Unit Plan 24 (Grade K Science): Human Changes to Earth
Kindergarten unit where students explore human impacts on land, water, air, and habitats, then create solutions to reduce harm and protect the environment.
Focus: Compare examples of how humans alter land, water, air, or habitats, and communicate solutions that reduce impact in the local environment.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: Science (Earth & Space Science • Engineering Design • Environmental Stewardship)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students explore how humans change Earth in everyday ways—building roads, using water, throwing away trash, and creating noise or smoke. They compare examples of changes to land, water, air, and living things, then focus on what we can do to help: reduce, reuse, recycle, save water, and protect habitats. The unit ends with a class “Earth Helpers” share where students present a simple poster, model, or message that communicates a solution.
Essential Questions
- How do humans change land, water, air, and habitats?
- How can we tell if a change is helpful or harmful?
- What solutions can reduce human impact on the environment?
- How can we communicate an idea so others will want to help?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe at least two ways humans change land, water, air, or habitats.
- Compare examples of changes and explain whether they help or harm living things (in simple, student-friendly terms).
- Describe a local environmental problem (trash, polluted water, too much cutting, wasting water) using pictures and class discussion.
- Communicate a solution that reduces human impact using a poster, model, or short presentation.
- Use key vocabulary (e.g., reduce, reuse, recycle, pollution, habitat) in speech and labels.
Standards Alignment — Grade K (NGSS-Aligned)
- K-ESS3-3 — Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.
- Example: Create a class “Earth Helpers” message recommending recycling, saving water, or protecting habitats.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name ways people change the Earth (land, water, air, living things).
- I can say if a change is helpful or harmful and why.
- I can share one solution that helps the Earth.
- I can make a poster or model with a clear message.
- I can use words like reduce, reuse, recycle, and habitat.