Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
This lesson will acquaint students with the different types of environmental organizations, connect them to the three economic sectors, and analyze how these organizations differ in their purposes, goals and achievements.
Duration:
Three to Four Fifty-Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- Identify into which economic sector an environmental organization fits.
- Research an environmental organization, evaluate its goals and objectives in relation to the environment, and present the findings.
Materials:
- Environmental Group Research (see Attachment One)
- Environmental Organization Information Sheet (see Attachment Two)
- Environmental Organization Notes (see Attachment Three)
- Presentation Grading Rubric (see Attachment Four)
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Ask students to write in their journals which of the three sectors of the economy the following organizations fit and why: Environmental Protection Agency (government), World Wildlife Federation (nonprofit), and Amoco Oil (for profit). (If students do not recognize the organizations, discuss the organizations with them.) Once writing is complete, discuss where and how the students grouped the organizations in relation to Lesson One's discussion about the three sectors.
- Divide students into seven groups. Distribute student copies of Environmental Group Research (see Attachment One). Read the instructions, going over the assignment in detail. Place the transparency of Presentation Grading Rubric (see Attachment Four) on the overhead and share the information on how the presentations will be graded. Answer any questions related to the assignment.
- Assign each group one of the following organizations:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- National Park Service
- The Nature Conservancy
- Greenpeace
- Exxon
- Consumers Energy Nuclear Power Plant (or substitute your local power source)
- Give students in each group their appropriate Environmental Organization Information Sheet (see Attachment Two). Have student teams research their assigned organization and fill in their Environmental Group Research form. Research can be conducted using both print and Internet sources. For additional sources see recommended Web sites and materials in the Bibliographical Reference section.
- Once students are prepared for their presentations, the teacher should collect the Environmental Group Research forms and make overheads so that groups may use the prepared information in their presentations.
- While students are making their presentations, have the rest of the class take notes using Environmental Organization Notes (see Attachment Three). NOTE: The notes sheets are designed to have a different appearance from the Research forms so that students will not merely copy what they see on the overhead. They will also write phrases or very short answers rather than complete sentences which are inappropriate when taking notes on oral presentations. If you wish, some of the information asked for may be eliminated from the notes sheets to encourage students to listen rather than writing extensively during the entire presentation.
- Grade the student presentations using Presentation Grading Rubric (see Attachment Four).
Assessment:
Assess student research, presentation style and inquiry abilities by utilizing Presentation Grading Rubric (see Attachment Four). Students may also be assessed on the notes taken during the oral reports.
Extension:
Research local organizations using the same criteria and information, not necessarily focusing on the environment but other topics such as medicine, homelessness, etc.
Bibliographical References:
- Consumers Energy: http://www.consumersenergy.com/welcome.htm/ Consumers Energy http://www.greenpeace.org/is a local company in the Jackson area and therefore makes a connection to our community. If you are looking for a company that has a nuclear power plant in your area, look for it under the following site: http://www.canon.net/~gonyeau/nuclear/reasons.htm [no longer available] Using the Consumers Energy site's search engine for information about the Palisades and Big Rock plants is the best way to access information, while also searching for information about environmental remediation.
- Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/
- Exxon: http:/www.exxon.com/ Particularly useful are articles that are found in the search engine under environmental remediation and environmental expenditures, as well as the typical section about the organization.
- Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/ http://www.greenpeace.org/
- National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/
- The Nature Conservancy: http://www.tnc.org/
- OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Gita GemutsJackson Public Schools
Jackson High School
Jackson, MI 49201
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Environmental Group Research
Names of Team Members:
Assigned Environmental Group: ______________________________________________
After completing your research and reading, answer the following questions about your assigned environmental group.
1. Give a historical background of your organization (when, where, how and by whom was it founded).
2. Describe the goals or mission of the organization.
3. Who does the organization serve (private individuals, the public, a city, an organization, etc.)?
4. Describe how the environment benefits from what this organization does.
5. How does this organization pay for its existence?
6.This organization is: FOR PROFIT NONPROFIT GOVERNMENTAL
7. The answer to number six is correct because:
8. Prepare a presentation for the class about your organization. Your teacher will copy this document so it can be used as an overhead during your presentation. All group members must participate.
9. Create a visual aid in addition to the overhead that describes your organization.
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Environmental Organization Information Sheet
Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
The Nature Conservancy: http://www.tnc.org/
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/, http://www.greenpeace.org/
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
Exxon: http://www.exxon.com/ Particularly useful are articles that are found in the search engine under environmental remediation, environmental expenditures, as well as the typical section about the organization.
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
Consumers Energy: http://www.consumersenergy.com/welcome.htm/. Using the Consumers Energy site's search engine for information about the Palisades and Big Rock plants is the best way to access information while also searching for information about environmental remediation.
Textbook on pages:
Library books:
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Environmental Organization Notes
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Environmental Protection Agency |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration | |
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Founded by |
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· How
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· When (year) |
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· Where located |
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Main goal of organization
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Who is served |
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Benefit to environment
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How funded
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Sector |
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· Why
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National Park Service |
The Nature Conservancy | |
| Founded by | ||
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· How
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| · When (year) | ||
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· Where located
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Main goal of organization
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Who is served
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Benefit to environment
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How funded
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| Sector | ||
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· Why
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Greenpeace |
Exxon |
Consumers Energy Power Plant | |
| Founded by | |||
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· How
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| · When (year) | |||
| · Where located | |||
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Main goal of organization
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Who is served
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Benefit to environment
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How funded
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| Sector | |||
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· Why
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Handout 4Print Handout 4
Presentation Grading Rubric
Content
All required questions were answered.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
Students were all knowledgeable about the organization.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
The research was completed well.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
The sector choice was well justified.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
The information was accurate.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
Presentation
The presentation was well organized.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
The presentation was creative and interesting.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
All group members participated.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
The visual aid was prepared and aided understanding.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
Questions were answered well.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ______/10
Total: _______/100
Additional comments:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Environmental Groups and the Three Economic Sectors Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Identify the Three Economic Sectors
- 2.
- Match the Environmental Group with the Correct Sector
- 3.
- Nonprofit Environmental Groups
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.