1. Environmental Responsibility Goals: 1. Learn about pollution and the effects it has on the environment. 2. Learn about and brainstorm ways that we can help to eliminate pollution.

2. Discuss the following questions as a group before watching a video: 1. Close your eyes and picture the ocean. What kinds of things can you find in the ocean? 2. Do you think that there is garbage in the ocean? 3. What do you think happens to the trash that is in the ocean? 4. Is there anything that we do that might contribute to the trash that is in the ocean?

3. https://vimeo.com/11704000 Copy and paste the link below into your computer browser to watch a video about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. When the video is complete, close the browser so that the next video does not play. Watch a video about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

4. Discuss the following questions after watching: 1. What is the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch?” 2. Has the Great Pacific Garbage Patch always existed? 3. What happens to the trash that has collected there? Is it bio-degradable (does it break down over time)? 4. What does the trash impact when it collects in the ocean? 5. Even though we don’t live near the ocean, is there anything we might do that contributes to the trash that ends up in the ocean?

5. Discuss the following questions before reading: 1. We know that pollution can cause damage to the water on Earth. Do you think that pollution can cause harm to anything else? Land? Air? 2. Pollution is caused by things that make the Earth’s land, air or water dirty. What kinds of things or actions create pollution?

26. Discuss the following questions after reading: 1. What are the “3 Rs?” 2. What does it mean to reduce? 3. What does it mean to reuse? 4. What does it mean to recycle? 5. How can you follow the 3 Rs to help stop pollution?

27. Emma brings her lunch in a paper sack. Jayden lets the water run while he brushes his teeth. Olivia throws her pop can in the trash. Louis leaves the lights on in the kitchen when he goes to school. Becky brings a plastic water bottle with her each day in her lunch. Helping the Earth Read the sentences on the left side of the chart. Write a sentence on the right side of the chart that shows how the children can change their behavior to better help the earth.

28. Family Name: Our family will do our part to eliminate pollution by: The Harlan 3 Rs Challenge! Fill out this leaf with your family and then commit to working on your goal each day in May. Track your family’s progress on the calendar that will be sent home! Leaves should be brought to your classroom teacher after they are filled out, and will go on a bulletin board at the front of the school. REDUCE! Recycle! Reuse!