Vocabulary for Describing Environmental Science and Urban Planning

Introduction (5 minutes):

• Explain the purpose of the lesson: to learn new vocabulary related to environmental science and urban planning.
• Introduce the concepts of environmental science and urban planning, and review basic vocabulary related to each.
• Introduce the format of the lesson: New vocabulary will be provided and explained in context, with explanations and examples.

Vocabulary for Environmental Science (25 minutes):

• Carbon footprint: How an individual, business, or organization affects the environment by emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
• Ecosystem: A community of living organisms and their environment, functioning as a self-sustaining unit.
• Biodegradable: A material that can be broken down into simple, natural elements by biological organisms.
• Renewable energy: Energy that is generated from resources that are naturally replenished, such as wind, solar, and water.
• Pollution: The introduction of contaminants into the environment that have a negative effect on living organisms.
• Climate change: The long-term shift in global weather patterns caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Vocabulary for Urban Planning (25 minutes):

• Zoning: A system of laws and regulations governing how land can be used in a given area.
• Gentrification: The process of renovating a neighborhood and attracting higher-income residents.
• Density: The number of people and buildings in a given area.
• Suburb: A residential area located on the outskirts of a larger city.
• Transportation infrastructure: Roads, bridges, public transit, and other elements that enable people and goods to move from place to place.
• Urban sprawl: The rapid expansion of a city and its suburbs into nearby rural areas.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Summarize the key concepts learned in the lesson.
• Remind students that the new vocabulary terms for environmental science and urban planning can be used to discuss and describe the world around them.

Summary:
• Introduced the purpose of the lesson and the format.
• Explained and provided examples of vocabulary related to environmental science, such as carbon footprint, ecosystem, biodegradable, renewable energy, pollution, and climate change.
• Explained and provided examples of vocabulary related to urban planning, such as zoning, gentrification, density, suburb, transportation infrastructure, and urban sprawl.
• Summarized the key concepts and reminded students of the new vocabulary terms.