Our Planet in Trouble: How Pollution Affects Us All
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about pollution and the environment.
- Talk about different types of pollution and how to stop them.
- Read about a town that had a pollution problem.
- Listen to environmental activists talk about solutions.
- Write about how individuals can help fight pollution.
Key Words:
- Pollution: Dirty or harmful substances that damage the air, water, or land.
- Air pollution: Dirty air caused by smoke, chemicals, or other things.
- Water pollution: Dirty water caused by garbage, chemicals, or other waste.
- Land pollution: Dirty land caused by garbage, chemicals, or other waste.
- Recycle: To turn old things into new things.
- Environment: The world around us, including air, water, land, plants, and animals.
Let’s Talk About It!
- What are some kinds of pollution? (Air, water, land)
- How does pollution hurt the environment and our health? (Think about dirty air making it hard to breathe, polluted water making us sick, etc.)
- What are some things we can do to reduce pollution? (Recycle, use less water, walk or bike instead of driving, etc.)
Let’s Read!
Industriaville was a city with lots of factories. The factories made things people needed, but they also created lots of pollution. The air was dirty, and the rivers were full of chemicals. The people got sick. One day, scientists came to town and helped the people understand what was happening. The people worked together to clean up their city. They used cleaner energy and made sure the factories weren’t polluting anymore. Soon, the city was healthy again.
Questions About the Story:
- What was the problem in Industriaville?
- Who helped the people understand the problem?
- What did the people do to fix the problem?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of people talking about different ways to fight pollution, like planting trees, cleaning up beaches, and using less plastic.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a town mayor. The other is an environmental activist who is worried about pollution. Have a conversation about how to make the town cleaner.
Example:
- Activist: “Mr. Mayor, the air in our town is so dirty! What are you going to do about it?”
- Mayor: “We’re working on a plan to encourage people to use public transportation more often and to plant more trees.”
Homework:
Write a short list of five things you can do to help reduce pollution.
Extra Fun:
If you can, organize a cleanup project in your neighborhood or school! Pick up trash and make your community a little cleaner.
