Third Graders Learn About Pollution

By Tanjua Damon

Imagine inheriting a piece of property along the Housatonic River and being able to do whatever you wanted with it. Third grade students in Tim McGuire’s third grade class at Middle Gate School did just that.

Larry Marsicano of Candlewood Lake Authority spoke to the elementary school students about the earth and the pollution that takes place on it.

To show the students about pollution, the third graders were able to have a piece of property along the Housatonic and had to develop the land. Students envisioned theme parks, cottages, ranches, farms, and a naval base for their inherited pieces of property.

Once they had completed their property plans, the group came together and formed the Housatonic River with their drawings, putting it together like a puzzle. They also had to bring “pollution” from their desks so they could see how it affects everyone.

As the students presented what their property represented, the pollution moved down the river from one piece of property to another. The students quickly learned how unfair pollution can be.

The students learned about point source pollution, like a factory, and non-point source pollution, which cannot be linked to a specific thing.

“We’re all part of the problem here,” Mr Marsicano told them. “We don’t know it all the time. We’re all part of the process. It’s important for all of us to be part of the solution too.”

A demonstration was also done for the students so they could see what pollution does to the water. Mr Marsicano used food coloring on a model town. He showed them how rain moves the pollution into the water.

“A watershed is the area that surrounds the lake or ocean. It drains into the water,” he said. “One of the big problems we have with erosion is we take down all the plants and trees.”

In studying Earth Day, the students learned that it is important to take care of the earth every day and to keep it clean and safe.