Class 401 - Mrs. Woerter
Lighthouse Elementary
Far Rockaway, N.Y.
Spring 2025
Garbage…
It’s EVERYWHERE. What can we do about
it?
Our Community surrounding Lighthouse Elementary School is riddled with litter on a daily basis. What can we do to clean up our area and keep it clean?
Task:
Trash is a serious problem in the community surrounding Lighthouse Elementary School. We need to get to the bottom of this serious problem. I hope you are ALL IN! You will be completing a WebQuest that will lead you to being a true advocate for the environment and the community. With YOUR help, we can get the whole community involved in keeping our area clean.
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Task 1: You will create a poster persuading the surrounding community to come together to take action against the constant littering and dumping of trash in the area.
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Task 2: You will create a letter that is to be addressed to the community to be sent out on Class Dojo informing them about the dangers of littering.
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Process:
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1. Identify the Problem: After you complete this portion of the assignment, we will be breaking out into 5 groups that you will be assigned to. You will complete all of the other tasks in your assigned group. Class Discussion - What do you notice about the neighborhood when you walk to school?
*Record your noticings on the PPA worksheet question #1.
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2. Gather the Evidence: How do we know the problem exists? Click the first link to review the story we read in class, How Can We Reduce Household Waste? Then watch the next two videos and discuss your noticings with your group. Record your noticings on the PPA worksheet question #2. Use the “Synthesize” anchor chart - use what you know, and what you learned to formulate a new understanding.
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3. Identify the Causes
https://www.osha.com/blog/improper-waste-disposal
WE NEED TO KNOW WHY??? |
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5. Evaluate Existing Policy Read the following two articles and watch the video with Mayor Adams that explain existing policy regarding trash in New York City. - Do these policies work? - Can we change the policy to be more effective? - Should we create a new policy that will improve the garbage issue surrounding our school?
*Alternate Side of the Street Parking
Record your findings on the PPA worksheet #4.
Click Here
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6. Develop Solutions
What can we do to clean up the area? After we clean up the area, how can we maintain it? (keep it clean)
You will now write a well-organized letter promoting the clean up campaign that will be sent out to the school community on Class Dojo. Be sure to include: 1. Your concerns for the community 2. Your idea for the clean-up 3. Promote your new policy to keep the community clean.
In order to complete this task you must: ● Complete the graphic organizer: ■ Give your letter a title - be sure to “hook the reader” - Give them a reason to read on. ■ In the first paragraph you will introduce the problem then talk about why the litter is bad for the environment - be specific. Use the information we learned in the text in class. ■ Second paragraph will be where you describe your proposal for cleanup and for keeping the area clean. Again, be specific. ■ Third paragraph: thank the school community for their anticipated help and describe how this will help our environment.
Refer to the following organizer and example letter to help you write your letter |
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7. Select the Best Solution You will work with your group to select the best solution. Complete #5 on the PPA worksheet. After you have selected the best solution with your group, you will create a poster promoting your solution.
Your poster MUST include: 1. A slogan that is going to “grab the reader”. The slogan must be large and easy to read. 2. ALL group members must create their own sketches first and then, as a team, decide what the group’s design will include. 3. Include graphics or drawings that illustrate what you would like the public to do to support the cause. 4. Vibrant colors: Think of the use of warm and cool or contrasting colors to make certain items “pop”.
This attached video will help you to create your poster… https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8mLszjZXKOo
Conclusion: We have done a fabulous job advocating for a clean and healthy environment. Now, groups will share out their posters with the class. We will then present them to Ms. Johnson, our principal, to post in class dojo and print and post outside of our school to encourage the community to get involved!
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Rubrics:
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STANDARDS:
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Standards |
4R1: Locate and refer to relevant details and evidence when explaining what a text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences
4R3: In informational texts, explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts, including what happened and why, based on specific evidence from the text.
4R5: In informational texts, identify the overall structure using terms such as sequence, comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution.
4W1: Write an argument to support claim, using clear reasons and relevant evidence |