Environmental Problems

 

 

Topic: Environmental Problems

 

Lesson objectives:

to teach to use the topic-related lexics; to teach to give suggestions and find out the solutions; to facilitate productive speaking by electing personal experience and knowledge based on the previous learnt material;

 

Lesson outcomes:

By the end of the lesson students will be able to says 6-7 sentences about our environment and how we can help it

 

Equipment: cards with words, hand outs, flash cards (Grammar basic tables: Present Continuous / Perfect Tense), interactive board, a video unit "How to save our planet"; a textbook "Click on 3" by Virginia Evans, Express Publishing.

 

 

The Procedure

I. Introduction

1. Greeting 

2. Announcing of the subtopic and objectives of the lesson

Teacher:

The topic of our lesson is "Environmental Problems"

Dear students, the motto of our lesson is "The future of the Earth is in our hands"

Today we are going to discuss the main environmental problems we face nowadays and try to find their solutions. You'll have the chance:

1) to revise the information on the topic you have already learnt;

2) to accumulate some interesting facts and knowledge on the topic;

3) to summarise information you have learnt before.

 

II. Warm up

Teacher: What is the environment? Let's brainstorm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III. Main part

1. Vocabulary and grammar revision

a) Teacher: You are completely right. However, there are a lot of environmental problems endangering us and our surrounding world. Name them. You are going to work in groups.

Group A: Your task is to find the verbs connected with the topic "Environment":

Polluted, contaminated, wiped out, destroyed, damaged, threatened, endangered

Group B: Your task is to find nouns and word combinations which denote the environmental problems:

Industrial waste, ultraviolet radiation, sewage,  oil spills, deforestation, smoke and gases from factories, famine, exhaust fumes, use of aerosols.

b) Teacher: Make up sentences using Present Continuous Perfect to speak about main environmental problems our planet faces:

The air The water Animals Plants Land People

is / are being

polluted contaminated wiped out destroyed damaged threatened endangered

by due to as a result of because of

industrial waste ultraviolet radiation sewage oil spills deforestation smoke and gases famine exhaust fumes use of aerosols

 

 

 

 

 

2. Review of the home task

Teacher: Your home task was to make group projects about some environmental problems

Group 1 Endangered species (a poster)

PROJECT "ENDANGERED SPECIES"

Today the danger of our natural world is increasing and many species are becoming extinct. A lot of animals have become endangered for a number of reasons. The main of them is that they are losing their habitats. New buildings are built in areas where animals and birds live and there is less space for them to live, less food to hunt for and less clean water. We need to do something soon or else many creatures won't survive.

First of all we need to make sure that there are stricter laws that protect endangered species. Then people would be discouraged from harming these animals.

Secondly, it would be a good idea to educate people about the danger of extinction. As a result, more people might do voluntary work protecting endangered species.

All in all, there are many solutions to this problem. The sooner we take actions, the better the future will be for all endangered species.

 

Group 2 Air and land pollution (a video)

A VIDEO PRESENTATION "LAND AND AIR POLLUTION"

Our earth has faced a serious problem. It is land and air pollution.

As far as I know people have always polluted their surroundings. But nowadays this problem is becoming more and more serious.

First of all, I want to say some words about land pollution. Look around! The rubbish is being dropping everywhere in our city. It can be seen in the streets, in our park, on the pavement and people even dump rubbish near their houses. These people do not care about our environment.

The second problem is air pollution. The air is being polluted by different factors. First of all, an increasing number of cars pollute our air every day. Traffic fumes can cause serious breathing difficulties. Secondly, our local factories pollute our environment too. They produce smoke and gases which is harmful for our health. Moreover, smoking is another problem. People, who smoke, damage not even their health, but our surrounding world.

For my share, there are many ways to improve conditions in our city. The problem of litter could be solved quite easily by providing more rubbish bins in public places. A useful suggestion would be to ban cars from the city centre. If this were done there would be less smog over the city. Finally, it would be a good idea to provide the factories with special filters to stop poisonous gases escaping into the atmosphere.

By doing this we can save our planet!!!

 

 

 

3. Relaxation Song "Pollution" by Tom Lehrem

Teacher: We are going to relax a little bit and sing a karaoke song. After the song say what kinds of pollution are been mentioned.

Student 1. This song is about air pollution and one more environmental problem; it is about water pollution.

