Erase It! Acid Rain

Acid rain is an ever-growing environmental problem that affects the whole planet. Let’s work together to stop the damage with anti-pollution and conservation efforts.

• 1.

  Acidic pollution in the upper atmosphere falls back down to Earth inside raindrops or other precipitation. Acid rain harms vegetation, trees, materials such as rubber windshield wipers, and even metal and stone outdoor statues and buildings almost everywhere in the world.

• 2.

  Learn more about what causes acid rain and how we can reduce it. Find a way to convince people about the need for action in a dramatic way, such as a poster! With Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils, illustrate the causes and effects of acid rain white paper.

• 3.

  Show why we need to erase the problem of acid rain—and how to do it (use less electricity and other energy; carpool, walk, or bike). For instance, you could include factory smokestacks or cars and trucks with exhaust fumes, eroding stone and paint, along with light switches that are off and people biking to work.

• 4.

  Use the erasers to remove some color and add highlights: clouds in the sky, lines to form bricks, beams of sunshine on windows. You can also fill in an erased area with another color or medium. Where can you post your reminder about acid rain so others will take heed? Get your whole school involved!

Benefits

• Students learn what causes acid rain and understand the harmful affects it has.
• Students research what can be done to prevent acid rain and other forms of pollution.
• Students draw a scene depicting the causes and effects of acid rain and solutions to the problem.

Adaptations

• Create a bulletin board of drawings showing the causes, effects, and solutions to acid rain.
• Younger children and those with special needs may benefit from initial practice with the erasers. After they experiment with the effects they can create, children will feel more confident about drawing with them.
• Determine the acidity of rainfall in your area. Take measurements in various places. From where does this pollution come? Ask local environmental officials—the response may surprise you!
• Research which countries produce the most pollution and which countries are most affected by acid rain. Draw maps to show where the pollution is sent into the atmosphere, and where it falls.
• Write and illustrate a story about how school-age children help rid the world of pollution. Could it really happen?
• Find out what important landmarks have already been moved indoors or restored because of acid rainfall and pollution.
• Assessment: Write a paragraph each about the causes, effects, and solutions for acid rainfall and illustrate them. Verify accuracy and completeness.