How Many Trees Are There On The Planet?

Last week I was interested in a story I heard on NPR. It began with the question "How many trees are there on the planet?" I started to think about how one would make such an estimation. My guess was 100 billion. Was I close? No. The actual answer is closer to 3 trillion. That's TRILLION, or 3 x 1,000,000,000,000. 

You can hear the story at NPR in the post entitled Tree Counter is Astonished By How Many Trees There Are.

And while this sounds like a huge amount (no, we don't have enough), the researchers found that the Earth has lost nearly half its trees since the start of human civilization. We also know that we are losing 10 Billion trees every year. All of this is pretty disturbing. 

These numbers teach us a lot about habitat loss, how much carbon dioxide is being absorbed from the atmosphere, how water is recycled in an ecosystem, and how we can preserve and replenish our forests. Take a minute to learn more in this video.

You can read more about the study that produced these data at Live Science in the article Earth Lost Half Its Trees to Humans.

Annotated Bib - Recycling

One of the points of school is to create informed citizens. In Kindergarten students are introduced to the concept of recycling. Recycling is one of the most important lessons a student can learn because it is a lesson that they can implement right away, and by applying this lesson to their life the students will have a beneficial impact on the world rather than a detrimental impact. So, it is vital that teachers work diligently and effectively during the lesson of recycling.

Books

The Adventures of an Aluminum Can by Alison Inches. Illus by Mark Chambers. (2005). 24p. Little Simon.  (978-1416972211). Gr. K-3. 

Watch the life of an aluminum can from the its beginning as an bauxite rock, through the manufacturing line, through the store shelf, through the garbage can and finally to the recycling plant. The story is told through the humorous perspective of the aluminum can. This is a great way to teach little kids the importance of recycling with an empathetic and funny tone.

The Magic School Bus Gets Recycled  by Anne Capeci. Illus by Carolyn Bracken. (2007). 32p. Scholastic. (978-0439899369). Gr. K-5. 

The Magic School Bus series has always been a favorite of mine. The kids in the class are like any other kids. The wild Mrs. Frizzle is the teacher I have always wanted to be. Her adventures with her class explain everything with great detail and most importantly, pizazz. In this particular one her class holds a recycling drive. When Phoebe loses her necklace, the class in their bus dives into the recycling center and learn about the process of recycling.

Recycle! A Handbook for Kids! by Gail Gibbons. (1996). (32p). Little Brown Books for Young Readers. (978-0316309431). Gr. K-4.
With large pictures and brief descriptions, Gail Gibbons describes how to recycle, why its necessary, and its benefits. The books message is to recycle, an easy and fun habit, in order to create a safer and healthier world. This is a great book to introduce the idea of recycling to kids.

The Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle by Nuria Roca. Illus by Rosa M. Curto. (2007). 36p. Barron's Educational Series. (978-0764135811). Gr. K-3. 

Through colorful, big illustrations and easily comprehensible text The Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle is great for little kids to be introduced to the concept and importance of recycling. The book tells  children that they and their families should avoid waste and be environmentally conscious. The end of the book includes four pages of activities for children. The following two pages are for parents describing tips for recycling and providing more information on the topic. This is a great book to suggest to parents to read to their children. 

Where Does the Garbage Go? by Paul Showers. Illus by Randy Chewning. (1994). 32p. Collins. (978-0064451147). Gr. K-4. 

This books follows the trail of a garbage truck as it picks up garbage from in front of the homes, to the landfill, to the incinerator, and finally to the recycling center. Where Does the Garbage Go? Is filled with charts, graphs, and diagrams to help students understand that we have to much trash and we need to create solutions, like recycling, to keep from coming up with so much trash.

Websites
Green Planet for Kids
If you need to teach students about recycling, look no further. This website has all you can think of concerning recycling in a friendly and fun set-up for kids. It includes a plethora of recycling facts concerning water, electricity, heating, cooling, reduce/reuse/recycle, yard and garden, transportation, and environmental choices. Every fact comes with a fun comic! There are forums about reduce, reuse and recycle for students to read and respond to if they wish to create a login. Resources for ePostcards, Green news, and ecolinks are included. Games are also being created and coming soon!

Sesame Street "Recycling Blues"
Here is a music video about recycling. It is hand drawn and colorful. The music is upbeat and jazzy. It is sung by recycled objects singing about how they used to be something broken but now they went through recycling and now they are back as something new!

Sesame Street: Recycling Newspapers
Here is a Sesame Street video about recycling newspapers. This video describes the recycling process that newspaper goes through. Much of the video is in fast forward so you can see the process quickly. The whole video is narrated by a little girl, probably the same age as the kindergartners, or just about. Music is played in the background to keep the children engaged visually and orally.

Sesame Street: Ronnie Trash "It's Yours and Mine"

Sesame Street's character Ronnie Trash laments about how people need to recycle and stop throwing trash where it shouldn't be thrown. Ronnie Trash drives around recycling and points out people are throwing away trash in the rivers, in the streets, in the parks, and in the fields. The whole video is take-off of Johnny Cash. 

