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4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

Date: 21 Aug 2006


Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology
4.2: Renewable and Nonrenewable Rescources


This page contains the criteria for teaching Renewable and Nonrenewable Resourcesthat were developed in the PA Academic Standards. Clicking on a grade levelbelow will skip directly to the criteria for educators teaching at or belowthat grade. Clicking on the criteria will lead to all the teaching resourcesrelated to it.

Fourth Grade |Seventh Grade |Tenth Grade |Twelfth Grade

Grade 4 : Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2.4)
Fourth Grade: 4.2A Fourth Grade: 4.2B Fourth Grade: 4.2C Fourth Grade: 4.2D
Identify needs of people.
  • Identify plants, animals, water, air, minerals and fossil fuels as natural resources.
  • Explain air, water and nutrient cycles.
  • Identify how the environment provides for the needs of people.
Identify products derived from natural resources.
  • Identify products made from trees.
  • Identify by-products of plants and animals.
  • Identify the sources of manmade products (e.g., plastics, metal, aluminum, fabrics, paper, cardboard).
Know that some natural resources have limited life spans.
  • Identify renewable and nonrenewable resources used in the local community.
  • Identify various means of conserving natural resources.
  • Know that natural resources have varying life spans.
Identify by-products and their use of natural resources.
  • Understand the waste stream.
  • Identify those items that can be recycled and those that can not.
  • Identify use of reusable products.
  • Identify the use of compost, landfills and incinerators.

Grade 7 : Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2.7)
Seventh Grade: 4.2A Seventh Grade: 4.2B Seventh Grade: 4.2C Seventh Grade: 4.2D
Know that raw materials come from natural resources.
  • Identify resources used to provide humans with energy, food, housing and water.
  • Explain how plants and animals may be classified as natural resources.
  • Compare means of growing or acquiring food.
  • Identify fiber and other raw materials used in clothing and shelter production.
  • Identify types of minerals and fossil fuels used by humans.
Examine the renewability of resources.
  • Identify renewable resources and describe their uses.
  • Identify nonrenewable resources and describe their uses.
  • Compare finished products to their original raw material.
  • Identify the waste derived from the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
  • Determine how consumption may impact the availability of resources.
  • Compare the time spans of renewability for fossil fuels and alternative fuels.
Explain natural resource distribution.
  • Distinguish between readily available and less accessible resources.
  • Identify the locations of different concentrations of fossil fuels and mineral resources.
  • Analyze the effects of management practices on air, land and water in forestry, agriculture, fisheries, wildlife, mining and food and fiber production that is unique to different climates.
Describe the role of recycling and waste management.
  • Identify materials that can be recycled in the community.
  • Explain the process of closing the loop in recycling.
  • Compare the decomposition rates of different organic materials.
  • Describe methods that could be used to reuse materials for new products.
  • Evaluate the costs and benefits of disposable products.

Grade 10 : Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2.10)
Tenth Grade: 4.2A Tenth Grade: 4.2B Tenth Grade: 4.2C Tenth Grade: 4.2D
Explain that renewable and nonrenewable resources supply energy and materials.
  • Identify alternative sources of energy.
  • Identify and compare fuels used in industrial and agricultural societies.
  • Compare and contrast the cycles of various natural resources.
  • Explain food and fiber as renewable resources.
Evaluate factors affecting availability of natural resources.
  • Describe natural occurrences that may affect the natural resources.
  • Analyze technologies that affect the use of our natural resources.
  • Evaluate the effect of consumer desires on various natural resources.
Analyze how man-made systems have impacted the management and distribution of natural resources.
  • Explain the complete cycle of a natural resource, from extraction to disposal, detailing its uses and effects on the environment.
  • Analyze energy uses and energy conservation in different regions.
  • Examine conservation practices in different countries.
  • Analyze the costs and benefits of different man-made systems and how they use renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
  • Analyze the impact of information systems on management and distribution of natural resources.
Explain different management alternatives involved in recycling and solid waste management.
  • Analyze the manufacturing process (before, during and after) with consideration for resource recovery.
  • Compare various methods dealing with solid waste (e.g., incineration, compost, land application).
  • Differentiate between pre/postconsumer and raw materials.
  • Illustrate how one natural resource can be managed through reduction, recycling, reuse or use.

Grade 12 : Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (4.2.12)
Twelfth Grade: 4.2A Twelfth Grade: 4.2B Twelfth Grade: 4.2C Twelfth Grade: 4.2D
Analyze the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
  • Explain the effects on the environment and sustainability through the use of nonrenewable resources.
  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of reusing our natural resources.
Analyze factors affecting the availability of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
  • Evaluate the use of natural resources and offer approaches for using them while diminishing waste.
  • Compare the economics of different areas based on the availability and accessibility of the natural resources.
Analyze factors that influence the availability of natural resources.
    Compare the use of natural resources in different countries.
  • Determine how delivery systems influence the availability of resources at the local, regional and national level.
Evaluate solid waste management practices.
  • Examine and explain the path of a recyclable material from collection to waste, reuse or recycling identifying the market forces.
  • Understand current regulations concerning recycling and solid waste.
  • Research new technologies in the use, reuse or recycling of materials.