Green Chemistry

Overview

Water is everywhere. Water is essential for all living organisms. Man can survive without food for weeks or even months, but without water perhaps only for days. Even the human body consists of three quarters water. ¹ The significant body parts are composed of water. The brain is composed of 70 percent water. The lungs are about 90 percent water. ² There is water in the air, water in the ground, and in food and liquids that man consumes. Basically water is one of the most important sources of life.

All living organisms need water to survive. However, we forget that fresh water will eventually be depleted if not conserved. Man is misusing water and abusing its sources. The manufacturing companies and industrial plants have poisoned the water sources such as the brooks, streams, lakes, seas and oceans. In Southeast Asia, unscrupulous fisherman use illegal means to catch fish which destroy the schools of fish and the coral reef environments. The waterfronts are no longer safe for swimming. People buy water in plastic bottles instead of drinking from tap water. The plastic bottles are discarded improperly which pollutes both land and water ways. As the human population increases, nations will face water shortages. In some communities, the use of water is restricted. We need to undo our mistakes and do something to sustain our one and only planet, Earth. Green chemistry will teach us how to use our water sources wisely.

Green Chemistry, also known as Sustainable Chemistry, is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce hazardous substances. It applies across the life cycle, including the design, manufacture, and use of chemical products. The technologies used in green chemistry provide waste reduction, safer products, less use of energy and resources, and improve competitiveness of chemical manufacturers.

When I teach science concepts to my students, I use literature to get my students engaged. Science terminologies are abstract to them. Using children's literature for each lesson makes the challenging science concepts meaningful. For instance, the book "S is for Save the Earth" is relevant to green chemistry, one of the letters in the alphabet is the letter O. The book describes the letter O in poetry form, "Letter O is for the lovely oceans ^" and states scientific facts on how important the ocean waters are on the Earth's surface. ³ It explains how plastic and toxic chemicals contaminate the rivers, lakes and oceans. The simple suggestion of bringing a trash bag with you the next time you get to the beach is doable for readers.

After reading one of the most interesting children's books, S is for Save the Planet: A How to be Green Alphabet written by Brad Herzog, you would appreciate the small things that people take for granted. It teaches children as well as adults the environmental issues that we encounter and gives simple suggestions that anyone can understand. Its goal is to teach the readers how they can be a force of nature in protecting the Earth for generations to come.

The curriculum unit is designed for second language learners in the fourth/fifth grade level. The learners are about 8-9 years old. The class consists of 75 percent Hispanic and 25 percent native speakers of English. The unit could also be modified for students in the mainstreamed class. The learners will be taught in English in reading, science, math and social studies. The unit will take about three to four teaching weeks. Reading will be integrated to teach science content. It will also include the four proficiency skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children's literature will be used to introduce the science concepts when teaching the unit. It is my hope that the curriculum unit will increase social awareness and responsibility of my students to be stronger forces of nature that will sustain and protect the Earth's resources (specifically water) and the environment. They will do simple actions that set examples and understand how to use the principles of green chemistry for their own future.

The unit will focus on the importance of water. The objective of my unit is for the students to understand the value of water in all living organisms and how green chemistry keeps our water clean and sustainable. The state standard objective is for the students to demonstrate an understanding of life science.