Our Planet, Our Home: How to Take Care of It
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about the environment and keeping it healthy.
- Talk about why it’s important to protect the planet.
- Read about a family that lives without making much trash.
- Listen to a conversation about new inventions for a greener future.
- Write a letter asking for help to make your community more eco-friendly.
Key Words:
- Environment: The world around us, including air, water, land, plants, and animals.
- Sustainability: Living in a way that protects the Earth for future generations.
- Zero-waste: Making as little garbage as possible.
- Recycle: To turn old things into new things.
- Compost: To turn food scraps into dirt that helps plants grow.
- Renewable energy: Energy from sources that don’t run out, like the sun and wind.
Let’s Talk About It!
- What are some things that can hurt the environment? (Examples: pollution, cutting down trees, using too much water.)
- Why is it important to protect the environment? (Clean air and water, healthy animals and plants, a safe place to live.)
- What are some easy things we can do to help the environment? (Recycle, use less water, turn off lights, walk or bike instead of driving.)
Let’s Read!
The Green family is a zero-waste family! They make almost no trash. They bring their own bags to the store, use reusable water bottles, and compost their food scraps. They even ride bikes to work and school. They’re doing their part to protect the planet!
Questions about the Story:
- How does the Green family make less trash?
- What are some other things they do to help the environment?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of scientists talking about new inventions that can help us be more sustainable.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a person who wants to live a more sustainable life. The other is giving suggestions.
Example:
- Person 1: “I want to make less trash, but I don’t know where to start.”
- Person 2: “You could start by bringing your own bags to the grocery store and using a reusable water bottle.”
Homework:
Write a letter to your mayor or local leader. Ask them to help your community become more eco-friendly. What changes would you like to see?
Extra Fun:
If you can, start your own compost bin at home! Or, find a local park or beach that needs cleaning up and volunteer to help.
