Objectives:

Students will understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems, explore how living things contribute to environmental changes, and recognize human impact on the environment.

Materials:

Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk
Visual aids (images of elephants, beavers, and human impact on the environment, if available)
Interactive online resources (optional)

Introduction (5 minutes):

Start with a discussion about the interconnectedness of the Earth’s environments and ecosystems. Introduce the main topic: How living things, including humans, can change their environments.

Theocratic Connections:

Connect the lesson to the responsibility given to humans by Jehovah to care for the Earth, as mentioned in the Bible at Genesis 2:15. Emphasize the importance of caring for the environment.

Activity 1 – How Living Things Change Environments (10 minutes):

Show images of birds building nests and trees growing, emphasizing the small and large changes living things make in their environments. Discuss how these changes affect the immediate surroundings and the larger ecosystem.

Show images of elephants in their habitats, emphasizing their large size and herbivorous diet. Discuss how elephants change their environments by eating, uprooting trees, and creating open spaces.

Show images of beavers and their dams, emphasizing changes in water flow and landscape. Discuss how beavers modify their environments by building dams.

Activity 2 – Human Impact on the Environment  (10 minutes):

Show images of human activities impacting the environment, such as pollution and deforestation. Discuss how humans can have both positive and negative effects on the environment. Facilitate a discussion on how humans can reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Discuss recycling, reducing waste, saving energy, and using resources responsibly. Discuss ideas student may have for ways we can care for the environment in the Paradise.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

Recap the main points about how living things, including humans, can change the environment.

Assessment:

Evaluate student understanding of how living things change their environment through class discussions and participation in activities.