Chemistry of Everyday Things

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 11.05.08

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale
  3. Strategies
  4. Pollution
  5. What are Plastic Water Bottles and Bags made of?
  6. Where does paper come from?
  7. Landfills
  8. Plastic bags in the environment
  9. Reducing the use of PET Water Bottles
  10. Recycling PET plastics and Polyethylene Plastic Bags
  11. Recycling, Reusing, or Disposing of Paper Products
  12. Appendix A: Endnotes
  13. Appendix B: Students Sources and Classroom Resources
  14. Appendix C: Implementing District Standards
  15. Appendix D: Student Activities

Trash – Seriously!

Ellen Shackelford

Published September 2011

Tools for this Unit:

Appendix C: Implementing District Standards

DE Science #1: Nature and Application of Science and Technology

Generate focused questions and informed predictions about the natural world.

Use mathematics, reading, writing, and technology when conducting scientific inquiries.

DE Science #2: Materials and Their Properties

Materials exist throughout our physical world. The structures of materials influence their physical properties, chemical reactivity and use.

Strand 1: Properties and Structure of Materials

Observable physical properties can be used to classify materials.

Many materials can be recycled and used again (sometimes in different forms).

DE Science #6: Life Processes

The natural world is defined by organisms and life processes which conform to principles regarding conservation and transformation of matter and energy. Living organisms use matter and energy to build their structures and conduct their life processes, have mechanisms and behaviors to regulate their internal environments and to respond to changes in their surroundings. Knowledge about life processes can be applied to improving human health and well being.

Life Processes and Technology Applications

Short term and long term studies are used to determine the effects of environmental changes (natural and man-made) on the health of the organisms within that environment.

DE Science # 8: Ecology

Organisms are linked to one another in an ecosystem by the flow of energy and the cycling of materials. Humans are an integral part of the natural system and human activities can alter the stability of ecosystems.

Interactions within the Environment

Human Impact

Human activities may cause pollution of air, water and soil.

Different technologies are used to access resources to meet human wants and needs. In many cases the environment is affected and resources become limited.

DE ELA #1: Students will use written and oral English appropriate for various purposes and audiences.

DE Math #3 (5–8) – Geometric Reasoning: Find the volume of an object

This unit addresses all of the above standards in Science, English Language Arts, and Math. The students will examine the physical properties of polymers and paper (Sc. #2). They will analyze the effects of plastics and paper within the environment on other organisms (Sc. #6). Students will analyze and evaluate the impact of plastics and paper on the environment (Sc. #8). They will use mathematics to find the volume of the room to visualize the volume of paper (M #3). And finally, they will evaluate their action by means of a persuasive paper (ELA #1).

Appendix D: Student Lesson Details

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