Shelby Gallis & Nicole Yencho

Unit Rationale
This unit is entitled, Effects of and Solutions for Pollution and is
designed for second grade students. This unit will integrate many academic
disciplines while teaching the students about the effects of pollution on the
land, water, air, and on humans. It will also inform students on ways in which
they can prevent and reduce the amount of pollution in their environment.
Throughout the unit students will engage in a variety of exercises to
enhance their learning. The students will be introduced to the topic of
pollution. First students will discover the effects of pollution on land by
engaging in an interactive recycling activity on the SmartBoard. Next
students will recognize differences in clean and polluted air while working in
groups and afterwards share their findings in a class discussion. Then the
students will explore how pollutants affect bodies of water by doing an oil
spill experiment. After that, the students will research the negative health
effects of pollution on humans and wildlife. Finally the students will
participate in a group discussion about what they can do to reduce, reuse
and recycle. Afterwards they will engage in activities in which they express
their promise to the Earth and explore through a hands-on activity the
process of reusing products used in their daily lives.
According to the PDE SAS Standards the students will be able to,
4.5.3.C
o Identify different types of pollution and their sources
4.5.4.C
o Describe how human activities can affect the environment
4.3.4.D
o Identify sources of waste
o Identify items that can and cannot be recycled
4.5.4.E
o Identify different ways human health can be affected by
pollution

Once the unit is complete, the students will be able to describe what
pollution is, how it affects the land, water, air, and living things. They will
also be able to express how to reduce, reuse, recycle, and restore to take
better care of our earth. This subject matter is crucial for the students
understanding of pollution and the importance of preserving the cleanliness
of the world around them.