Overview of Unit
This unit is comprised of five lessons that I developed for 3rd/4th grade classrooms. There are some lessons are not included on this website that are needed to supplement and add to the answering of the essential questions for the unit.
I wanted to create this unit to show students the relationship between pollution and privilege and open their eyes to the ways that they can make a difference and change in the field of environmental justice. Discussing pollution and poverty with children is difficult, but with meaningful discussion, activities and information I believe it can be taught effectively. You will see in many of my lessons that there are facts given and literature used to support the information given. I believe this is an effective way to help students understand a controversial topic.
Also found on this website is a section explaining the assessment that is expected to go along with this unit. It is essential for teachers to make sure their students are understanding the main concepts of the lesson through various forms of assessment.
Finally, I have included a list of resources I have used while developing this unit. You will also find fantastic children's books included in that list to supplement a classroom library.
Essential Questions
The following are the essential and guiding questions I used to guide my development of the lessons. My goal is that at the end of the unit student's have developed meaningful answers that they understand to these questions.
What is the relationship between pollution and privilege?
How do environmental issues affect humans?
I wanted to create this unit to show students the relationship between pollution and privilege and open their eyes to the ways that they can make a difference and change in the field of environmental justice. Discussing pollution and poverty with children is difficult, but with meaningful discussion, activities and information I believe it can be taught effectively. You will see in many of my lessons that there are facts given and literature used to support the information given. I believe this is an effective way to help students understand a controversial topic.
Also found on this website is a section explaining the assessment that is expected to go along with this unit. It is essential for teachers to make sure their students are understanding the main concepts of the lesson through various forms of assessment.
Finally, I have included a list of resources I have used while developing this unit. You will also find fantastic children's books included in that list to supplement a classroom library.
Essential Questions
The following are the essential and guiding questions I used to guide my development of the lessons. My goal is that at the end of the unit student's have developed meaningful answers that they understand to these questions.
What is the relationship between pollution and privilege?
- Why are areas separated by income?
- Why is pollution bad?
- Who/what is creating the pollution?
- Why is pollution/toxic materials dumped in one area rather than another?
- How can we fix it?
How do environmental issues affect humans?
- What are some examples of environmental issues causing harm to humans?