Science: Personal and Social Perspectives

• As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an understanding of types of resources.
• As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an understanding of changes in environment.
• As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of populations, resources and environments.

Source: National Science Education Standards

Guide a discussion about the importance of saving energy and protecting the environment. Brainstorm ways students can do their part to conserve energy and materials around the home, school or in their local community. Determine the top five points and incorporate into a unique puzzle. Alternately, students can create individual puzzles and solve each other's creations to learn additional conservation methods. At the end of an assigned period, have each student check their Puzzle pieces to reflect on their conservation efforts. If no change has been accomplished in one area, the student will leave that piece out of the Puzzle to demonstrate how everyone has to constantly work to keep our country green. Bring concepts alive so students incorporate good decision-making skills into healthy lifestyles.

Figure A

Supplies Used: Black Marking Pen, Cardstock, Glue, Mat Board, Poster Board

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Attach a piece of green paper to a piece of chipboard, mat board or poster board.
2. Die-cut the LG or XL Puzzle, House from the green reinforced paper or from poly foam.
3. To die-cut the roof portion of the puzzle, attach a piece of dark green paper wide enough to cover the roof of the Puzzle to chipboard, mat board or poster board, or die-cut a contrasting piece of poly foam (Figure A).
   
4. Students put their Puzzle together, using a black marking pen to list various ways they can encourage their family to conserve energy (see Main Photo).