Grass cycling (Grades 8-12)

Grade/Subjects:

• Grades 9-12 Sciences, Social Studies (Environmental)

Topic/Length:

• Grass cycling 50 mins.

Objectives:

• To introduce aspects of grass cycling and sustaining the environment.

Common Essential Learnings:

• critical and creative thinking
• personal & social values

Prerequisite Student Learnings:

• some basic scientific principles of grass cycling and how it assists nature
• sustainability of the environment

Methods/Strategies:

• Set: 5- 10 mins. Introduce concept and reasons for Grass Cycling.
• • Ask for anecdotes from students (do they participate in yard work, how often do they know of that their grass is cut, what happens to the cuttings, do they know if chemicals are provided to their lawns, etc.)
• Development: 
• • 15 mins. Grass Cycling presentation and discussion. Talk about the information that is communicated in the presentation.
  • 10 mins. Grass Cycling exploration and discussion. Discuss the principles of Grass Cycling and future yard care. Discuss backyard composting and sustaining the environment.
• Closure: 5-10 mins. Review grass cycling concepts and discuss projects the students may undertake.

Materials/Resources:

• Online information from the City of Regina's website and City of Regina printed materials
• City of Philadelphia's website about grass cycling
• City of Winnipeg's website about grass cycling
• Landscape Mall website (United States) about grass cycling

Assessment/Evaluation:

• Nothing formal – question for understanding.

Reflections/Notes:

• A good lesson for a science class, or a social studies class (Environmental).

• Use in beginning classes Junior Science or Social Studies with focus on appropriate topics for that particular discipline.