Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

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Nature Tribute

Lesson 5:

From Unit Philanthropic Behavior

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Group Discussions; Listening; Reflection
PHIL:	Philanthropic Act; Recycling; Service Project
SOC:	Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Community; Ecology; Environment; Natural Characteristics of Place; Nature

Purpose:

Students will increase their respect for nature through kind acts. They will discuss ecology, recycling, and how their environment affects them.

Duration:

One Thirty-Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

increase listening comprehension and use critical thinking skills.
discuss some different parts of nature.
model kind acts toward others, including animal and plant life.
carry out activities related to ecology and recycling.
explore parts of nature.
name and discuss safety and hygiene practices needed when handling garbage.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

Students will go to a park close to the school or walk around the school grounds and clean up the area by removing debris

Materials:

Trash bags
Gloves
Natural things in the school area

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

In advance, fill a wastebasket with a variety of garbage and natural objects. Hold up the wastebasket in front of the class and ask them what it is and what should be done with it. Then with a dramatic movement, dump the garbage out (on an area covered with newspaper). While wearing gloves and with the verbal help of the students, sort the garbage into categories: food, paper, natural objects, etc. Discuss what garbage is and why it is not a part of the natural environment. Ask children to name and discuss safety and hygienic practices to be observed when handling garbage.

Ask students to brainstorm a list of ways we interact with animals and plants, positive and negative. Have students give examples of kind acts they and others could do for animals. What are examples of good things for people to do related to plants? Record these suggestions on chart paper.
Have students write what they think the word nature means. Have the students share their definitions with a partner, then with the whole class. Ask them to list things that are part of nature.
Tell students that everything around us is called our environment. This includes both man-made and natural items. Ask students how their everyday lives are affected by their environment. Talk about how the things we do affect the environment around us.
Discuss the place where you are going to clean up. Talk about where it is in the community and what its role is in that place. Divide the students into groups. Each group should have a specific goal. For example, one group may pick up trash by the playground equipment. Distribute supplies (gloves, garbage bags, etc.) and go outside and clean up. After a designated amount of time, meet and reflect on the cleanup project.
Have each group plan and carry out an act of kindness to a part of nature. When the acts of kindness are complete, have the groups present their projects to the class. Discuss, as a group, how they felt after the task was done.

Assessment:

In assessing student work, check to see that the following was accomplished:

Students can distinguish between natural objects and garbage.
Ask students to draw two pictures of the same location: one damaged by a variety of garbage and pollution and the other clean and unaffected. Observe whether students illustrate the influence of garbage in a natural environment.