Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
This lesson will allow the learners to experience the human impact on ecosystems by participating in an event-based investigation.
Duration:
One- Forty-Five Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- analyze ideas from literature.
- understand the interdependence of organisms on the Earth.
- increase their understanding of how humans affect an animal’s ecosystem.
- brainstorm ways to clean up an ecosystem.
- analyze ideas from literature.
Materials:
- Container of motor oil
- Large clear container of water
- Wooden craft sticks, ice cream sticks, or feathers
Teacher Note: Be mindful that feathers are consider sacred by some Native American people. The use of certain kinds of feathers for this purpose might be considered offensive, however for the purpose of this lesson, a feather (goose, duck, or chicken feather) is suggested to demonstrate as closely as possible the affects of oil on birds' feathers. - Book: The Exxon Valdez: Tragic Oil Spill
- Copies of Attachment One, Understanding An Oil Spill for each learner
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Show the learners a clear container of motor oil. Ask the learners how they think the oil is used. How might the oil be transported from the ground to places where it can be refined and distributed around the world? Tell the learners that this motor oil is going to represent unrefined or crude oil like the oil that is carried by tankers to different parts of the world. Access the learners’ prior knowledge of oil and how it is transported by allowing a few minutes of discussion.
- Slowly pour the motor oil into the clear container of water. Ask the learners to observe what is happening.
- Ask: What happens to the oil? (It floats on the surface of the water.)
- Dip a wooden craft stick or feather into the oil and have the learners observe what happens. (The oil adheres to the sick.)
- Ask: What conclusion can you develop about water and oil? (They don’t mix.) What conclusion can you develop about the craft stick or feather and the oil? Introduce the book The Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill. Read selected excerpts from the book that relate directly to how the Exxon Valdez caused the oil spill in Alaska. Teacher's Note: Preview the book before sharing it with the learners. This is a lengthy and detailed book. Choose short sections that deal with the oil spill, the harm that was done to the environment and how volunteers traveled from all over the world to help clean up the spill that washed onto shore and to clean the oil off the animals.
- Hand out Understanding An Oil Spill work sheet (See Attachment One).
- Ask the learners to respond to the questions on the handout independently.
- After a reasonable amount of time, discuss the learners’ answers as a group.
- Point out that many volunteers traveled at their own expense to Prince William Sound, Alaska to help with the on shore clean up.
Assessment:
Subjectively assess learners’ participation in the class discussion. Collect the worksheets and correct them for completeness
Extension:
Ask the learners to write a story about an imaginary animal that has been affected by an oil spill like the Exxon Valdez.
Bibliographical References:
- Schouweiler, Thomas. The Exxon-Valdez Oil Spill. Lucent Books, 1991. ISBN: 1560060166
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
David WallsHolton Public Schools
Holton Middle School
Holton, MI 49425
Jessica Wagenmaker
Holton Public Schools
Holton Middle School
Holton, MI 49425
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Understanding An Oil Spill
Name: ________________________
Answer the following questions.
1. Where in the United States did the big spill from the Exxon Valdez occur?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. How did the oil spill happen?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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3. How was the wildlife in that area affected by the spilled oil?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. What are some ways an oil spill can be cleaned up?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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5. How can oil spills like this one be prevented from happening again?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Contents:
Overview:Oil Changes Everything Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Oil, Oil Everywhere
- 2.
- Oil + Water = A Mess
- 3.
- Oil + Water + Wildlife = A Real Mess
- 4.
- Oil + Water + Students= Knowledge
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