Air Pollution

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 2

Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 4
Activity Page ▶ pages 5 - 6
Practice Page ▶ page 7
Grade Level: 1-3

Homework Page
Answer Key
▶
▶
page 8
page 9 - 10
 Classroom Procedure: Approximate Grade Level: 1 – 3

1. Ask students to name things that can be found in Objectives:

the outside air. The students will be able to define air pollution and
list some causes and effects of air pollution.
2. Allow for responses and discussion.
Common Core State Standards:
3. Ask: Is everything good for you that might be in
the air? Why or why not? CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.B
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.4
4. Allow for responses and discussion. Introduce air CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.2
pollution. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.5
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.3
5. Distribute Air Pollution content pages. Read CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.4
and review the information and images with the CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.7
students. Use the additional resources to enhance CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.2
understanding. Save the final question for lesson CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3
closing. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.2
6. Distribute Activity page. Read and review the
instructions. Distribute colored pencils reminding Class Sessions (45 minutes):
the students their pictures do not have to be exact, At least 2 class sessions
but a new drawing showing what the scene would
Teaching Materials/Worksheets:
be like without pollution.
Air Pollution content pages (2), Activity pages (2),
7. When completed, allow each student to share their Practice page, Homework page
new pictures.
Student Supplies:
8. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the colored pencils, handouts
students’ responses.
Prepare Ahead of Time:
9. Distribute the Homework page. The next day, check Colored pencils needed for activity. Copy
and review the students’ responses. handouts.
10. In closing, ask: Have you ever seen air pollution? Options for Lesson:
Indoors or outdoors? What was it like? Allow students to add houses, trees, etc., to the
11. Allow for responses and discussion. details of the activity pictures. Use larger drawing
paper for activity pictures, display completed
work in the classroom. Take students outside to
recognize if there is any pollution in the air or the
area. Discuss indoor air pollution with students,
such as smoking. Show a video from additional
resources giving examples of air pollution. Do the
homework together as a class or pair students to
complete in-class.

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 Teacher Notes
The lesson introduces the students to the term pollution, and more specifically, air pollution. The lesson could
include other types of pollution once students understand pollution in general. One of the best ways to get
students to get a clear understanding of pollution is by showing images of air, or other kinds, of pollution.
Discovering how they can help prevent pollution also will keep students interested in the topic.
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Additional Resources:
CONTENT:
http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/what-is-air-pollution.html
http://www.kidsecologycorps.org/our-environment/natural-cycles/air-pollution
http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/airquality.html
http://www.ducksters.com/science/environment/air_pollution.php
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-air-pollution-facts.php
http://kidsenvirohealth.nlm.nih.gov/topic/001/air-pollution/
http://www.hcdoes.org/airquality/kids/pollution.htm
http://www.momjunction.com/articles/air-pollution-facts-and-information-for-kids_00380443/
WORKSHEETS:
http://www.edhelper.com/teach/teach_Pollution.htm
http://www.southwestohioair.org/downloads/clean_air_activi_O3gTG.pdf
https://en.islcollective.com/resources/printables/worksheets_doc_docx/air_pollution/environment-beginner-prea1/2070
http://www.schoolexpress.com/fws/cat.php?id=2763
http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/52185.html
http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/applicable-to-secondary/moi/support-and-resources/
personal-social-and-humanities-education-secondary-1-to-3/s3%20topic%204%20air%20pollution.pdf
http://children.scottishairquality.co.uk/what-can-i-do?view=worksheet
VIDEOS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAKyhfxxr7s (5 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJHVLP5SBc (3 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e35xZ2C4x3w (10 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YDMsehsMQ (2 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VauAzs6BlY (11 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9tmHXJQons (5 min)

