Introduction:

       As we get closer to the summer weather, what are some of the things that you and your family like to do, to stay cool during the hot sunny days?  (Teacher displays photos of a pool, the beach and sprinklers on the Promethean Board as a visual scaffold)

That’s right, many of us will stay cool at the beach.  What do you love to do at the beach? (Turn and Talk) After students share their responses with their partner the teacher will ask: How would you feel if you could not swim or play at the beach because it was full of garbage?  

After some students share their responses with the class the teacher will explain that many people around the world are unable to go to the beach near their homes because their beaches are full of trash.  The teacher will display photos of dirty beaches around the world and say: As you can see the world needs our help.  How can you help? What can you do to teach others to keep our beaches clean?

Task:

How can you teach others to keep our beaches clean?

       Students will work in small groups (4-5 students per group) and teachers will instruct each group captain to select their groups’ task by picking a “Group Goal,” from the “Help the World,” paper bag. 

Students will then discuss and decide how their group will achieve their goal.  Groups will have the option to either create a “Beach Clean-Up Poster,” or create a Public Service Announcement Video (PSA) to teach people around the world how to clean-up our beaches.

Process:

1.   Define the Problem

2.   Gather the Evidence

3.   Identify the Causes

4.   Evaluate an Existing Policy

5.  Develop Solutions

6.  Select the Best Solution  (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

       First, during a whole group activity, students will listen to the story “Save The Ocean,” by Bethany Stahl and learn about the dangers of trash in our beaches. 

        After the story, students will discuss what they learned from the story, as teachers record their responses on a “Dangers of Trash at the Beach,” class chart (Problem).

       Next, you and your group will (Gather Evidence) use the class iPad, use books from our class library and with some teacher support, you and your group will research what is causing trash buildup at the beach. (Identify the Causes). 

       You and your group will also use these resources to find out what is currently being done to help clean-up beaches around the world.  Teachers will support students to identify current policies and actions taking place to clean-up beaches around the world. (Evaluate Existing Policies)

       Then, you and your group will review your Group Goal:

You and your team will create a Plan: How will you teach others to keep our beaches clean? (Develop Solutions)

 Teachers will guide groups create a plan by having each group answer the following questions:

Group 1-

●     How can you recycle to protect the beach?

○     What does it mean to recycle?

○     Why is recycling important?

○     What materials should people recycle?

Group 2-

●     Why should you reduce the amount of plastic that you use?

○     What is plastic?

○     Why do people use plastic?

○     What can people use instead of plastic?

Group 3-

●     How can you reuse materials to reduce trash?

○     What does it mean to reuse something?

○     What items can people reuse?

Group 4-

●     How can you reduce the amount of trash at the beach?

○     What do you do with trash at the beach?

○     Why is trash dangerous to sea animals?

Lastly, you and your group will decide what is the best way to teach others about the importance of keeping our beaches clean.  What should people around the world do to help clean-up our beaches? (Select The Best Solution)

Evaluation:

Conclusion:

       In this investigation you will learn about the dangers of trash at the beach.  After listening to informational videos, participating in whole group and small group class discussions you will understand why it’s important to keep our beaches clean.  At the end of this investigation, you and your group will create a poster or a short video to teach others how to help clean-up beaches around the world.  The planet will thank you for helping educate others about the importance of keeping our beaches clean and safe for you, your family, and others around the world.

Pre-K Standards:

Domain 1: Approaches to Learning

PK.AL.1f: Demonstrates awareness of connections between prior and new knowledge.

PK.AL.2d: Engages with peers and adults to solve problems.

Domain 4B: Communication, Language, and Literacy: English Language Arts and Literacy

PK.ELAL.18: Engages in a discussion using gather

information from an experience or provided resources (e.g., collect materials from a nature walk; record and discuss what they are).

PK.ELAL.29: Uses words and phrases acquired through language rich experiences, conversations, reading and being read to, responding to texts and child-centered, play-based experiences.

Domain 5B: Cognition and Knowledge of the World: Science

PK.SCI.5a: Observes the relationships between the physical and living environments (e.g., views habitats of plants and animals).

PK.SCI.10: Asks questions, makes observations and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

Domain 5C: Cognition and Knowledge of the World: Social Studies

PK.SOC.3d: Recognizes that all children and adults have roles, rights, and responsibilities at home, school and in the community.