Renewable Natural Resources - Resources for the Future

Lesson Plan #: AELP- ENV0209

index  - stem initiative  -  cati  -  env0209

Date: December 2, 1999

Grade Level: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject(s):

• Science/Environmental Education

Description: Students study types of renewable natural resources used by Man.

Goals: As a result of this classroom and field-based study, students will demonstrate an understanding of renewable resources, types of natural resources that are renewable, the need to conserve/manage/protect renewable resources, techniques used by conservationists to manage/protect renewable resources, and ways Man uses renewable resources.

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to define the term: renewable resource(s).
2. Students will read about types of renewable resources.
3. Students will find the geographical location of selected renewable resources using atlases, maps, and globes.
4. Students will write about various types of renewable resources.
5. Students will display data about renewable resources.
6. Students will think about ways to conserve/manage/protect renewable resources.

Materials:

• community resource people in classrooms as guest speakers and as site guides
• community resource sites where renewable resources are studied
• audiovisual presentations (films, filmstrips, slides, videos)
• reference materials (print/non-print and software)
• atlases, maps, and globes

Procedure:
"What are renewable natural resources? Can they be found in the local community? What can we do with them? What can we do for them?"

In order to find answers to these questions, students use a variety of print/non-print materials such as newspapers, magazines, books, films, videos, software, and Internet sites (e.g., www.cnn.com , www.foxnews.com , www.abcnews.com , www.tnc.org The Nature Conservancy, and www.wri.org World Resources Institute) to research information.

Students visit selected field-based sites in the community/surrounding region to observe and learn about a variety of renewable natural resources and ways that they are used by Man (e.g., the production of finished goods, the generation of energy, ingredients in commercial products). Community resource people will explain ways by which these resources can be managed and harvested -- thus guaranteeing supplies of these resources into the 21st century. In the classroom, students will view audiovisual presentations that depict Man's management/use and misuses of renewable natural resources.

Assessment: Students will demonstrate their acquired knowledge about renewable natural resources in a variety of ways that can be assessed and evaluated by teachers and community resource people. For example: using data collected from a variety of classroom-based sources, students discuss the nature of renewable resources as well as ways in which they are used to benefit Man. Data derived from field-based visits are incorporated into discussions, debates, term papers, oral/visual reports, and displays (e.g., bulletin boards, tabletop dioramas). Students write articles for the local/area newspaper(s) and meet with community groups (e.g., environmentalists, nature groups, county/state agencies charged with the protection of natural resources, manufacturers, consumer groups).

Useful Internet Resources:
* The Institute for Policy Studies
http://www.ips-dc.org

* The Nature Conservancy
http://www.tnc.org

* Conservation International
http://www.conservation.org

* World Resources Institute
http://www.wri.org