Math, Science and Social Studies

Lesson Plan for Grade Seven Math, Science and Social Studies 

Summary: In this lesson, students will gain an understanding of how to use and create circle graphs. Circle graphs can be an effective way to organize information when trying to see the percentages of certain things in relation to a whole. The percentages that the students will be looking at in this lesson are of the consumption of resources such as water, power and energy.  The circle graphs will help students to see the percentages of resources that they use compared to other people in their province, or that their province as a whole uses compared to other provinces. Once students have an understanding of the amount of these resources that are used, they can explore the effects of these levels of consumption on the environment at large.

Outcomes/Indicators:

• Math:
• SP7.2 Demonstrate an understanding of circle graphs.
• Science:
• HT7.1 Asses the impact of past and current heating and cooling technologies related to food, clothing, and shelter on self, society and then environment. 
• HT7.3 Investigate principles and applications of heat transfer via the process of conduction, convection and radiation. 
• Social Studies:
• Appraise the impact of human habitation on the natural environment in Canada, and in a selection of Pacific Rim and northern circumpolar countries. 
• RW 7.3 Asses the ecological stewardship of economics of Canada and the circumpolar and Pacific Rim countries. S

Summary of Activity: The following link will link will be the main guide for the bulk of the activity: Energy effective homes: creating circle graphs.

Links to support the making of circle graphs: Constructing circle graphs and math is fun

To start this lesson, students will need to identify resources that they use in their daily lives. They can then use the circle graph and numbers found in the above link to compare data in regards to resource consumption from two different years. The circle graph beside question one can be compared to the circle graph the students will create in question two. This will show the comparison between Saskatchewan homes use of greenhouse gases compared to the rest of Canada. Look at information that has been gathered and talk as a class or in groups about the two graphs and whether the numbers are equal, more or less than the other. The students could then make another circle graph based on where they think their family falls in comparison to the Canadian average. To collect the data for their own circle graph the students could take part in an energy walk about 

Once students' attention has been brought to the shocking percentages of resources that Canadians use, as a class you can talk about the uses of natural resources and what we in Saskatchewan are doing about this. Are there any ways we can help reduce these numbers to make a cleaner and healthier environment? Get the students to brainstorm ways to save energy and to make others more conscious of the environment and energy savings within their home. 

Resources that can be used to explore the use of our resources and how we can use them more wisely: 

• Water: take shorter showers or wash multiple dishes at once rather then just a few. (Reduce hot water use for energy savings) 
• Lighting: be conscious of shutting off lights when you are not in the room, and use energy efficient light bulbs. (energy saving tips)
• Space cooling: do not run air conditioners all day long. (10 way to save energy) 
• Space heating: have good insulated walls, especially around the doors and windows, and be aware of the temperature that the furnace is set to. (video)
• Appliances: do not run them when they are not essential, and only use things like the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full. (what you need to know about appliances)