Science
Human Impact
Content/Topic
In this lesson students will learn about the impact we have on soil, through
pesticides, herbicides, and garbage pollution. Students will take part in a visual
demonstration at the front where I will attach pictures of animals and plants
found in the soil and then over top place all of the human impacts onto a
balloon. The students will then play a pollution game to learn more about each
of the three types of pollution
Teaching Strategy and/or Strategy
The balloon activity provides students a good visual as to how our soil is
impacted. In addition, through the balloon activity I hope that it is a good
visual for students to see that the soil can only take so much human impact
before it ‘pops’. By having the students take part in a pollution game they are
able to learn more about the types of pollution in a fun manner. My role in this
lesson is to let the students play the game and answer any questions if they
arise.
Outcomes
Grade 3
March 31, 2014
Equipment/ Materials
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Balloon
Pictures of pollution
Pictures of plants and animals in
soil
Board game page
Questions page
Description page
Classroom Management
When it is time to put the pictures on
the balloon I will have it up at the
front so all students can see. I will
warn students before I pop the
balloon so they can cover their ears
and not scream. For the activity I will
circulate the classroom and go over all
instructions before starting. I will also
hand out the board game pages after I
have explained the instructions.
ES3.2 Analyze the interdependence between soil and living things, including
the importance of soil for individuals, society, and all components of the
environment
Indicators
h. Suggest sustainable practices (e.g., composting and fertilizing) that can affect
soils positively and reduce or prevent harmful effects such as compaction and
contamination of soils.
Prerequisite Learning (if necessary):
Understanding of the organisms that live in soil and the importance of soil itself.
Evaluation/Assessment:
The students game boards will be taken in for evaluation. They need to have the right answer for what pollution finished first,
second, and third. This page will be out of 5 marks. Three for answering and two for participation and staying on task.
Human Impact
1
Set: (estimated time__15 min__)
Review with the students the importance of animals in the soil and the importance of soil. Ask the students what worms do for the
soil and why soil is important. Then explain to the students how humans pollute the soil, which affects the soil and animals. Write
on the board Herbicides, Pesticides, and Garbage Pollution. Ask the students if any of them know what these three types of
pollution are. If not write a description beside them.
Then I will blow up a balloon. The students will be looking at pollution of soil. The balloon represents the soil. Tell the students
you are showing how our pollution is pushing the soil to the limit. After all of the pictures have been added explain to the students
that the soil has been so polluted that the animals and plants that rely on it are being harmed. Let go or pop the balloon and ask the
students if the soil (balloon) can be put back together.
Development: (estimated time___30 min__)
The students will then play a pollution game in partners. Each set of partners will get a description page, the question page, and a
game board page. The students will work together to get their pieces from the start to finish. The pieces will start at the start line.
Then taking turns the partners will read the question and find on the description page if that is a herbicide, pesticide, or garbage
pollution. Whichever one it is means that they move their piece up one space. Once the first piece has made it to the finish they
will record it underneath in the question. They have to get all three pieces to the finish. In playing this game it gives students a fun
way of learning about three of the types of soil pollution.
Closure: (estimated time____10 min___)
Students will clean up from the activity and hand in their game boards, questions, and descriptions. If time, briefly go over
herbicides, pesticides, and garbage pollution and what the students learned.
Adaptive Dimension:
In having the balloon activity it will be a good visual for the students. The board game is a good hands on activity for all of the
students and especially Peyton. On the descriptions I have included pictures for Tomi and Prince so they can see what pesticides,
herbicides, and garbage pollution look like.
Professional Plan/Target:
My professional plan is to work on student motivation and engagement. I want to get the students to be enthusiastic and
committed to understanding how we impact the soil.
Human Impact
2