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=**ELA 7 ENVIRONMENTAL INQUIRY UNIT**=

=Unit Overview= The earth is important to each and every one of us. Our environment is an intricate ecosystem and we are an important part of that system. We affect and are affected by elements of the natural world. The actions that we, our families, and our communities take have profound effects on the natural environment. We are its guardians and each of us must accept that responsibility. Each of us must do his or her part.

=**INQUIRY LEARNING**= Here are some links to help you better understand the Inquiry Process of Activating, Pursuing and Sharing the Inquiry. An overview of Inquiry and a comparison between a traditional and an inquiry classroom: [|http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/inquiry/index.html] A site that provides information and examples on different types of questions: http://changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/questioning.htm =** Essential Question: **= = Why should people care about the planet Earth? =

=**Guiding Questions:**= = Key Objectives = = =
 * ** How do we depend on the environment? **
 * ** What are some problems facing the environment? **
 * ** What do you think will happen to the environment during your lifetime? **
 * ** Of all the ways that we may be doing harm to the earth, which concerns you most? **
 * **What are some things that you and your peers can do to show your respect and care for the environment?**
 * The key objectives to focus on: **
 * 1) ** Identifying audience, role, purpose, and situation is important when considering the appropriate and correct language to use and in order to understand what is heard, read, or viewed. **
 * 2) ** Draw on prior knowledge and experience by considering what they know and need to know about the topic. **
 * 3) ** Formulate questions before listening. **
 * 4) ** Make inferences based on text and prior knowledge **
 * 5) **Draw conclusions based on evidence in text.**


 * ** Create a question board that can be added to at any time. **
 * ** Include at the beginning that a journal or a blog will be used for each activity. **