bags for lunch, and using cans and jars for pencil cups or holding beads, etc.
7. Have students draw posters of what they can do to protect the environment.

 Printable PDF version including worksheet

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