Lesson 6: Waste Not-Want Not

Objective

1. To understand and appreciate the value of our natural resources.
2. To understand the value of responsible choices in protecting our natural resources.
3. To understand the stresses that a vast population places on natural resources.
4. To understand that wise use of wood --nature's only renewable, recyclable, energy efficient, and biodegradable resource-- lessens the stress on all our other natural resources.
5. To understand that each of us has choices to make in how to use natural resources. It is up to us not to waste what we have and to make sure that what we use is renewable, whenever possible.

Skills

1. Consumer Awareness
2. Ecology
3. Natural Science
4. History
5. Reading
6. Association

Vocabulary

Renewable

Having the capability of replenishing itself

Recyclable

Being able to be utilized again, often by being restructured into something else

Biodegradable

Being able to be broken down or decomposed by natural means

Natural Resources

Things we use that come from the earth

Landfills

Places in our communities where garbage is unloaded and then covered over with dirt and packed down

Decay

The coming apart or rotting of organic material

Decompose

To decay or come apart

Compost

A collection of organic scraps and garbage that decays and becomes good fertilizer

Focus

1. Establish the concept of individual responsiblity by discussing with the students what are some natural resources. See the examples below:

• minerals
• water
• trees
• ores

What are are people in the cities and in the contryside doing to protect natural resources?

• Being careful not to waste water
• Buying things that can be recycled
• Recycling at home
• Conserving energy at home by turning out lights when not in a room
• Raising the thermostat in winter
• Planting trees thta lose their leaves in autumn so they will give shade in summer and let the sun through in winter
• Insulating the house well

What are the students in the class, along with their families, doing to protect our natural resouces?

• Recycling in the classroom and at work
• Planting trees on the school grounds
• Using both sides of the paper
• Sharing books and other resouces

How does Mother Nature recycle?

By decomposing things that have died or come apart

2. Have the students read the selection "Waste Not-Want Not" to establish the concept of responsible usage and disposal of things in our society. Preface the reading by asking them to guess what the title means. To what does it refer?

In Colonial times this was a way of saying that if we don't waste things that we have, they will be there for us when we need them.

3. After reading the selection, have the students use the circled words in the story to help unscramble the words in the review puzzle for Lesson 6.

Other Materials Needed:

Student Vocabulary List

Review Puzzle

Puzzle Answers

"Waste Not-Want Not"