Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the importance of keeping the Tennessee River clean, explore the impact of litter on the environment, and engage in creative and physical activities that promote awareness and action towards river cleanup.

Materials and Prep

• Notebook and pencil for writing and drawing
• Access to the internet or books for research (if available)
• Comfortable clothes and shoes for outdoor activity
• Optional: A reusable bag for collecting litter if going to the river

Before starting the lesson, make sure to discuss safety rules for being near water and what to do if encountering wildlife.

Activities

• Nature Walk and Observation:

  Take a walk along the Tennessee River (or a nearby park) and observe the environment. Have the student note any litter they see and discuss how it affects wildlife and the ecosystem.

• Art Project - "My Clean River":

  Using their notebook, the student can draw or paint a picture of the Tennessee River as it should look—clean and full of life. Encourage them to think about what plants and animals live there.

• Creative Writing - "A Day at the River":

  Have the student write a short story about a day spent at the Tennessee River, focusing on the adventures they have while cleaning up and the animals they meet. This can be a fun way to express their feelings about nature!

• Math - Litter Count:

  If collecting litter, the student can count how many pieces they collect and create a simple graph to show their findings. This will help them practice counting and basic graphing skills.

• Music - "Cleanup Song":

  Encourage the student to create a short song or jingle about cleaning up the river. They can use simple rhythms and rhymes to make it catchy!

• Physical Activity - Cleanup Challenge:

  Set a timer for a short period (like 15 minutes) and see how many pieces of litter the student can pick up. This will get them moving and make cleaning up fun!

Talking Points

• "Why do you think keeping the river clean is important?"
• "What kind of animals do you think live in or near the Tennessee River?"
• "How does litter affect the plants and animals in the river?"
• "What can we do to help keep our rivers clean?"
• "Did you know that some animals mistake plastic for food? How do you think that affects them?"
• "What are some fun ways we can encourage others to help clean up the river?"
• "How does cleaning up the river make you feel?"
• "Can you think of a time when you saw litter? What did you do?"
• "Why is it important to take care of our environment?"
• "How can we make sure our rivers stay clean for future generations?"