1. Environment and Society

2. Standard K.3.7 Recommend ways that people can improve their environment at home, in school and in their neighborhood. Recycling Volunteering some of their free time to picking up trash in and around the community. Planting trees to supply oxygen to the air and planting flowers to add color and beauty.

3. Definitions: Recycle: the collection and separation of materials for reproducing other materials. Environment: Everything that surrounds people, such as a house, yard, etc…. Neighborhood: people who live in the same area as one another.

4. Neighborhood and Environment The teacher will explain to students the purpose of keeping the environment clean. Students will have a chance to respond to ways in which they would help to keep the environment clean. The teacher will read the story, City Green, by DiSalvo-Ryan. Discuss the character of the story, Marcy, with students and how she helped her neighbors keep the environment clean.

5. Neighborhood and Environment cont. Explain to students that the environment is everything that surrounds people, such as, a house, a barn, and a field are part of a farmer’s environment. Ask the students, “What makes up your environment?” List responses on the board. Encourage students to think of things outside and inside.

6. Keep It Clean!! The teacher will ask students the following: 1. Is your environment always clean? 2. What can you do to help keep it clean? List the students responses on the board.

7. Convey It!! Ask students to identify which responses that have been listed are most important to them. The teacher will now direct the students in making a poster showing their choice of importance on keeping the environment clean. Give students markers and crayons to draw their posters.

8. Share It!! Have students share their posters with the class. Ask students, “Why do you think this is an important idea? Display the students art work in hallway for other people to view and also to help create and reinforce to others the positive attitude toward keeping the environment clean!

9. Extend the Activity**** Send home a note to parents/guardians encouraging them to help their children plan neighborhood beautification projects. Have students share their plans with the rest of the class!!

10. Lesson Resources:Lesson Resources: www.doe.in.gov/standards www.freedictionary.com www.dep.state.pa.us A teacher’s guide to reducing, reusing and recycling. Books/Literature: City Green by: DiSalvo-Ryan We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers (A Charlie and Lola Picture Book by: Elizabeth Kennedy