The Importance of Trees to Our Planet
Research and Discussion
The topic for the first cycle will be the Importance of Trees to Our Planet. There can be no doubt that trees are important both economically and environmentally to our planet, but many times the economic and environmental importance are seen as being in conflict with each other. The Internet has given people a truly huge source of information. It has also provided individuals with a platform to share their personal thoughts and ideas with the entire human population on planet Earth. It has developed into a brand new way to do research and to publish. During this first Beta Testing Cycle, we will be looking at the issue of The Importance of Trees to Our Planet. We will then develop a United Nation style proposal relative to the use of trees on our planet. We have the following suggestions for the classroom teacher.
- Decide which teaching objects you want to meet
relative to your school's curriculum. This topic can be used to explore many
aspects of a social studies, math or science curriculum but the focus you,
as the classroom teacher give it, will determine its direction within your
classroom. For ideas on integrating this into your social studies curriculum,
we suggest checking out The National Council
of Social Studies. For ideas relative to the intigration of science objectives
into your curriculum, we suggest that you check out the National
Academy of Sciences to look at their standards relative to science education.
- Break your class into two parts--those who wish to look more closely at the need to develop trees as a economic resource by looking at what the forest products industry has to say, and those that want to look more closely into what environmental activist agencies are saying.
- Each section should do independent research on the issues.
- We have a resource section that students can go
to as they start their search for information.
- Separate discussion areas will be set up for both sides of the issue. Students who find information or are searching for help can get it from other students who will be searching the same side of the issue.
- During this process, students may begin to see who in the various participating classrooms are supportive of their position.
- Students can begin to think about potential resolutions. When developing a resolution, one should be sure to weigh all sides of the issue.
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