Teacher: What causes water pollution?

Student 2. For my share water is being polluted by plants, factories and power stations. Their industrial waste  is being pumped into the rivers, lake and seas.

Student 3. I think the main problem of water pollution is dumping rubbish by people into the rivers and lakes too. When my dad and I go fishing, some rivers look like a total mass. The only thing you are likely to catch in the water is a disease.

 

4. Writing

Teacher: Using speech patterns write solutions how to reduce water pollution.

A good idea would be

Stricter laws must be passed to

Something must be done to

People should be required to

Possible answers:

1. A good idea would be to stop polluting rivers and seas by industrial waste.

2. Laws must be passed to oil tankers when they transport oil.

3. People should be required not to throw trash in to the rivers and lakes.

4. Something must be done to reduce water consumption.

 

5. Reading "Greenhouses for the future" (Click on 3 Student's book p.90)

Teacher: Look at this picture and say what the environmental problem it is. (deforestation). What is it?

Student 1: A lot of trees are being cut down nowadays.

Teacher: You are going to read the text "Greenhouses for the future" and  be ready to join the sentences and be ready to comment on them.

a) silent reading

b) "Marry-goes-round" Students join the parts of the sentences from the text;

1. Greenhouses are a magnificent example of how nature can be protected and appreciated at the same time.

2. Greenhouses give a possibility to meet the nature from different parts of the world.

3. Greenhouses are the artificial places useless for humanity.

4. Greenhouses can be the places which carry out breeding programmes to try to preserve endangered species.

 

c) Incorporate pair work - Comment on the statement - say

1. - Greenhouses are a magnificent example of how nature can be protected and appreciated at the same time.

- That is true. While a lot of trees are being cut down nowadays, these places show us how much time should be spent to grow different trees and flowers. 

2. - Greenhouses give a possibility to meet the nature from different parts of the world.

- I completely agree. With the help of greenhouses people can learn about plants from different parts of the world.

3. - Greenhouses are the artificial places useless for humanity.

- It is false. Even though they are artificial but a lot of trees are grown there and we know they produce oxygen into the air. This gas is very useful for all living things. It is impossible to without it.

4.-  Greenhouses are the places which carry out breeding programmes to try to preserve endangered species.

- I agree. For my share, with the help of greenhouses people can learn about plants which are becoming extinct and think about their attitude towards nature wherever they are.

Teacher: You are right.

 

6. Relaxation

Teacher: Let's have some relaxation. Listen to music. Make yourself comfortable. Close your eyes. Relax. Imagine that you are at the beach. You are alone. The sun is shining brightly. It is warm. You feel comfortable and happy.

Imagine you see a blue sky and white clouds. They are unbelievable. You see the first cloud in the form of the letter R. What does it mean? It means Reduce. The next cloud is coming nearer and you see the second cloud with the letter R. What does it mean? It means Reuse. And at last you see one more cloud with the letter R. What does it mean? It means Recycle.

Open your eyes!

Teacher: How do you feel? (calm, relaxed, happy)

Teacher: What do these three Rs mean?

Reduce - to make less

Reuse - to use again

Recycle - to use rubbish to make products.

Teacher: Could they be a solution to some environmental problems?

Student 1. They are important today. If people did these things, our nature wouldn't suffer so many problems.

Teacher: Now students let’s revise which products can be reused/reduced/recycled. Complete each box with correct items.

Complete the boxes with the correct words or word combinations and say what can be reused/ reduced/recycled:

Aluminum, plastic bottles, energy, butter tubs, newspapers, cardboard, trash, hot water use, rain water, used wood, glass containers, use of paper, magasines, computers, wrapping paper, steel cans, the use of gas, sewage.

 

 

 

 

7. Incorporate pair work

Teacher: Now act out short dialogues discussing different situations.

Situation 1. You see your friend is throwing away old newspapers and magazines.

- Hi Tom! What are you doing?

- I am going to throw away old newspapers and magazines.

- Stop doing that. Think of our nature. They can be recycled to make greeting cards and writing paper. And there would be less rubbish in our streets.

Situation 2. You see you friend is going to pour out rain water.

- Hello Jane. Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you too!

- Let's go for a walk. The weather is OK.

- It's a pity, I can't. I have to pour out the water after the rain.

- I don't think it's a good decision. It can be reused to water garden plants.

