4.1 Plants and the Environment – A Delicate Balance
This middle school agricultural literacy lesson (“Plants and the Environment – A Delicate Balance”) teaches students about the common environmental applications and impacts of plant production, covering both positive effects (primary production, erosion control, greenhouse gas storage) and negative effects (erosion, greenhouse gas emission, chemical contamination). Through a peer-teaching activity, a hands-on balance-beam lab, and a worksheet, students explore the delicate balance between the benefits of plants and the harm of irresponsible farming.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- As a result of this unit the students will identify environmental impacts related to plant production.
- As a result of this lesson the students will discuss common environmental applications and impacts of plant production.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes.
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
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- Overhead projector/transparencies
- Rulers
- Tennis ball
- Masking tape
- Small building blocks (marbles, pennies, or rocks may be substituted)
- MS.PS.4.1.AS.A – print one copy on colorful paper
- MS.PS.4.1.AS.B – one per student
- MS.PS.4.1.AS.C – one per student
- MS.PS.4.1.TM.A make available on public surface
- MS.PS.4.1.ASSESS.A – one per student
- Lesson Number
- MS.PS.4.1
- Curriculum
- Middle School Food and Agricultural Literacy Curriculum
- Precepts
- A. Action — A5. Communicate effectively with others.
- Key Terms
- Pesticide, Erosion, Greenhouse Gases, Primary Producers, Fertilizer
- Resources
- National FFA Organization. (2009). LifeKnowledge Online. Retrieved July 9, 2009, from http://agedlearning.org — National FFA Organization. (2003). LifeKnowledge Precepts and Signs of Success.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- CS.01.01.01.a.Work productively with a group or independently.
- NL-ENG.K-12.4Communication Skills
- NRS.02.01.01.aIdentify hazards associated with the outdoor environment.
- NRS.02.06.09.aDescribe climatic factors that influence natural resources.
- NS.5-8.3Life Science