Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Unit Purpose:
This unit will provide learning opportunities that allow students to interact with sources and individuals who have knowledge about the effects of air pollution while determining what role each has played. Additionally, it will allow learners to develop and implement a plan for distributing radon and carbon monoxide detectors to senior citizens and families in need, developing skills for becoming good stewards of the Earth. It will introduce the learners to the idea that Air Quality is an important environmental issue and that they have the power to affect change.
Focus Question: In which ways can you heighten individual and community awareness about the issues posed by the condition of poor air quality?
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- determine the necessity to reduce pollutants that can harm the air quality.
- describe the makeup of air quality reports.
- recognize the need to report the pollutants in the air we breathe.
- participate in a campaign to inform and assist others about the importance of air quality and the effects on their health.
- collect funds needed to purchase air quality testing devices or secure an agency that provides and distributes air quality testing for senior citizens or families in need.
- explore how companies and the government can work together to clean the air.
- investigate the careers that may be available in the field of air quality.
Service Experience:
The Academic Service-Learning component used in this unit will be that of informing senior citizens and families in need of the importance of monitoring the air supply in their homes on a regular basis. Learners will develop a plan to collect funds and purchase radon detectors or similar devices for placement in the homes of senior citizens and families in need. (See Lesson Two: Start Cleaning the Air)
Unit Assessment:
This unit provides learners with several opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge of Air Quality issues and methods of improving the Air Quality. Several rubrics are provided to aid in assessment.
Notes for Teaching:
- This unit can be used as an adjunct to teaching about the environment and how we can become good stewards of the Earth.
- Obtain permission from your principal prior to leaving the building or interacting with any group using the criteria for such activities from guidelines set forth by your school or local district. Caution learners that providing too much personal information about oneself is inappropriate.
- This lesson would be appropriate to use in connection with Earth Day (April 20th) or World Environment Day (June 5th).
- Post or provide copies of each assessment rubric to learners so that they know what is expected of them.
- Lesson One requires that learners become familiar with the Take a Stand/Position graphic organizer before the activity.
- Lesson Two requires you to contact a local agency responsible for testing or reporting air quality. Also, Quick Writes allow you to get an idea of what learners know or think about the content prior to delving into the lesson. Use it to gauge where they are. Additionally, this lesson will provide the service learning activity. It is suggested that students collect money or provide a service that would allow them to purchase radon or similar air quality instrumentation to give and install for senior citizens or families in need. Arrange in advance of this lesson areas throughout the school and/or community where the learners may collect money.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed and Piloted By:
Ramona Purdy
Detroit Public Schools
Van Zile Elementary School
2915 E Outer Dr
Detroit, MI 48234
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