How Pollution Affects Ecosystems and the Global Climate Essay example

How Pollution Affects Ecosystems and the Global Climate Introduction The main theme of our lesson is how pollution affects ecosystems and the global climate. We aim to teach 4th and 5th grade students about erosion in order for them to gain awareness about the anthropogenic (human-induced) impacts on the environment and global climate change as well as to generate ideas on how they can reduce their own ecological footprints. We feel this is important because the lesson not only educates students, but also motivates them to take action. This lesson will cover many of the Colorado State Academic Standards, not only science-related (Physical and Life Sciences, Science as an Inquiry, and Science in Personal and Social Perspectives), but also those pertaining to geography (Human Systems and Environment and Society) and language arts (Communication Skills and Strategies and Applying Language Skills). There are four essential components to the lesson. The first will serve as a formative assessment of students’ knowledge of pollution by playing a game which asks â€Å"have you ever† questions (for example, â€Å"have you ever heard of global warming?†). This activity is significant in our lesson because it is a hook to get students thinking about the ways they already help and hurt the environment. The next part will introduce students to the concept of an ecosystem, a fundamental unit of the biosphere. We will present the students with a fish inside of a bowl of water and ask whether or not they think this is an ecosystem. We will then add various other living and non-living components and ask the students each time. Afterwards, we will explain the concept of an ecosystem in further detail. The next activity com... ...obal_climate_change>. Cohen, Jordan, and Nick Hopwood. "Greenhouse Gases and Society." University of Michigan. 26 Sept. 2006 . "Ecosystems." Thinkquest. 26 Sept. 2006 . "Greenhouse Gases: Frequently Asked Questions." NOAA Satellite and Information Service. 1 Dec. 2005. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 26 Sept. 2006 . "National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards Key." CSI: Climate Status Investigations. The Keystone Center. 26 Sept. 2006 . â€Å"Types of Pollution.† Pollution: A Global Threat to the Environment. 2001. Thinkquest. 27 Sept. 2006