7TH Grade Health Lesson

Community HealthSOL 7.4 a-b

Monday April 29th 2013

Community Health

• Agenda– Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable– Pollution: 3 types (Air, Water, Soil)– How long does it take?– What can we do?

Bell Ringer

• Journal Entry:– In paragraph form (5-7 sentences) discuss the

things that people use everyday that harm our community. Name 3 ways in which everyone can do a better job keeping our community clean and safe.

Break (5 minutes)

• Bathroom • Sharpen Pencils• Collect Worksheets and Study Guide• Put away Gym Clothes and get Notebook

Natural Resources Used for Energy

– Materials that occur in nature and can be used to produce energy.• Renewable Resources: Resources that can be used over and

over or that have unlimited supplies.• Non-renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be reused.

Renewable Non-Renewable

Solar Energy (Sun), Wind, Water Oil, natural gas, coal

Can be used over and over Can only be used once

Much cleaner and safer Creates air pollution and smog

Not very efficient Generates much more energy

Pollution• Air Pollution:

– Vehicle or manufacturing exhaust– Smog: yellowish brown haze that forms

when sunlight reacts with air pollution.– Building construction or demolition

• Water Pollution– Improper waste disposal and littering – Leaching of soil pollution into water supplies – Organic material decay in water supplies

• Land Pollution: – Hazardous waste and sewage spills – Non-sustainable farming practices, such as the

heavy use of inorganic pesticides – Household dumping and littering

How Long Does it Take?• Once you throw your trash away, it does not disappear over night. Here is a

look at how long it takes certain items to break down in a landfill:

Item Time

Paper Towels 2-4 Weeks

Cardboard Box 2 months

Waxed Milk Carton 3 months

Aluminum Cans 200 years

Plastic bottles 450 years

Glass Bottles NEVER

Styrofoam cup NEVER

Reducing Air Pollution• Conserve or reduce the

amount of gas, oil, coal and natural gas we use on a daily basis.– Fuel efficient cars– Turn off lights, TVs and other

electronics when not in use.• Increase the amount of

renewable energy resources.– Solar or wind powered devices

5 Steps for Reducing Water Pollution• 1. Use less water

– taking a shower instead of a bath– turning the water off while you’re brushing your teeth– using natural landscaping so you don’t have to water your lawn.

• 2. Use environmentally-friendly household products– Don’t use household products that contain chemicals. – use green products, like biodegradable soap and all-natural

toiletries. – To clean your house, stop using bleach and chemical cleaners and

use vinegar instead.3. Apply natural pesticides and fertilizers

The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers leads to water pollution because contaminated water seeps into ground water and runs off into nearby water sources. Natural pesticides that you can use include insecticidal soap and pyrethrum. Natural fertilizers include wood ash, grass clippings, and animal manure.

4. Don’t litter Avoid littering in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

5. Dispose of toxic products with careMake sure to dispose of toxic products, such as paints, solvents, and polishes, in the proper area. Don’t pour them down your drain.

Reducing Land Pollution

• Reduce: Cut down on the amount of trash you throw away. – Buy products in bulk. – Avoid using plastic cups, knives,

forks or spoons.

• Reuse items that you would normally throw away. • Use plastic grocery bags as trash bags or to clean up after pets.• Donate unwanted clothes instead of throwing them out.

• Recycle: Plastic, glass, paper, card board.

Independent Activity

• Design a comic strip demonstrating how you can do a better job taking care of the environment.

Bill Nye Video

• Pollution Solution

Table of Contents

1. Community Health Journal2. Community Health Study Guide3. Community Health Comic Strip4. Community Health Word Search