Natural Resources
TEKS Objective
The student will identify and learn how to use natural resources and materials, including conservation and reuse or recycling of paper, plastic, and metals.
Essential Understanding
The student uses age-appropriate tools and models to investigate the natural world.
Science Background
Learn the Issues: US Environmental Protection Agency (website) - Comprehensive resource for solid information about a wide variety of environmental topics, current events, FAQs, and more.
Learn the Issues
US Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov
Conservation of Resources: McGraw-Hill (PDF) - This article describes conservation of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, and provides information about a wide range of additional topics, from fossil fuel consumption to ecologically friendly agricultural practices.
Conservation of Resources
McGraw-Hill, books.mcgraw-hill.com
Signature Lesson
Just Turn It Off: Science NetLinks (website) - Students investigate and identify ways to conserve energy, including by turning off lights, toys, machines, appliances, etc.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Thirstin’s Wacky Water Adventures: US Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) - Information about water treatment and water as a natural resource that should be reused, recycled and conserved. Includes water trivia questions to spur conversation, student pages with puzzles, and more.
Thirstin’s Wacky Water Adventures
US Environmental Protection Agency, water.epa.gov
The Human Faucet: Texas AgriLife Extension Service (PDF) - Students track and compare the amount of water used while brushing their teeth, first, with the faucet shut off, and second, with the faucet left on.
The Human Faucet
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, fcs.tamu.edu
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Kids and Conservation: Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District (website) - Discuss the careful management and preservation of natural resources and the environment. Scroll down to find interesting “Q&A” facts that can assess your students’ understanding of conserving, recycling and reusing our natural resources.
Kids and Conservation
Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District, www.clarkswcd.org
Can We Keep the Lake Clean? National Geographic Xpeditions (website) - Learn about a lake ecosystem and how humans impact its water quality.
Can We Keep the Lake Clean?
National Geographic Xpeditions, www.nationalgeographic.com
Assessment Ideas
Lead the class in making a list of natural resources and how we use them. Then, instruct each student to create a small poster showing ways to conserve, recycle or reuse one natural resource of his/her choosing.
Literature Connections
Why Should I Save Water? Green, Jen (ISBN-13: 978-0764131578)
Recycling Earth’s Resources. Webb, Barbara L. (ISBN-13: 978-1615902996)
Why Should I Protect Nature? Green, Jen (ISBN-13: 978-0764131547)
Recycle! A Handbook for Kids. Gibbons, Gail (ISBN-13: 978-0316309431)
Additional Resources
Follow That Trail! US Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) - Natural resources, such as wood, water, aluminum and oil, are all around us. This activity packet uses puzzle and games to engage and educate students about these resources and the need to preserve them.
Follow That Trail!
US Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov
Reference Links for Kids: Natural Resources Defense Council (website) - Resources, games, and activities aimed at engaging students in the conservation of water, energy and other natural resources.
Reference Links for Kids
Natural Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org
Environmental Curriculum Work Sheets: Kids for Saving Earth (website) - A free list of many activities that promote environmental education topics, such as conservation.
Environmental Curriculum Work Sheets
Kids for Saving Earth, www.kidsforsavingearth.org
TEKS Navigation
Grade 1
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