Lesson Plan 5

Title of the Lesson:   How We Can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
 

Brief Description of the Lesson:  Groups of students do research to evaluate the school's recycling and waste management practices. After analyzing current methods, teams develop a new recycling plan, and create a slideshow presentation to share their plan.  They will present their proposals to the principal for consideration.
 
 

Duration:  Seven 45- minute class periods

Discussion through interactive video, assignment explanation, and group assignments: one 45-minute class period.

Research days:  two 45-minute class periods

Create Plan and Presentation: two 45-minute class periods

Presentations to class and principal:  two class periods 
 

Content Standards Used/Unit Goals/Objectives Supported: 
Content Standards 

Louisiana 6th Grade GLE’s:

 46. Identify ways people can reuse, recycle, and reduce the use of resources to improve and protect the quality of life (SE-M-A6)

Louisiana Mathematics Content Standards:

D-1-M systematically collecting, organizing, describing, and displaying data in charts, tables, plots, graphs, and/or spreadsheets; (1, 2, 3, 4)

A-3-M representing situations and number patterns with tables, graphs, and verbal and written statements, while exploring the relationships among these representations (e.g., multiple representations for the same situation); (1,4)

 

Louisiana Educational Technology Standards:

Grade 5-8 Performance Indicators:

C. Demonstrate the operations of a computer (e.g., touch-keyboarding skills, save, organize and back-up files) and other peripheral devices (scanner, digital and video cameras, VCR, laser disc player) at an intermediate level. (6)

E. Use information, media, and technology in a responsible manner which includes following the school’s acceptable use policy, adhering to copyright laws, respecting the rights of others, and employing proper etiquette in all forms of communication. (4,5)

G. Use multimedia tools and desktop publishing to develop and present computer generated projects for directed and independent learning activities. (1,3)

H. Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools, web        tools) to gather information for problem solving, communication, collaborative writing and publishing to create products for various audiences. (1,3,4)

 

J. Understand Internet concepts (e.g., website, hypertext link, bookmarks, URL addresses) and apply intermediate on-line searching techniques (e.g., employ keyword, phrases, and Boolean Operators). (1,4)

 

K. Use telecommunications and online resources efficiently and effectively to collaborate with peers, experts, and others to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information and to develop solutions or products for various audiences. (1,2,3,4)

 

L. Communicate information using spreadsheets and databases to visually represent data and integrate into other documents (e.g., entering data, formatting using formulas, analyzing data, and sorting). (1,2,3,4)

 

N. Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information. (2,4,5)

 

 Unit Goals Supported:

Through research students will learn more about different aspects and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.  Students will learn to apply the information to their everyday life by creating and implementing a practical school wide reducing, reusing, and recycling plan.  The unit uses computers are the main resource and tool; as a result, students will learn and improve computer skills. 

 

Unit Objectives Supported:

TLW create a slide show presentation.

TLW write a persuasive speech.

TLW give an oral presentation.

TLW correctly cite resources.

TLW evaluate waste management practices of their school.

TLW construct a waste management program for the school. 

Lesson Goals:

The goal of this lesson is for students to take all of the information learned about reducing, reusing, and recycling and apply it to a real life situation.  By evaluating and creating a waste management plan for the school students are able to make a difference and apply knowledge. 
 

Lesson Objectives:

TLW create a slide show presentation.

TLW write a persuasive speech.

TLW give an oral presentation.

TLW correctly cite resources.

TLW evaluate waste management practices of their school.

TLW construct a waste management program for the school. 
 

Resources:


Computer lab with interactive video

Computers with Internet

Microsoft PowerPoint

Electronic mail

Library with reference books


 

Procedures:

Setting:  Teacher will lead discussion in classroom and there will be a satellite class participating through interactive video.

  1. The classes will discuss different ways students can learn more about alternative methods that might improve the current waste management plan in the school. This may involve the study of electronic and print resources, and interviews with other schools, manufacturers who use recycled materials, school cafeteria staff, or school custodial workers. Also, students will discuss how to use their survey results as a resource.  Students need to support their recommendations, so the classes will orally review how to cite resources.
  2. Students will have two days in class to interview school staff, correspond with outside sources through e-mail, and use electronic and print resources. 
  3. Once information is collected, students should develop a proposal that outlines current practices and provides justifications for new recommendations. The recommendations can go in several directions:
  • REDUCE: A campaign to educate students and staff so less waste is produced (choosing products that come in less packaging, for example.)
  • REUSE: A plan to reuse more material before it enters the waste stream (printing on the blank sides of used paper, for example.)
  • RECYCLE: A plan to increase recycling by making it more user friendly and convenient.
  1. Students will then develop a slideshow presentation, to be used in conjunction with their proposal. Pass out the Slideshow Rubric you will use to assess the presentations, and show students how to use it to guide their work.  
  2. Finally the students will write a persuasive speech to propose their plans to the principal for review and consideration.

Assessment: The slideshow presentation created by the students will be assessed using the slideshow rubric.

There will also be constant on going informal assessments through teacher monitoring.