Engage
In this phase, students become aware of the prolific use of plastic in our modern society. They learn a little bit about the history of plastic and consider why using plastic might have negative consequences for our world.
They develop some vocabulary to describe materials including "natural", "processed", "synthetic", "recyclable", and "biodegradable".
They develop some vocabulary to describe materials including "natural", "processed", "synthetic", "recyclable", and "biodegradable".
So much plastic
Students brainstorm uses of plastic in their everyday lives to gain an appreciation of how common this material is in our society. They use Answergarden.ch to share their responses. A link is provided to an Answer Garden that is already set up, or a teacher can create their own garden for exclusive use by their class.
Students brainstorm uses of plastic in their everyday lives to gain an appreciation of how common this material is in our society. They use Answergarden.ch to share their responses. A link is provided to an Answer Garden that is already set up, or a teacher can create their own garden for exclusive use by their class.
Building Vocabulary
Students will come across a number of terms in the first part of this unit that may be unfamiliar to them, particularly within the context of science. Vocabulary can be taught using a variety of methods. One suggestion is to use Vocabulary Spelling City to play games with a list of the words and their meanings.
Students will come across a number of terms in the first part of this unit that may be unfamiliar to them, particularly within the context of science. Vocabulary can be taught using a variety of methods. One suggestion is to use Vocabulary Spelling City to play games with a list of the words and their meanings.
How do we get plastic?
Students read the information on the What are Plastics? webpage. Much of the information is above what they will understand, but they should try to find the answer to the question: What are some of the natural materials used to make plastic?
Students read the information on the What are Plastics? webpage. Much of the information is above what they will understand, but they should try to find the answer to the question: What are some of the natural materials used to make plastic?
Where does plastic come from?
Students will learn that plastic is a "processed" material by watching/ conducting a demonstration using milk and vinegar. A good guide to this demonstration can be found on Science Bob's page. In this demonstration, students are not really making plastic, but they can understand how plastic can be made by mixing different ingredients.
Students will learn that plastic is a "processed" material by watching/ conducting a demonstration using milk and vinegar. A good guide to this demonstration can be found on Science Bob's page. In this demonstration, students are not really making plastic, but they can understand how plastic can be made by mixing different ingredients.
Explore
In this phase, students are involved in scientific investigations to discover the properties of plastic and other materials. They consider why plastic might be useful in a variety of situations.
They expand their vocabulary to describe the properties of materials.
They expand their vocabulary to describe the properties of materials.
Explain
Students explain which physical properties of plastic make it a useful choice in a variety of situations.
Elaborate
Students consider why plastic might not be the best solution for our problems as it can have a negative impact on our environment.
They consider sustainable management of waste from production to consumption. They investigate options for the management of our use of plastic which includes the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and replace.
They consider sustainable management of waste from production to consumption. They investigate options for the management of our use of plastic which includes the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and replace.
Evaluate
In this final phase, students reflect on what they have learnt about the benefits and problems associated with the use of plastic. They produce a multi-modal persuasive text to encourage others to rethink their use of plastic in daily life.