Sesame Street Video About Recycling Aluminum Cans

Here is a Sesame Street video describing how aluminum gets recycled. The whole video is narrated by a little girl. Kindergartners will relate to this video because the narration is done by a little girl probably about there age. Therefore they will not be intimidated and will more likely be able to learn from it. 

For Teachers
K.10 The student will investigate and understand that materials can be reused, recycled, and conserved. Key concepts include:

a) materials and objects can be used over and over again;

b) 

everyday materials can be recycled; and

c) water and energy conservation at home and in school helps preserve resources for future use.

Background Information

The concepts developed in this standard include the following:

• Natural resources such as water and energy should be conserved.
• Recycling helps to save our natural resources. Recycling recovers used materials. Many materials can be recycled and used again, sometimes in different forms. Examples include newspapers that are turned into writing tablets.
• Reusing materials means using them more than once. Examples include using dishes and utensils that are washed after use rather than using paper plates and plastic utensils and putting them in the trash.
• Recycling, reusing, and conserving helps preserve resources for future use.
• Resources will last longer if we recycle, reuse, and reduce consumption.

Annotated Bib - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Living on Earth, we have an important role in sustaining the environment in which we live. There are benefits to implementing reduce, reuse, and recycle into our daily routine that helps save resources and reduce pollution creating a healthy environment for plants, animals, and humans to thrive.

Books

The Earth and I by Frank Asch (2008). Sandpiper (978-0152063955). Gr.PK-2.
This book depicts our interconnectedness with the Earth with illustrations full of color to engage the reader or listener. The books tells the story of a little boy that befriends the Earth. As with any relationship, there are good days and bad days. When the Earth is feeling sad, the little boy sets out to find ways to make the Earth happy again.

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel and illust. by Alexandra Columbo (2008).Idea & Design Works (9781600102240). Gr.K-3.
There is a new superhero to help save our planet one recycling bin at a time. His name is Michael and his mission is to teach everyone about the importance of recycling. Find out about all the exciting adventures Michael pursues in order to save the planet.


Recycle! by Gail Gibbons (1996). Little Brown Books for Readers ( 9780316309431 ). Gr.2-4.
A wonderful book to introduce the benefits of recycling to sustain a healthy planet to live and grow. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the garbage you throw away? Where does it ALL go? With landfill space diminishing, recycling is a functional way to re-purpose all the trash. With colorful illustrations explaining the various recyclable products and the descriptions of what YOU can do to help, all ages will be motivated to take part in saving the planet.

The Three R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Nuria Roca and illust. by Roas M. Curto (2007). Barron Educational Series (978-0764135811). Gr. PK-2.
A great book to motivate the reader or listener to participate in supporting a healthier environment. This book suggests the "little" things that can be done each day to reduce overuse of products or products that contribute to pollution. Try this: reuse shopping bags when you go grocery shopping. Already this will reduce the production of plastic and paper products made by factories. At the end of the book are fun "recycling" activities to do.

Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green and illust. by Mike Gordon (2005). Barron's Educational Series (978-0764131554). Gr. K-3.
Children should be aware of environmental issues, like the precariousness of the environment. The books tells the story of a little girl who sees her teacher one day recycling his trash. A sense of curiosity sets in and the next day in class, Mr.Jones explains to the class about the benefits of recycling. He takes the class on a field trip to a recycling center to demonstrate the necessity of supporting a healthier environment and the convenience of recycling various products for new purposes. Recycling can be fun too!

Web Resources

CVWMA: Educational and Teacher Resources
The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority is a public service authority that implements solid waste and recycling programs for central Virginia counties. This site provides educational material to teachers and students to facilitate the benefits of recycling starting with school age children. Teachers can find resources that provide links and curricular resources for k-12.


Kaboose: Funhouse-Michael Michael Recycle!
In this interactive game, the player helps Michael pick up the litter found around the park while preventing the "litterbugs" from dropping more trash on the ground.


Mr. Nussbaum's: Save the Planet- Recycling
In this interactive game, the player takes trash from the landfill and places them in the appropriate cans according to aluminum, paper, and/or plastics.



National Geographic Kids- Recycle Round-up
Help the chimp grab trash and recycle them in the appropriate bins according to aluminum, paper, and/or plastics. You have to go fast to beat the clock!!!

Virginia Trekkers: Visit a Recycling Center
Take an online field trip with the Virginia Trekkers to a recycling center. Four Virginia area teachers take students on online field trips to various historical, natural, and/or educational locations around Virginia. On your trip to the recycling center, you will learn the benefits to the environment when you recycle materials. Recycling is very easy and can be a lot of fun too! Now, you can have a hand in sustaining the environment for generations to come.




Teaching Resources
VA SOL 1.8
The student will investigate and understand that natural resources are limited.
c) recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption of natural resources.

• Many natural resources are limited and cannot be renewed. Other resources are limited and cannot be renewed, but they may last a very long time.

• Recycling recovers used materials. Many materials can be recycled and used again, sometimes in different forms. Recycling helps to save our natural resources. An example of a recycled material is newspapers that are turned into writing tablets.

• Reusing materials means using them more than once. Examples include using dishes and utensils that are washed after use rather than using paper plates and plastic utensils and putting them in the trash.

• Resources will last longer if we recycle them, reuse them, or reduce consumption of them.