Minor Elementary School
Gwinnett County, Georgia
Creating a
Healthier, Safer,
&
More Livable Community
Focus of Investigation
•Students will investigate
how graffiti, litter, and runoff
impact the quality of life
within our school community.
Context
• Minor Elementary School
• Surrounding community
within a 2 mile radius
• Beaver Ruin Creek/wetlands
Organizing Question
In what ways do graffiti, litter,
and non-point source pollution
affect wetlands near Minor
Elementary School?
Supporting Questions
• How do graffiti and litter affect community pride?
• How do graffiti and litter affect economics of the
community?
• How do graffiti and litter link to more serious
crime?
• How do graffiti and litter contribute to non-point
source pollution?
• How does non-point source pollution impact the
ecosystem surrounding Minor Elementary?
Unit Activities
2nd Grade 3rd Grade 5th Grade
Intro through literature Intro wetlands and Intro graffiti through
Clean-up campaign around pollutants pictographs and
the school Focus on the importance underground railroad
Adopt a Road of wetlands Modern communications
Make paper from trash Learn to identify plants Investigate implications of
Litter index and animals of the graffiti
Contact through local wetland (life Perform field surveys to
businesses cycles/macro- discover attitudes of
Litter lessons invertebrates) community businesses
Investigate school Partner with local
wetlands businesses to create a
graffiti free corridor
Service Learning Projects
• Adopt a Road/Stream
• Clean up campaign around school
• Create a butterfly garden which contains
native plants
• Create a graffiti free corridor
• Storm Drain Stenciling
Authentic Assessments
2nd Grade 3rd Grade 5th Grade
Poems Posters Field survey
Slogans for web page Surveys of wetlands Power Point presentations
Posters for distribution Project – create a wetland Educational brochures
Brochures in multiple model Poems
languages Poems/stories Writings
Video – “Litterbug” Slide shows/Power Point Graphing
presentations
Minor Elementary
and
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful
Creating…
A Healthier…
Safer…
More livable
Community!
Minor Elementary School,
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful,
and The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
EIC Project 2002-2003