Caring for Our Shared Home
FoundationThe Earth is the shared home of people, animals and plants; save water and power, recycle, and care for nature — everyone can help.
- The Earth is the shared home of people, animals and plants.
- Rubbish and pollution harm animals and plants.
- Save water and power: tap off when brushing, lights off when leaving.
文體小知識：說明文把道理一步一步講明白。這一篇告訴你地球家園正面對什麼問題，小朋友可以做些什麼。
§Text Passage
1The Earth is a beautiful planet and the shared home of people, animals and plants. We go to school and live in cities; birds nest in trees, fish swim in the sea, and big trees and flowers grow in the soil. The Earth gives sunlight, air, water and food to millions of living things. This home belongs to everyone, and we must care for it well.
2Yet rubbish and pollution are making the Earth sick. Litter left on the streets smells and attracts insects and rats. Plastic bags drift into the sea; turtles eat them by mistake and fall ill, and birds tangled in plastic rings cannot fly. Waste gases make the air dirty, and waste water kills fish and shrimps. When animals and plants lose a clean home, people suffer in the end too.
3Even children can care for the Earth today. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, and switch off lights and fans when leaving a room — that saves water and electricity. Clean and sort waste paper, plastic bottles and cans into recycling bins so they can be used again. Bring your own shopping bag, and use both sides of the paper to make less rubbish.
4The flowers, trees and little animals of the park are members of the Earth's home too. Enjoy beautiful flowers with your eyes only, and watch insects quietly instead of catching them. When everyone does a small part, together it becomes a great power. Start today and be a child who loves and cares for the Earth!
1Summary 重點摘要
The Earth is the shared home of people, animals and plants; save water and power, recycle, and care for nature — everyone can help.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The place where people, animals and plants live; the Earth is our home.
Things we throw away; put them in the bin or the recycling bin.
Making the air, water or land dirty and harmful.
Collecting used things so they can be made into new things.
Using less water, such as turning off the tap when brushing teeth.
Using less electricity, such as switching off lights when leaving a room.
The air, water, land and living things around us.
The living things on Earth that share the home with people.
To treasure and look after without harming.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: The Earth is our shared homeThe Earth is a beautiful planet and the shared home of people, animals and plants. We go to school and live in cities; birds nest in trees, lions live on grasslands, fish swim in the sea; big trees, flowers and grass grow in the soil. Animals breathe air, drink water and eat food, and plants need sunlight, air and water — all from the Earth. The Earth gives sunlight, air, water and food to millions of living things, so we say: the Earth is the common home of all living things.
- Step 2: The trouble with rubbishIf we drop litter everywhere, the Earth gets sick. Rubbish piled in the streets smells and draws insects and rats; wind blows rubbish into rivers and the sea, where turtles eat plastic bags by mistake and fall ill, and birds caught in plastic rings cannot fly. Buryed rubbish does not disappear for a very long time, and the roots of plants cannot grow well. A small piece of litter can harm animals and plants far away, so never drop litter — always put it in the bin.
- Step 3: Pollution hurts animals and plantsBesides rubbish, pollution also damages our home. Waste gases from factories and cars make the air dirty; people cough when they breathe it, and plants grow weak. Waste water flowing into rivers and the sea poisons fish and shrimps; very loud noise scares birds away so they dare not return to their nests. When the air, water and land are polluted, animals and plants lose a clean home, and people suffer in the end, because we breathe the same air and drink the same water. Protecting the environment protects all living things.
- Step 4: Small acts to save water and powerWe need not wait until we grow up; children can care for the Earth today. To save water: turn off the tap while brushing teeth, take shorter showers, and twist the tap tightly after washing so it does not drip. To save power: switch off lights and fans when leaving a room, and use air conditioning less on cool days. Making water and electricity uses the Earth's resources; saving a little makes them last longer. Keep doing these small things every day, and the Earth becomes a healthier home.
- Step 5: Recycle and use things wellEmpty plastic bottles, used paper and drink cans can actually be made into new things. Clean them and sort them into recycling bins — waste paper becomes recycled paper, and plastic bottles can become fibres for clothes. Bring your own bag when shopping to use fewer plastic bags; finish both sides of every sheet of paper; give toys and books you no longer need to children who want them. Making less rubbish and using things well stops the Earth's resources from being wasted.
- Step 6: Care for plants and little animalsThe flowers, trees and little animals of the park are members of the Earth's home too. When you see beautiful flowers, enjoy them with your eyes and do not pick them; watch your step and keep off the grass; when you see little insects, observe them quietly instead of catching them and taking them home. Feeding wild pigeons or monkeys makes them lose their skill of finding food, so do not feed them either. Caring for every plant, insect and bird keeps the Earth's home lively and beautiful for all.
5Worked example Example
Example: Mei sees someone throw a drink can onto the grass in the park. What should she do, and why?
- A can left on the grass crushes the plants, and its sharp edge may cut little animals or children passing by.
- Mei should not scold or push the person herself; she must stay calm and polite.
- She can tell the adult with her and ask them to politely remind the person to put the can in the recycling bin.
- If it is safe, Mei may also pick up the can with an adult and put it in the nearby recycling bin.
- Answer: Mei should tell an adult, who can politely remind the person to put the litter in the recycling bin; if safe, she may pick up the can with an adult. Litter hurts plants and little animals — caring for the Earth starts with small acts.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Whose home is the Earth?
Q2What happens when plastic bags drift into the sea?
Q3How do we save water when brushing teeth?
Q4What should we do with empty plastic bottles?
Q5What should we do when we see beautiful flowers?
8Recap Recap
- The Earth is the shared home of people, animals and plants.
- Rubbish and pollution harm animals and plants.
- Save water and power: tap off when brushing, lights off when leaving.
- Clean and sort paper, bottles and cans for recycling.
- Care for plants and animals — be a good keeper of the Earth.