Rationale for Instructional Strategies and Student Activities:
Our school site team at MCHS decided to create unit about the Environment because it is an important element for students to understand and it also falls into content standards for Spanish and Science. We think that teachers should work collaboratively to link subjects that are requirements for multiple subjects to encourage students to make connections. By participating in this unit, students will learn how our actions impact the environment in ways that both help and hurt the environment. Students will have an opportunity to reconnect with their local environment and observe human effects on natural ecosystems, as well as brainstorm ideas to reduce some of the current issues that are damaging our planet. They will learn that everyone needs to take ownership in protecting the environment and preserving our Earth for future generations.
By focusing on their community environmental issues, they will be able to see the relevance of environmental conservation in their daily lives. As part of this ITU, the students in science and Spanish classes will work together to create awareness about the environmental issues within the diverse community at MCHS, with almost 15% hispanic students through two main activities -
1. They will participate in one hour of environmental clean-up activities within the San Diego community. Through this work, the students will be become empowered, active citizens as they learn, practice and reflect on their work.
2. They will create posters in English or Spanish and display them in the Library as well as multipurpose room, to spread the idea to the parents and visitors and, hence, the community outside school.
Enduring Understandings
1. Students will understand that natural resources, no matter how abundant they seem, are scarce and finite.
2. Students will understand the environmental impacts of producing waste.
3. Students will understand the economic impact of producing waste.
4. Students will understand that ecosystems undergo major changes as a result of such factors as climate change, introduction of new species, and habitat destruction. These can be the result of natural processes and/ or human impact.
5. Students will understand that people manage the Earth and its resources by preservation, conservation, appropriate utilization, and restoration. The complexity and interaction of these ecosystems requires individual and collaborative efforts on a local, regional, national, and international scale.
6. Students will understand that part of becoming an environmentally aware citizen entails literacy and critical thinking skills in order to make informed decisions. They will also understand that citizens hold great power in shaping their communities.
Essential Questions
1. What constitutes an environmentally aware citizen? Why is being an environmentally aware citizen important?
2. How do our choices as consumers and waste producers affect our environment?
3. Where do natural resources come from? How are they gathered?
4. How does our use of natural resources impact the quality of the environment?
5. Why is recycling important?
6. What should the government do to help curb the act of littering in our community?
7. How have human activities affected our local ecosystems?
8. How can using statistical analysis help us make decisions regarding our environment?
9. What role does literacy play in the process of becoming a “green” citizen? How does being a "green" citizen affect our community?
10. What can students at MCHS do to help preserve the environment?
By focusing on their community environmental issues, they will be able to see the relevance of environmental conservation in their daily lives. As part of this ITU, the students in science and Spanish classes will work together to create awareness about the environmental issues within the diverse community at MCHS, with almost 15% hispanic students through two main activities -
1. They will participate in one hour of environmental clean-up activities within the San Diego community. Through this work, the students will be become empowered, active citizens as they learn, practice and reflect on their work.
2. They will create posters in English or Spanish and display them in the Library as well as multipurpose room, to spread the idea to the parents and visitors and, hence, the community outside school.
Enduring Understandings
1. Students will understand that natural resources, no matter how abundant they seem, are scarce and finite.
2. Students will understand the environmental impacts of producing waste.
3. Students will understand the economic impact of producing waste.
4. Students will understand that ecosystems undergo major changes as a result of such factors as climate change, introduction of new species, and habitat destruction. These can be the result of natural processes and/ or human impact.
5. Students will understand that people manage the Earth and its resources by preservation, conservation, appropriate utilization, and restoration. The complexity and interaction of these ecosystems requires individual and collaborative efforts on a local, regional, national, and international scale.
6. Students will understand that part of becoming an environmentally aware citizen entails literacy and critical thinking skills in order to make informed decisions. They will also understand that citizens hold great power in shaping their communities.
Essential Questions
1. What constitutes an environmentally aware citizen? Why is being an environmentally aware citizen important?
2. How do our choices as consumers and waste producers affect our environment?
3. Where do natural resources come from? How are they gathered?
4. How does our use of natural resources impact the quality of the environment?
5. Why is recycling important?
6. What should the government do to help curb the act of littering in our community?
7. How have human activities affected our local ecosystems?
8. How can using statistical analysis help us make decisions regarding our environment?
9. What role does literacy play in the process of becoming a “green” citizen? How does being a "green" citizen affect our community?
10. What can students at MCHS do to help preserve the environment?