1.2 Are Natural Resources Really That Important
This is a 45-minute middle school agricultural literacy lesson (MS.NR.1.2, “Are natural resources really that important?”) on the importance of renewable and non-renewable natural resources and the roles of consumption, conservation, and preservation. Using hands-on activities with water, crackers, and candy, students explore why natural resources matter and how to become conscientious consumers, then create a “weather report” to review key concepts.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- As a result of this unit the students will compare renewable versus non-renewable resources.
- Explain the importance of renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Determine roles in the conservation of natural resources.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes.
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
-
- Writing surface
- Disposable cups – one per student
- Drinking water – 1/2 a disposable cup per student
- Saltine crackers – three per student
- Wrapped soft-candy – one per student
- Projector/Overhead
- Sheet of paper – one per student
- Writing utensil – one per student
- MS.NR.1.2.TM.A – one per teacher
- MS.NR.1.2.TM.B – one per teacher
- MS.NR.1.2.TM.C – one per teacher
- MS.NR.1.2.TM.D – one per teacher
- MS.NR.1.2.ASSESS.A – one per student
- Precepts
- D. Character — D3. Accept responsibility for personal actions; E. Awareness — E1. Address issues important to the community
- Key Terms
- Consumption, Conservation, Preservation
- Resources
- Lee, Jasper (2006). Natural Resources (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
- Curriculum
- Middle School Food and Agricultural Literacy Curriculum
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- CS.09.01.01.bDescribe the economic impacts of natural resource preservation vs. use of the resource.
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NL-ENG.K-12.4Communication Skills
- NRS.01.01.01.bDifferentiate between renewable and non-renewable natural resources.
- NS.5-8.6Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
- NSS-GK-12.5Environment and Society