- Thanks. It's a nice idea.

Situation 3. You have noticed your friend doesn't switch off light.

- Jane, switch off the light.

- What for? I like when the room has enough light during the day.

- It's not correct. Less electricity should be used today.

- Why?

- Firstly, you can cut down on your household bills. Secondly, you can reduce the level harmful gases which are produced by power stations.  

- Oh, no!

Situation 4. Your friend suggests going to the cinema by taxi.

- Hi, Tom! WE are waiting for you. You are late.

- No, I'm not. I'm on time. Don't worry.

- Tom if you don't hurry up, we'll miss the beginning of the film. Let's go by taxi.

- I don't think it's a good idea. A lot of cars cause air pollution in our city. And a good solution can be to catch a bus. This way we reduce air pollution caused by exhaust fumes and it's cheaper to travel by public transport than by taxi.

 

 

8. Listening

Teacher: People always tried to find different solutions to save our planet. Now you are going to watch a video unit "How to save our planet" and match the correct box.(hand outs)

Tick the right box(es)

	Speaker A	Speaker B	Speaker C	Speaker D
Who isn't doing anything to help the environment?
Who is recycling?
Who isn't sure what else they can do to help?
Who doesn't use public transport?
Who thinks the public should be more informed?

 

Teacher: What has been discussed in the video? Do all people take care of the environment?

Student 1. The video was about people's attitude to the problems of the environment. They spoke about recycling, public transport, and how they are informed about our environment.

Student 2. Some people think that people have to take care of the environment and they give suggestions how to protect it by using public transport and recycling. However, there are some people who are not well informed or do nothing to help the environment.

 

7. Speaking

Teacher: You see people try to preserve our environment. From your point of view say what should be done firstly to save our Earth for future generations.

Student 1. I think the main problem is air pollution. It would be a good idea if factories were moved out of the areas where people live. The result of this would be that air pollution would be reduced. Alternatively, it would help if factories used special filters to stop poisonous gases escaping into the atmosphere.

Student 2. In my opinion, we must cut down as much as possible on our use of fossil fuels. Alternative forms of energy should be used in the world. They are solar energy panels and wind mills.

Student 3. I completely agree with my classmates, but the first thing which should be done is to protect our water from pollution. People couldn't live without fresh water. If there were not water, there wouldn't be any plants and animals. As a result, everything would die.

Student 4. People should be more informed about environmental problems. There could be different competitions between local schools to see who can clean the school yard or a part of the park better. As a result, school children would learn about the importance of keeping our planet clean and they would involve their families, too. Moreover, the government should start a reward scheme to pay people for recycling.

Student 5. People should remember  the rule of three "Rs" - reuse, reduce, recycle. Then there would be less litter, people wouldn't cut so many trees as they do nowadays and save natural resources.

Student 6. For my share, there are many ways to improve conditions in our city. The problem of litter could be solved quite easily by providing more rubbish bins in public places. A useful suggestions would be to ban cars from the city centre. If this were done there would be less smog over the city. Finally, it would be a good idea to provide the factories with special filters to stop poisonous gases escaping into the atmosphere.

IV. Conclusion

Teacher: You are right. Summing up our lesson I want to return to the motto of out lesson. You are the future of our planet and how it will look depend on you. Listen to a poem "The future's in your hand" and with the help of these symbolic hands say what is done by you to help our environment today.

 

The future's in your hands

 

You want to see blue seas,

You want to see green trees,

You want to breathe clean air,

You want to show you care.

You want to see birds fly

Up into a clear sky.

You want to see flowers grow,

To pollution you say "No!"

You are defenders of our lands,

We know the future's in your hands.

 

Students' possible answers:

1. I never throw litter in the streets.

2. I try to switch off my computer when I don't use it.

3. Every spring my dad and I plant trees in our garden.

4. I try to use public transport instead driving by car to school.

5. We are careful with the fire on a picnic in the forest to prevent forest fires.

6. I never throw trash into the river.

7. I close a tab when I clean teeth.

8. I don't use aerosol spray to protect the Earth's atmosphere.

9. I am against hunting.

V. Evaluation

Teacher: You are real defenders of our environment. You were active at the lesson. So, the most active students and the leaders of the home projects .... get 12, ... get 11, .... were active enough - your mark is 10.

 

VI. Home task Write a shot message to the future generations what should be done to protect the earth.