6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Graphic Organizer
Human
Modification
Of the Environment
Deforestation
Acid
Rain
Acidification of the
Ocean
Mountain
Removal
Depletion of the
Ozone Layer
Overfishing
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools
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December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Big Idea Card
Big Ideas of Lesson 8 Unit 5
• People modify the environment for many reasons.
• These modifications have environmental, political, economic and social
consequences at all spatial scales, from local to global.
• Many of the global issues facing people today are the result of human
modification of the environment.
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Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools
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December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Word Cards
Word Cards from previous lessons used in this lesson:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
human/environment interaction – Word Card #3 from Lesson 1
natural resources – Word Card #4 from Lesson 2
fossil fuels – Word Card #7 from Lesson 2
extraction – Word Card #11 from Lesson 3
consumption – Word Card #12 from Lesson 3
energy – Word Card #14 from Lesson 4
greenhouse gases – Word Card #20 from Lesson 4
climate change – Word Card #21 from Lesson 5
modification – Word Card #22 from Lesson 6
mountaintop removal – Word Card #23 from Lesson 7
deforestation – Word Card #24 from Lesson 7
acid rain – Word Card #25 from Lesson 7
ozone - Word Card #26 from Lesson 7
ozone layer - Word Card #27 from Lesson 7
29
precarious
30
pollution
dangerously lacking
in security or stability
the presence in or
introduction into the
environment of a substance or thing that
has harmful or poisonous effects.
Example: If you think the weather is
bad now, see how precarious conditions
will be when the hurricane makes
landfall.
(SS060508)
Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum
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Example: Pollution can impact land,
water and air.
(SS060508)
Page 3 of 8
December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
“If I had to use one word to
describe the environmental
state of the planet right now, I
think I would say precarious. It
isn’t doomed. It isn’t certainly
headed toward disaster. But
it’s in a very precarious
situation right now.”
— Robert Engelman, Population Action International
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Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools
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December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Types of Pollution
There are several types of pollution, and while they may come from different sources and have different consequences,
understanding the basics about pollution can help environmentally conscious individuals minimize their contribution to
these dangers.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is defined as any contamination of the atmosphere that disturbs the natural composition and chemistry of the
air. This can be in the form of particulate matter such as dust or excessive gases like carbon dioxide or other vapors that
cannot be effectively removed through natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle.
Air pollution comes from a wide variety of sources. Some of the most excessive sources include vehicle exhaust,
manufacturing exhaust, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, building construction and building demolition.
Depending on the concentration of air pollutants, several effects can be noticed. Smog increases and there is higher rain
acidity. Crop depletion may result from inadequate oxygen and people may experience higher rates of asthma. Many
scientists believe that global warming is also related to increased air pollution.
Water Pollution
Water pollution involves any contaminated water, whether from chemical, particulate, or bacterial matter that degrades the
water's quality and purity. Water pollution can occur in oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground reservoirs, and as different
water sources flow together the pollution can spread.
The causes of water pollution include increased sediment from soil erosion, improper waste disposal, littering, and
leaching of soil pollution into water supplies
The effects of water pollution include decreasing the quantity of drinkable water available, lowering water supplies for crop
irrigation, and impacting fish and wildlife populations that require water of a certain purity for survival.
Soil Pollution
Soil, or land pollution, is contamination of the soil that prevents natural growth and balance in the land whether it is used
for cultivation, habitation, or a wildlife preserve. Some soil pollution, such as the creation of landfills, is deliberate, while
much more is accidental and can have widespread effects.
Soil pollution sources include hazardous waste and sewage spills, strip mining and deforestation. Non-sustainable farming
practices such as the heavy use of inorganic pesticides can also be a source. Additional sources include household
dumping and littering.
Soil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife habitat, water and visual pollution, soil
erosion, and desertification.
Adapted from: Mayntz, Melissa. Types of Pollution. Love to Know Green Living Website. 18 December 2013
<http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Types_of_Pollution>.
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Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools
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December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Research Suggestions
Student Reference Sheet
1. Think before you search – have a clear idea what you are looking for
2. Determine where to search
3. Use more than one search engine.
For example, try sweet search.com
, a search engine developed for
students which has a special
section just for social studies.
4. Dig deep – don’t stop at the first page!
5. Use different search techniques
• Use quotation marks
• Use AND and OR
6. Determine the reliability of the information you find
• Don’t believe everything you read --- read critically
• Verify critical information with at least one additional source
• Ask questions: Who wrote or published it? When? Why?
7. Keep track of the sources you use
• Make source cards or keep a list
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December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Research Notes
Environmental Issue: _____________________________________________________
Consequence
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Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools
Source of Information
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December 18, 2013
6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues
Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction
SS060508
Lesson 8
Presentation Notes
Consequences
Mountaintop
Removal
Deforestation
Acid Rain
Depletion of the
Ozone Layer
Acidification of
the Ocean
Overfishing
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Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools
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December 18, 2013