Curriculum Center
The Environment: Our Earth & Its Resources
Background Information
Some people may never understand all the fuss about "saving"
the environment. What's one more or less spotted owl in a world full of
birds? Or perhaps removing trees and shrubs from the water's edge is really
a property rights issue more than a lack of understanding of how plant
buffer zones prevent nutrients, pesticides, and fertilizers from entering
and polluting our streams and rivers.
Will the environmental sky someday fall if our earth stewardship
and management practices don't improve? Yes, some say. Maybe, others tell
us. Maybe not, it is also said. No, some insist. The answers we and our
students hear are most likely rooted both in perspective and fact. Case
in point: Many biodiversity experts believe that out of 10 million species
of flora and fauna in the world today 10,000 species are becoming extinct
each year. On the other hand, there are those who continually question
such statements and any supporting evidence.
Conflicting opinions such as these point squarely to the
important role of educators play in developing a student's understanding
of ecological issues and an awareness that our planet's living resources
are often indicators of how clean the air and water are and how well man
is managing his environment. Today's students are tomorrow's decision-makers.
As such, they will determine how often limited resources are allocated
and whether efforts to "save" the environment will get their
fair share of attention and funding.
In April each year we celebrate Earth Day. This is a time
for schools and organizations throughout the world to bring an awareness
of the importance of our Earth's resources to students and as many world
citizens as possible. Although we at Apple are presenting this curricular
theme for the month of April, this is a topic that can and should certainly
be used year round in your classroom. Students need to develop an understanding
of: (1) the earth's resources, (2) the problems caused by careless use
of these resources, (3) the conflicting opinions on this topic, and (4)
how to get updated information of this topic so that they can be wise users
and stewards of the earth.
Resources for Educators
Web Site Addresses and
Descriptions of Content
Guidelines for Use of Resources
K-3
Teacher Suggestions &
Student Activities for Kindergarten through Three Students
Guidelines for Use of Resources
Grades 4-6
Teacher Suggestions &
Student Activities for Grades Four through Six Students
Guidelines for Use of Resources
Grades 7-12
Teacher Suggestions &
Student Activities for Grades Seven through Twelve Students
Adaptations for Age and Ability
Home & School Connections
Additional Environment Resources
