One of the main goals of teaching environmental science is to give students an understanding and appreciation of their natural surroundings. Cross curricular studies reach students through a variety of subjects and projects and help to build a strong base for science. Ideally, literature where environment is a major component would be taught in conjunction with this unit for reading. Three excellent novels for middle age students that focus on environment are, “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell, “My Side of the Mountain,” by Jean Craighead George, or “The Wheel on the School,” by Meindert DeJong. Poetry can be used to stimulate images of the outdoors for a shorter reading unit. Haiku poetry is easy for middle school students to read and write. One good collection of Haiku is “The Haiku Anthology,” edited by Cor van der Huvel. For more light hearted poems try, “Imagination’s Other Place: Poems of Science and Math” by Helen Plotz or “The Salamander Room” by Anne Mazer.
Expand the unit to include writing and art as well as literature. In addition to writing science reports, students should be assigned creative writing assignments that are connected with the environment. Have the class write adds for newly invented “Green Products” or essays on outdoor adventures. Art projects could include making garbage colleges or leaf rubbings. An excellent project to do in connection with oil spills is Paper Marbleizing. Drop small amount of oil based paint onto the surface of water and swirl with popsicle sticks. Write each student’s name on the back of a blank piece of paper and drop the paper carefully onto the surface of the water. Remove the paper and hang to dry. The result is a colorful design in the shape of oil ripples on the surface of water.
Science should be engaging and interesting to students. Creative projects and field trips will help keep them involved in science and encourage them to pursue science throughout their education. There are lists of possible trip sights and further resource materials as well as three examples of projects in the appendix. Enjoy and good luck!