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Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse
Garbology
Lesson Description:
Students first analyze typical contents of a North American trash can in order to define "luxury" and "necessity" for themselves. They read a short article about trash typically found in a modern dump in North Ameria. Using information from this reading, students will draw conclusions about how these artifacts reflect the lifestyle of those who used and disposed of the items.
Students will:
Students first analyze typical contents of a North American trash can in order to define "luxury" and "necessity" for themselves. They read a short article about trash typically found in a modern dump in North Ameria. Using information from this reading, students will draw conclusions about how these artifacts reflect the lifestyle of those who used and disposed of the items.
Students will:
- Engage in a critical analysis of consumption
- Examine trends of modern disposal of materials goods in the United States
- Analyze ways in which consumption choies reflect people's lifestyle and culture
Lesson Type:
- Group Work
Sustainability Topic:
- Waste Reduction
Time Needed:
45 minutes
45 minutes
Standards Addressed:
National Council for the Social Studies
National Science Education Standards
National Council for the Social Studies
- I Culture
- III People, Places, and Environments
- VII Production, Distribution, and Consumption
National Science Education Standards
- A Science as Inquiry
- F Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
Materials Needed:
- Reused plastic or paper bags, each with a small assortment of "trash" materials, such as an empty beverage container, a magazine, a packaged food container, a household battery, and an intact piece of fruit - 1 bag per group of 4 students (Note: All items should be clean. Also, each bag does not need to contain identical items.)
- Handout: Buried Treasure, 1 per student or pair
- Optional: Computer access for showing Story of Stuff segment
Submitted By:
Facing the Future
Facing the Future
School or Group:
Facing the Future (www.facingthefuture.org)
Facing the Future (www.facingthefuture.org)
Contact Email:
office@facingthefuture.org
office@facingthefuture.org
Notes:
See entire unit at https://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/PreviewandBuyCurriculum/tabid/550/CategoryID/16/List/1/Level/a/ProductID/1/Default.aspx
See entire unit at https://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/PreviewandBuyCurriculum/tabid/550/CategoryID/16/List/1/Level/a/ProductID/1/Default.aspx
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Located in: Science | Social Studies
