Pollution Search
Sometimes pollution is easy to see (litter). Other times, it may be difficult (in Iowa, air pollution from cars). Project Learning Tree’s activity “Pollution Search” takes elementary students outside the classroom to look for types of pollution in their neighborhood.
Adapt this activity to middle grades by searching for pollution throughout your community using aerial photos or satellite images. As a research project, students choose different locations on maps, and investigate the types of pollution found. Continue the research by contacting the locations (factories, stores with parking lots, Natural Resource Conservation Service office, etc.) to see what places or people do to reduce/eliminate pollution. Have students give presentations to the class or community on additional ways to reduce pollution in their community.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, J. 1993. Pollution. Steck-Vaughn.
Berenstain, S. 1991. Berenstain Bears Don't Pollute (Anymore). Random House Children's Books.
Berger, M. 1994. Oil Spill! HarperCollins Publishers.
Bunting, E. 1996. Someday a Tree. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cast, C.V. 1994. Where Does Pollution Come From? Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Geisel, T.S. (Dr. Suess). 1976. The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. Random House, Inc.
Geisel, T.S. (Dr. Suess). 1971. The Lorax. Random House, Inc.
Harlow, R. and S. Morgan. 2002. Pollution and Waste. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Harper, J. 2006. All the Way to the Ocean. Freedom Three Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Cherry, L. 2002. River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children's Books.
Harlow, R. 2002. Pollution and Waste. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Norton, P. 1997. Earth Watch: A BBC Fact Finders Book. Parkwest Publications, Incorporated.
Santrey, L. 1985. Conservation and Pollution. Troll Communications L.L.C.
Snodgrass, M.E. 1991. Environmental Awareness: Land Pollution. Finney Company, Incorporated.
Stotksy, S. 1997. Pollution: Problems and Solutions. Chelsea House Publishers.
Van Allsburg, C. 1990. Just a Dream. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Walker, J. 2004. Atmosphere in Danger. Stargazer Books.
Grades 6-8
Brown, P. 2003. Global Pollution. Raintree Publishers.
Burns, L.G. 2007. Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gifford, C. 2006. Pollution. Heinemann Library.
Nardo, D. 2005. Ozone. Thomson Gale.
World Almanac. 2002. Climate and the Environment. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Grades 9-12
Haley, J. 2002. Pollution. Thomson Gale.
Miller, E. W. and R.M. Miller. 1998. Indoor Pollution: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, Incorporated.
Roleff, T.L. 1999. Pollution. Gale Group.
