On a map of the United States, students list the special features of each type of home described by the groups. Students observe houses in their school's neighborhood. Groups collect pictures of houses from magazines and create Venn diagrams. Students determine which design might be most appropriate in the vicinity of their school, based on local climatic conditions. The class prepares milk cartons for Lesson 12.
People use and affect natural resources.
Students listen to the story, Just A Dream, by Chris Van Allsburg, and identify some of the ways people affect natural resources. Cooperative groups conduct several pollution detection investigations, such as trapping particles from the air and testing water for pH, clarity, and bacteria content. Groups perform a soil compaction test, look for evidence of erosion on the school grounds, and collect and classify litter. They locate some news articles concerning natural resources in the community and share these with the class. Students examine the use of minerals by people.