Analyze the impact of natural and human-induced changes to the
characteristics and distribution of water in local, regional, and
national ecosystems. (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and
Evaluate)
Adam Krammer
Science Grade 8
Topic: The effects of pollution Class: Grade 8: 8
Date: 2010
Description of Lesson: Students will be able to make connections with why
pollution is such an issue in today’s society. They will be doing an experiment
and collecting data to explain what is happening and why!
 Students will do the “Acid Rain” experiment in groups of 3-4 and will need
to take pictures as to what is happening. They will be responsible to
explore this at a later time. (10-15 min)
 Students will then move to the computer lab to upload their photos to a
file. From here the group will pick a picture that best represents what was
happening. They will then use the “Voice Thread” program to show a
better understanding of what was happening and why it is relating to real
life situations. (40-50 min)
Objectives:
Knowledge: Developing a deeper
understanding of the importance of
not littering. They will also be able to
better relate why exhaust and other
pollutants that enter the air effect the
environment.
Evaluation:
Having students use information
gathered by doing the lab
experienment they will be able to see
the negative effects that acid rain has
on buildings and life forms.
Students will have to create a Voice
Skills/Processes: students will be able Thread presentation in regards to
to see why pollutants in the air are
what is happening to the piece of
such a hazard to our environment.
chalk and why this represents real life
as well. (Instructions below)
Attitudes/Appreciations: Developing a
more in depth understanding on why
Marks will be given out for this
we should be concerned about the air assignment based on the knowledge
supply and keeping it clean. They will obtained from the experiment and
see that we as humans are making a how the students can relate this back
tougher life to maintain when we
into real life situations.
pollute the air.
Materials/Resources:
 Access to a computer lab with Voice Thread software
 Jug of vinegar
**Lesson Plan idea came from Both Voice Thread Software and Columbia Education
Center
http://voicethread.com/
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci208.txt
Analyze the impact of natural and human-induced changes to the
characteristics and distribution of water in local, regional, and
national ecosystems. (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and
Evaluate)
Adam Krammer
 4-5 pieces of chalk
 Safety goggles for each student

Procedure: Students will work in groups of 3-4 to preform the experiment taking
pictures through the entire process. Once it is completed they will more to the
computer lab to upload photos onto a computer. They will then create a Voice
Thread in regards to what they learned. (each student must make a comment of
2-3 minutes each)
The following link is to Voice Thread website and is free to join and comment on.
Please have a look at this so you know what to expect.
http://voicethread.com/?#q.b1192.i13696
Lab Activity
TITLE:
"IT'S EATING AWAY AT YOU"
AUTHOR:
Judy Grunke, Weiser Middle School;
Weiser, Idaho (borrowed from Falma Moye)
GRADE LEVEL:
TIME:
6-8, Earth or Physical Science
30 minutes--set-up, experiment, and discussion.
OVERVIEW: Acid rain is a major pollutant in the world
today. This activity is designed to show the effect of
acid rain on rock, edifices, and sculptures.
PURPOSE:
rock.
To show the effect of acid rain on limestone
OBJECTIVE(s): The student will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate, using chalk and vinegar solution, the
chemical reaction of acid on limestone.
**Lesson Plan idea came from Both Voice Thread Software and Columbia Education
Center
http://voicethread.com/
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci208.txt
Analyze the impact of natural and human-induced changes to the
characteristics and distribution of water in local, regional, and
national ecosystems. (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and
Evaluate)
Adam Krammer
2.
Explain what happens in this process.
3.
Identify the compounds used in the reaction and
the gas which is given off.
4.
Tell where acid rain originates.
5.
Explain the effect of acid rain on limestone
buildings and statuary.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
CLASS: Textbook, acid rain
FOR EACH LAB GROUP:
 vinegar solution
 chalk
 eye dropper
 pan to set chalk in and to catch vinegar
ACTIVITY AND PROCEDURES:
1.
Place a piece of chalk in pan.
2.
Using an eyedropper, have one student drop vinegar
onto the chalk in a constant stream.
3.
Observe the fizzing on the surface of the chalk
when the vinegar is dropped.
4.
Notice the crumbling of the chalk.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
1.
Students can research the causes (man-made and
volcanic eruptions) of acid rain and efforts to
protect valuable buildings and statues.
2.
Students can use the vinegar residue to
demonstrate what happens to the dissolved material
from chemical erosion by placing a small piece of
basalt in the vinegar solution. (As vinegar
evaporates, the dissolved material from the chalk
precipitates to form a white mineral
residue--caliche--on the surface.)
**• Air pollution is a major cause of acid rain. When rain becomes more
acidic than normal it can damage soil, water, building materials, plants,
**Lesson Plan idea came from Both Voice Thread Software and Columbia Education
Center
http://voicethread.com/
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci208.txt
Analyze the impact of natural and human-induced changes to the
characteristics and distribution of water in local, regional, and
national ecosystems. (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and
Evaluate)
Adam Krammer
animals, and humans.
• Chalk is made from calcium carbonate (CaCO3)/calcite.
• In this activity the vinegar, which is acidic, reacts with the chalk forming
carbon dioxide gas (the bubbles you see during the reaction are the
carbon dioxide gas forming), water, and another calcium compound.
• The remaining material no longer looks like the original chalk.
• The chalk remains the same in the water.
• This simple experiment demonstrates the effects of acid rain on
limestone or calcium carbonate-containing statues and buildings.
• The acid rain dissolves the calcium carbonate causing the surfaces to
become rough and the intricate detail of the statue/building to be lost."
Source and further information:
http://peer.tamu.edu/NSF_Files/tk.asp?file=AcidRain1_resultstable||doc&id
=185
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1302669
**Lesson Plan idea came from Both Voice Thread Software and Columbia Education
Center
http://voicethread.com/
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci208.txt