THE ENVIRONMENT - Part 3

FOCUS QUESTION

Why is it important to care for the environment?

SPECIFIC OBJS.

1.   Justify the importance of conserving the natural environment.

2. Show concern for the impact of human on environment

3. Observe, collect and record information regarding the interacting factors within the environment.

CONTENT SUMMARY

ENGAGE

Students will read the cartoon below, after which a discussion will ensue as to what the cartoon is about and who has a positive attitude towards preserving the environment. They will tell of the uses/value of plants in the environment orally.

Story board 1                                        Storyboard 2

EXPLORE

Watch youtube video clip (Importance of plants to humans and animals -) They will glean important information in their groups about their uses, how they are abused, and how humans can protect /preserve them.

Apart from being cut down, what are some other ways in which trees are destroyed.

What is happening in the picture below?

What problems can this practice cause?

List some other reasons why trees are often cut down?

What can humans do to save our trees?

Let's read the information in the CONTENT SUMMARY to glean information on deforestation.

EXPLAIN

Explain what deforestation is, the reason for deforestation and how it can be prevented.

EXTEND/ELABORATE

I need you to identify an area in your community. Draw  a map or take a picture of the area, identify environmental problem/s, and develop ways to solve the problem/s.

Importance of plants.

Importance of plants.

EVALUATION

1. Examine the storyboard below. Express your views about the conversation in one paragraph.

   Story board

2. Examine the picture below and explain what environmental problems can arise as a result of the practice. 

3. Below are information from two sources on deforestation. Read them carefully, then answer the questions that follow.

Source 1

Source 2

Deforestation is the cutting down or clearing of forests, often to make space for farming, building, or logging. One main cause is the demand for land to grow crops and raise animals, while another is the need for wood as fuel or materials. The effects of deforestation are serious: it destroys the homes of animals, leading to loss of biodiversity, reduces the amount of clean air since fewer trees are available to absorb carbon dioxide, and can cause soil erosion and flooding. Over time, it also contributes to climate change, making the Earth hotter and less balanced.

Use a [ü] to indicate the correct response for the statements below.

STATEMENTS	Supported by Source 1	Supported by source 2	Supported by both sources
Deforestation can lead to soil erosion
One method of  deforestation is slash and burn
Deforestation can cause famine
Deforestation can contribute to climate change

Follow up Practice Exercises

Activity 1

Activity 2

Activity 3

Activity 4

Activity 5

Activity 6

Grade 6 Science – 5E Lesson Plan

Topic: Environment

Focus Question: Why is it important to care for the environment?

Duration: 1 hour

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Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Justify the importance of conserving the natural environment.

2. Show concern for the impact of humans on the environment.

3. Observe, collect, and record information regarding the interacting factors within the environment.

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Materials/Resources

• Chart paper, markers

• Tablets or laptops (for STEM research activity)

• Sample images of local natural environments

• Worksheet: Environmental Observation Log

• Video clip on human impact on the environment (e.g., pollution, deforestation)

• Recyclable materials (for optional hands-on extension)

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5E Instructional Model

Engage (5–7 minutes)

Activity: Show a short video (2–3 minutes) highlighting human impact on the environment (pollution, deforestation, overfishing, etc.).
Ask:

• What are some things you noticed?

• How do these things affect the environment and people?

• Why do you think we should care about this?

🔄 Purpose: To activate prior knowledge and generate curiosity.

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Explore (10–12 minutes)

STEM Activity: "Eco Walk – Observation & Data Collection"

• Students work in pairs and use tablets (or clipboards if tech is unavailable) to observe an area on the school compound (e.g., garden, garbage area, trees).

• They will complete a worksheet to record interacting factors like:

  • Presence of animals/insects

  • Types of plants

  • Human activity/effects (e.g., litter, broken branches)

  • Weather conditions

💡 Differentiation:

• High-level learners extend by classifying biotic/abiotic factors.

• Support learners get guiding questions and picture-based prompts.

• Use a printed template with icons for ELL or students with language challenges.

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Explain (10–12 minutes)

Discussion & Notes

• Bring class together to discuss what they observed.

• Use a T-chart: Human Impact vs. Natural Interactions

• Introduce or reinforce the definition of environment, natural vs. human-made impact, and the importance of conservation.

• Students summarize key points in their notebooks.

🧠 Teacher prompts:

• How do plants and animals depend on each other?

• What happens when humans interfere?

• Why should we protect these relationships?

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Elaborate (15 minutes)

STEM Design Challenge (Mini):
Students brainstorm ways to reduce human impact based on their observation.

• In small groups, they design a simple solution (poster or model idea) for one issue they observed (e.g., a compost bin, trash sorting station, awareness poster).

• Present briefly (1–2 minutes each).

✏️ Differentiation:

• Group roles: designer, writer, speaker (assigned based on strengths).

• Visual aids and sentence starters provided.

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Evaluate (10 minutes)

Three-Tier Assessment

Tier	Task	Purpose
Tier 1	Match and label interacting environmental factors from a diagram.	Checks basic understanding of environment
Tier 2	Write a short paragraph justifying why it's important to conserve the environment.	Evaluates comprehension and reasoning
Tier 3	Use observation data to propose one way their school can reduce environmental harm.	Assesses application and higher-order thinking

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Closure (1–2 minutes)

Revisit the focus question: "Why is it important to care for the environment?"
Ask for 2–3 volunteers to share their ideas.

Encourage students to reflect on:

• One thing they observed

• One way they can help the environment this week

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Home Extension (Optional)

Ask students to observe their home/community environment and identify one human activity affecting nature. Record it and bring a picture or description for the next class.