5-220 @ P.S.69Q                                                     April 2022

Kayt Lee - kLee37@schools.nyc.gov

 

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Introduction (Define Problem)

This year, we were introduced

to many different issues concerning how

human behavior impacts the world around us - namely, too much garbage!  

In our discussions, we said that sometimes,

it is the result of lack of knowledge

about what is happening. 

(Identify Causes)

So, let’s get teaching!

 

The Task

Imagine that our principal, Ms. Vazquez, is asking us to create  public service announcements on three levels:

 

Public Service Announcement (PSA), as defined on wikipedia, is “a message in the public interest disseminated [or spread]... to raise public awareness and change behavior.”

So, our job is to become experts on TRASH!

 

Based on the confidential survey you filled out indicating 3-4 students you feel you would work most productively with, and based on your teachers’ observations - you will be pre-assigned to work in groups of 4-5 students.  Be sure that in each activity, everyone has a role to play and responsibilities to carry out.  You will decide this among yourselves and discuss with your teachers.

 

Our goal:

 

(Gather Evidence  → Develop Solutions)

 

Addressing the three levels, you will work in groups to create a Google Slide, which will be printed and posted throughout the school building.  This will contain the two elements highlighted above.  This will reach students and teachers within the school community.

 

Next, we will compile the Slides produced by each group and hold a workshop for our families. 

 

Lastly, we will put together all our pertinent data and write a convincing and powerful letter to our local council members and our state and federal representatives urging them to act.

 

The Process

 

Keep in mind the steps we learned of the PPA:

❒   Research the impact of human activity on animals and natural habitats

      JBRPC (Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy)

      NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

 

After exploring these two sources, compile your findings using the Google Doc

❒   Cause and Effect of Daily/ Every-day Dumping

As you test your knowledge of sorting and recycling here, continue to add to your findings by listing possible solutions.

                

 

❒   Other resources to find data:

     DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and water

 

❒   YouTube Videos:

Business Insider: What Happens to NYC’s 3.2 Million Tons of Trash

      The New York Times: Where Does New York City’s Trash Go?

     Insider: How Garbage is Recycled At The US’ Largest Recycling Facility

     Business Insider: Here’s where New York City’s sewage really goes

     NowThis News: What Happens to Your Recycling After It’s Collected

     VICE: New York’s Toxic Wasteland: America’s Water Crisis (Part 1/3)

     TED Talk with Robin Nagle: What I discovered in New York City trash

     VOA News: New York City Aims to Go Fully Zero Waste by 2030

     CBS NY: NYC Focuses on Food Waste, Composting for Businesses

    

As you explore these videos, you can compile your data findings here.

 

The Evaluation

 

Ask yourself these questions:

 

❒    Did I include specific data and research information to make my work persuasive and informative in discussing the problem?

❒    Did I use powerful and specific language to communicate my ideas?

❒    Did I include solutions and alternatives to the problem?

 

Please use the rubric below to guide your creation of your poster:

 

 

Please use the Google Slide to create your group presentation.

 

New York State Education Department

       Reading Anchor Standards

       Key Ideas and Details

Standard 1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly/ implicitly and make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

       Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Standard 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats.

       Writing Anchor Standards

       Text Types and Purposes

Standard 1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Standard 5: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

       Research to Build and Present Knowledge

Standard 6: Conduct research based on focused questions to demonstrate understanding of the subject under investigation.

       Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

Standard 4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.  Ensure that the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Standard 5: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.

Standard 6: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of academic English when indicated or appropriate.

Science:

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

 

The Conclusion

 

As you may have seen in all your research, garbage is a BIG problem!  However, when we start to teach others - first in our immediate realm of influence, and then speak up more as experts - we can begin to make a real difference.

What were some of your thoughts and takeaways as you embarked on this learning and sharing experience?