Sequence | Background | Objectives | Materials | Activity | Extensions | Evaluations

TOPIC-TITLE Marine & Aquatic Pollution - Landfills AUTHOR Daisy Atalig Isacc Jackson Pepine Laurao Stephanie Kama Keeaina Eloise Manglona Bismarck Sebastian GRADE SUITABILITY Middle School SCOPE Coastal Ecology

Sequence This activity should follow a discussion on landfills and the impacts landfills have on a watershed. Prior watershed knowledge is also important. < < go top

Background Summary According to Greene (1998), the United States disposes of more garbage than any other nation in the world. Approximately 75% of all trash is buried in landfills. However, many cities and states are running out of areas to dispose their wastes. Incineration is one alternative to landfills. However, incinerators can be expensive and can add to air pollution. The best alternative is recycling. To make recycling programs effective, public participation is essential. concern and responsibility. < < go top Objectives Students will be able to do the following: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of landfill practices. Develop an awareness of the impact of landfills on local ecology. < < go top Materials Video on landfill development Old and new pictures of the island areas Crayons/markers Reference books VCR/TV Slides Paper < < go top Activity Initiate a class discussion to gather information about students' knowledge of landfill practices. What is a landfill? Where do they occur in your area? Show slides or a video about landfill practices. Separate students into cooperative learning groups. Have groups develop a list of what they believe are advantages and disadvantages of landfill practices. Each group should present its list to the class. Have the class combine all the information into a master list of advantages and disadvantages. A town official can be invited to talk to the students about the different types of landfills and to answer questions. This will also help the students decide a focus area for their work. The town official can provide a list of the local landfill areas. Each group should choose a landfill area to research. Student groups will use the resource materials and pictures to create a book illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of landfills that will be used as a reference for other students. < < go top Possible Extension The students could write a letter to local, state or federal representatives relative to specific views on landfill practices in their town or state. Students could research their town's recycling programs and organize a campaign to recycle in their schools and in their homes (if this has not already been accomplished). < < go top Teacher Evaluation A leader will be selected for each group. The students will create a list of jobs for each member of the group. Each member must sign on a daily work card. This verifies student participation. The group leader will sign the card and verify each student has performed his/her job for the day. These cards are submitted to the teacher on a daily bases. The grade is based on the daily participation of each student and the completed booklet. Each book should include these items: Title page (cover sheet) Table of contents Author page (students write about themselves) Contents (includes in-depth information and pictures or illustration. Eighty percent of the grade is based on this section.) Bibliography < < go top