Name: Ms.

Catriana Garcia
Title of Lesson: Who cares? Its just trash.
Grade: 7
th

Standards
MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population
and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources
and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Lesson Summary/Overview
Students will reflect on what they have learned so far about waste and the management of it on
both a local and global scale. A short discussion will occur in class to help them vocalize their opinions
and hear the views of others. New learning will be introduced in the beginning as to how population will
be expected to increase and a formal explanation of a closed system will be given. Students will spend
the majority of class constructing an argument as to why closed disposal systems are or are not
important and how they will or will not be impacted by an increase in human population and the
consumption of natural resources.

Objectives
Students will be able to:
Construct an argument as to why closed disposal systems are or are not important and how they
will or will not be impacted by an increase in human population and the consumption of natural
resources.
Support claims logical reasoning and credible knowledge
Demonstrate an understanding of the disposal system.
Provide a concluding statement that follows and supports the given argument

Assessment/Evaluation
Students will construct a paper/video/poster. This project topic is Why or why arent closed
disposal systems important. Discuss the impact that would happen to a closed system if an
increase in human population occurred and the resulting possible consumption of natural
resources.
This project must include:
at least 5 credible resource (1 not discussed in class)
an introduction to the topic
A conclusion that follows and supports the given argument
An argument for only ONE side that is supported by facts and logic

Prerequisite Knowledge
Students will have to have prerequisite knowledge about:
The definition of waste
Basic alternatives to waste (reusing, recycling, composting)
What happens to litter
How landfills work
Waste management in developing countries
Population (which was covered in a previous unit)
Materials
Computers
Video camera (or cell phone/iPod)
Poster board
Markers
Paper

Vocabulary/Key Words
Closed system - A physical system that does not interact with or receive input from other
systems
Consumption - the using up of a resource.


Teaching Procedures
1. The teacher will ask students if they can define a closed system
2. Teacher will define a closed system as a physical system that does not interact with or
receive input from other systems.
3. Teacher will ask students to think back to day 1 when the video showed how we currently
dispose of trash and then showed how it should be with the trash that leaves the house
going to a factory that then goes back to the store where it then goes again back to the
house and repeats over and over.
4. Teacher will say that that is what we are going to write about today a closed disposal
system and why you think it is (or isnt) important.
5. Teacher will also have students stop and think about the population. Teacher will ask and
have students have a discussion on how they think the closed disposal system will be
affected by the increase in population that is definitely going to happen. Do students think
that people will consume more things? What will that do to natural resources in a closed
disposal system?
6. Teacher will listen and allow students to form and voice their opinions only stepping in to
correct misinformation.
7. Once the group has had their chance to discuss the teacher will post the topic and
guidelines for the project and give students their options on how to complete the project.
8. Teacher will provide students with laptops/computers/articles to support their research.
9. Teacher will monitor time and help support the writing format of their papers for the
remainder of the class.

Resources
Resources located on the resource page of the website.
Ways of Thinking Connection
This activity requires systems thinking because it requires students to understand what a closed system
is and how they are a part of it. Students will also be required to utilize futures thinking in this activity.
They will need to think about the future population of the world and the garbage they will produce in
order to really complete this activity.