Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow. a South Carolina Environmental Curriculum Grades K-8, Second Edition. INSTITUTION South Carolina State Dept
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 400 168 SE 058 795 TITLE Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow. A South Carolina Environmental Curriculum Grades K-8, Second Edition. INSTITUTION South Carolina State Dept. of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia. PUB DATE 96 NOTE 608p. AVAILABLE FROM South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201; Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling, 800-SO-USE-IT. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For Teacher)(052) EDRS PRICE MF03/PC25 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Curriculum Guides; Elementary Education; *Environmental Education; *Interdisciplinary Approach; Junior High Schools; *Learning Activities; Middle Schools; *Natural Resources; Pollution; Recycling; Science Activities; *Waste Disposal IDENTIFIERS South Carolina ABSTRACT The goal of this curriculum is to teach children and their parents to think about their daily habits and to make environmentally responsible choices. The lessons and activities are _divided by grade levels: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8. Lessons in each 'grade levelare designed to cover a range of student skills, subject areas, and environmental issues. An extensive resource section includes background information on specific issues at the state and global level and a glossary. Each lesson has a teacher's section which includes grade level, lesson focus, materials, teaching time, and vocabulary. Most lessons are interdisciplinary and include extension activities and ideas for individual and group action for environmental causes. Topics covered in the lessons include litter control, waste disposal, recycling, water pollution, and conservation of energy. (DDR) A***A*-.A*A******AAAA:.A.****AAAA*A;,A;.AA****************A1H.***** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the 'original document. *********************************************************************** Actin A South Carolina Environmental Curriculum Supplement 1996 Second Edition PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL U.S. DEPARTMENT Of EDUCATION H S BEEN RANT : BY Office of Educational Research and Improvement r EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as ived from the person or organization originating it 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction Quality TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES o Points of new or opinions stated in this docu- INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) ment do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy Published by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 2600 Bull Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201. 1996 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control For more infonnation on how to obtain a copy of Action for a cleaner fanny-row, a South Carolina Environmental Curriculum Supplement, contact the Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling at 1-800-SO-USE-IT. tr) Action for a cleaner tomorrow is printed on recycled paper BEST COPY AVAILABLE 2 fttir ofoutil Tarolina DAVID M. BEASLEY Poor OFFICE Box 11369 GOVERNOR @flirt of Or 6ourrnor COLUMBA 29211 FOREWORD I am pleased to introduce Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow: A South Carolina Environmental Curriculum. Action was developed by DHEC's Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling in conjunction with a statewide team of teachers, the South Carolina Department of Education, Clemson University Extension Service and the state "Keep America Beautiful" affiliate. The curriculum serves as an excellent example of what can be accomplished when various groups work together for a common goal. The first edition of the curriculum was introduced in 1994 and won two national education awards. Action has also received recognition from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Region IV Office and is currently being adapted for use by other states. At home, response to the curriculum has been overwhelmingly positive, with more than 4,000 teachers having been trained to use Action. The second edition promises to be just as successful, with current lessons having been updated and new lessons having been added covering a range of additional environmental topics. Environmental education is critical to maintaining the quality of our life. As we meet the challenge of protecting our environment and natural resources, the fact is there is no more precious natural resource than our children. This project is for them. Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow and projects like it are the tools needed today to cultivate the environmentally conscious adults of tomorrow. It is indeed my pleasure to introduce this curriculum for use in South Carolina classrooms. David M. B asley 3 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Dr. Barbara Stock Nielsen FATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION Dear Teachers and Children of South Carolina, The environment and quality environmental education are important to us and should be important to everyone.Only by prioritizing environmental educationcan we build a new environmentalethicandencourage responsible action. That is the ultimate benefit. "Action fora cleaner tomorrow"isa curriculum designed by South Carolinians for South Carolinians.It is designed to give all of our students the knowledge, the information, and the skillsto make informed and responsibledecisions towardenvironmentalproblems thataffectour beautifulstateand ourpreciousnaturalresources. Thiscurriculum encouragesinvestigation,analysis,anddecisionmakingaboutsuch environmental topics as solid waste management, recycling and the wise use of our resources. We CAN make the difference and our students can become leaders of environmental consciousness."Action for a cleaner tomorrow" will lead to a cleaner tomorrow and to a cleaner South Carolina. Sin erely, >d9Ail....il arbara S. Nielsen, Ed. State Superintendent of Education 4 1429 SENATE STREET COLUMBIA. SOUTH CAROLINA 29201 8031 734-8492 FAX (803) 734-3389 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THE SECRETARY FOREWORD FOR SOUTH CAROLINA "ACTION FOR A CLEANER TOMORROW" SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING CURRICULUM BY RICHARD W. RILEY From the glorious Appalachian mountains to the celebrated beaches of the Grand Strand and Lowcountry, South Carolina's natural resources are renowned worldwide. The beauty of our state contributes to a high quality of life for residents and attracts millions of visitors who boost our economy. It is critical that we protect our precious environment for ourselves and future generations. With the adoption of the South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991, our state now has a comprehensive law to regulate the management of solid waste. One of its most important components requires a solid waste and recycling curriculum in our schools. "Action for a cleaner tomorrow," a curriculum developed specifically for South Carolina, is now a required course of study. Experience has shown us that learning about the importance of protecting the environment and effective solid waste management can have a tremendous positive influence on the attitudes and habits of children and their parents. As conservation and recycling become customary, it is my hope that South Carolina's citizens will become her primary caretakers. c2.44.4zk,a5 Richard W. Riley U.S. Secretary of Education 5 400 MARYLAND AVE.. S.W. WASHINGTON. D.C. 20202-0100 Our mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the Nation. al% UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ' zoo" REGION IV 45 COURTLANO STREET. N.E. ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30365 FOREWORD One of EPA's goals for environmental education is to reach every home, school, and community across the nation with a message of environmental stewardship and a balanced view of the environmental issues. The best way to achieve this is through the cooperative efforts of not only federal, state, and local governments, but also business, education, and community organizations.No one organization can accomplish this on its own. Action for a cleaner tomorrow: A South Carolina Environmental Curriculum represents one way this message can be delivered effectively.I am impressed not only with the scope of the subject matter covered, but also the process with which it was developed ensuring the integrity and broadest possible application of the materials. It is encouraging to see statewide efforts such as these which involve the collaboration of a broad cross-section of state and local environmental and educational groups. These types of partnerships and alliances are critical in the development and delivery of environmental education. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and includes both in-class and at-home activities that will help students and their parents see the impact of their everyday behavior on the environment. Children can influence their parents to recycle at home, while parents can influence their children to compost their food scraps and yard trimmings. Students can influence their teachers to start or improve a school-wide recycling program, while teachers can influence their students to pursue environmentally related careers. I am confident that the introduction of this curriculum in schools throughout South Carolina will provide a much needed catalyst for quality environmental education and will promote responsible environmental stewardship.Stewardship means taking responsibility for, caring for, and managing the earth's natural resources. Individual actions can and do make a difference. As students complete the activities, they will be able to carry the message