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Air Pollution
When your hands and face are dirty you easily clean them with soap
and water. When the air becomes dirty it is not as easy to clean.
When there is dirt and other substances in the air that should not
be there, it is called air pollution.
Air pollution is made up of gases, dust, odors, particles, smoke,
fumes, and other substances which can be harmful to humans,
animals, plants, and all living organisms. The air becomes filthy and unclean.
Air pollution affects the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere of the Earth is like a blanket of air which
protects all life. Without the atmosphere, life would not exist. The atmosphere protects living organisms
from the heat of the Sun during the day, and at night it prevents the warm air from escaping. Basically, the
atmosphere helps keep the living things on Earth from becoming too hot or too cold.
The pollution in the air, though, affects this “blanket” and becomes harmful to life on Earth. The substances
causing the air to become dirty are called pollutants. Some examples of pollutants include gases with
harmful chemicals in them. There may also be sand, dust particles, and other substances that evaporate
and become pollutants.
It is difficult to avoid the pollution in the air since it is the place where people get the oxygen to breathe and
live. Pollution can travel with the wind from one place to another and spread over a large number of miles.
Pollution can be caused by humans or it can also occur naturally. For example, natural pollution may come
from volcanoes, forest fires, wind storms, pollen in the air, and other sources in nature.

Air Pollution Caused By Humans

• Release of smoke and fumes from factories

1
• Power plants release poisonous gas like carbon monoxide
• Gasoline plants also release dangerous chemicals
• Occurs because products and electricity are produced

• Burning of fuels such as gasoline, oil, and others

2 • Released from cars, trucks, trains, buses, and airplanes

• Occurs because people use transportation each day

3
 • Household and farming chemicals

3 • Chemicals sprayed on vegetation, grass, to kills bugs

• Occurs because farmers and homeowners want to kill bugs
help plants, grass, and gardens grow
One other type of pollution is called smog. Smog develops when smoke and fog are mixed together. The
fog by itself is not harmful, but when it is mixed with smoke from cars or other sources, it can become harmful
to living things.

Effects Of Air Pollution

Acid rain: rain mixed with pollution in the air. Can cause harm to trees, animals, fish, and other organisms.

Breathing problems for people, especially those with asthma.

Irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat.

Headaches or allergic reactions

Long-term effects can include lung cancer, heart disease or other health problems.

Some of the things you can do to reduce air pollution includes using less electricity and walking instead of
riding in a car. The more energy used by people, the more pollution there will be in the world.

Smog in Egypt

Have you ever seen air pollution? Indoors or

outdoors? What was it like?

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Redraw each picture in the space WITHOUT the air pollution.

5
6
Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

7
 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

Fill in the blanks using the correct word from the list
When the air becomes _______________ it is not as easy to clean. When there is dirt
atmosphere
and other substances in the air that should not be there, it is called air _______________.
chemicals
dirty
Air pollution is made up of gases, dust, odors, _______________, smoke, fumes, and Earth
other _______________. heat
humans
life
Air pollution affects the Earth’s _______________. The atmosphere of the Earth is
miles
like a blanket of air which protects all ______________.
naturally
night
The atmosphere protects living organisms from the _______________ of the Sun oxygen
during the day, and at _______________ it prevents the warm air from escaping. particles
pollutants
pollution
The pollution in the air, though, affects this “blanket” and becomes harmful to life on
_______________. substances
volcanoes
wind
The substances causing the air to become dirty are called _______________. Some
examples include gases with harmful _______________ in them.

It is difficult to avoid the pollution in the air since it is the place where people get the _______________ to
breathe and live.

Pollution can travel with the _______________ from one place to another and spread over a large number
of _______________.

Pollution can be caused by _______________ or it can also occur ______________.

For example, natural pollution may come from _______________.

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Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

9
 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Fill in the blanks using the correct word from the list
When the air becomes dirty it is not as easy to clean. When there is dirt and other
atmosphere
substances in the air that should not be there, it is called air pollution.
chemicals
dirty
Air pollution is made up of gases, dust, odors, particles, smoke, fumes, and other Earth
substances. heat
humans
life
Air pollution affects the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere of the Earth is like a blanket miles
of air which protects all life. naturally
night
oxygen
The atmosphere protects living organisms from the heat of the Sun during the day, and particles
at night it prevents the warm air from escaping. pollutants
pollution
substances
The pollution in the air, though, affects this “blanket” and becomes harmful to life on Earth.
volcanoes
wind
The substances causing the air to become dirty are called pollutants. Some examples include gases with
harmful chemicals in them.

It is difficult to avoid the pollution in the air since it is the place where people get the oxygen to breathe and live.

Pollution can travel with the wind from one place to another and spread over a large number of miles.

Pollution can be caused by humans or it can also occur naturally.

For example, natural pollution may come from volcanoes.

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