Unit 3, Lesson 1

What Is Ridesharing?

Objectives:

The students will:

• > understand what the term "ridesharing" means and why it is important to air quality. Educational tools include spelling, creative writing, and word association.

TEKS:

English, Language Arts, and Reading

• Grade 6: 15A-H, 16A-G, 17A-I
• Grade 7: 15A-H, 16A-G, 17A-H
• Grade 8: 15A-G, 16A-G, 17A-H

Science

• Grade 6: 3A, 14C
• Grade 7: 3A, 14C
• Grade 8: 3A, 5A-C, 12C, 14C

Social Studies

• Grade 6: 7C, 20A, 23A-B
• Grade 7: 13A, 20A, 20C-E, 23A-B
• Grade 8: 28A-D, 29C, 32A-B

Time:

Two to three days

Materials:

• > Transportation and Air Pollution Glossary
• > Rideshare information: http://www.erideshare.com/statecity/TX.htm
• > Ozone information: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/ozonefacts.html
• > Magazines/newspapers
• > Construction paper

Teacher Preparation:

• > Before beginning, it will be helpful for you to read the rideshare and ozone information under Materials to familiarize yourself with ridesharing issues.
• > To assist the students in understanding the unit, begin with a spelling/vocabulary list.

Directions:

1. The following is a list of suggested spelling words covering ridesharing and air quality. Please feel free to add to the list as desired using words that are appropriate for your grade level. See the Transportation and Air Pollution Glossary for definitions of the words listed below.

   alternative fuel ambient air atmosphere bicycling bus car carpooling congestion contaminant cost electricity emission environment fossil fuel fumes

   gasoline growth lanes ozone particulate matter pollutant pollution ridesharing savings stratosphere tires transit troposphere vanpool walking

2. Have your class cut out magazine/newspaper pictures and articles pertaining to ridesharing and air quality to create a collage or design a classroom display or bulletin board. These pictures can be organized according to categories of ridesharing, or students may choose to paste them to a landscape. With the students, discuss how they can participate in programs relating to the activities in the cutouts to protect air quality in their area.
   
   
3. Have a discussion about what ridesharing means.
   
   

   List examples of why ridesharing is important for our community.
   It decreases air pollution and traffic congestion, etc.

   List examples of why it is important to reduce air pollution.
   Decreasing air pollution improves quality of life and health, etc.

   List examples of how air pollution affects each of us?
   It damages lungs, irritates eyes, etc.

   What are some things we can we do about air pollution and traffic congestion?
   Ride a bicycle, walk, bus or carpool to and from school, carpool with classmates to after-school activities, encourage parents to drive one or two of your friends to school with you, etc.

   How are you already helping to reduce air pollution by ridesharing in your area?
   We ride the school bus to and from school, ride a bicycle or walk to school, encourage fellow students and parents to rideshare, etc.

4. Encourage the students to write an essay relating to their rideshare collage using the vocabulary words they have learned. Begin by starting the essay for the students. Write an introductory sentence on the chalkboard. For example: "Ridesharing is good for the environment because..." Or, "Anyone can participate in ridesharing. Here is how I plan on participating."
   
   

   For younger classes, ask the students to explain their collages and explain how they plan to participate in ridesharing activities now and in the future. A story about transportation can be read. (See the list of suggested reading under Materials.)

5. Make a large sign for the classroom showing what rideshare elements your class uses traveling to and from school.
   
   

   Example:

   RIDESHARING = CARPOOLING +
   SCHOOL BUS + BICYCLING + WALKING

   Divide the class into four groups. Each group can work on one section of the sign and add their own ideas and art about their topic. The sign should be displayed in the classroom to remind students of the definition of ridesharing and how it can benefit air quality in your area.

Resources:

Classroom Materials

• > Transportation and Air Pollution Glossary

Web Sites

• > http://www.erideshare.com/statecity/TX.htm
  Texas (TX): Carpool / Rideshare Links by City, eRideShare.com
• > http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/monitoring/air/monops/ozonefacts.html
  Ozone: The Facts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
• > http://www.sacregion511.org/rideshare/
  Sacramento Area Council of Governments Rideshare Program

Source: Kim Herndon, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Mobil Source Division, Commute Options Team, 1997