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Teacher Section
Getting Started
Lesson 1:
To introduce a situation in which humans have had a negative impact on the environment;
To identify issues to be investigated related to the Copper Basin video.
Biology; A Community Approach (for videos), Southwestern Educational Publishing, 1992
BSCS -Green, Chapters 1-3
Copper Basin Video or photos of a strip mining operation
Chart paper and markers
- Introduce the purpose, “We will be studying the impact of human activity on a specific environment. We will be studying the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the Copper Basin, and applying this information to a local situation.”
- Show students the location of the Copper Basin on a topographic map
(Ducktown, TN). [see topozone.com and click on Copper Basin or http://www.topozone.com/ map.asp?lat=35.05&lon=-84.3833]
- Students view the video or the photographs of a mining operation that has stripped the land and depleted the environment. As they observe the video/photographs, instruct them to think about the following questions and to record their answers in their notebooks. After the video, work with the class to discuss the following questions:
- What issue(s) is/are raised in the video?
- What problems can you identify?
- What do you need to know to solve the problems?
- What experts might we contact to help us?
- Following the video, collate all the issues and problems generated by the students. This can be done on the board or on chart paper. (Chart paper allows you to refer back to the list as you progress through the unit). Accept all input.
- As a class, brainstorm ways to investigate the various problems and issues that were listed.
- The class usually plans the unit for you. They can be led in a specific direction if necessary.
- Make a copy for your records and organize the plan into a sequence that is appropriate for you and for your classes.
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