Hello, Awesome Explorer! Let's Learn About "Environment and I"

Welcome to a super interesting journey! In this chapter, we're going to become detectives and explorers of the world around us. We'll learn how to read maps like a pro, discover how the weather and seasons are our daily buddies, and find out how we can all be superheroes for our amazing planet, Earth!

Why is this important? Because the Earth is our home! Understanding our environment – all the nature and surroundings around us – helps us live better, stay safe, and take good care of it for everyone. Ready? Let's begin!


Part 1: Being a Map Explorer!

Have you ever seen a map? A map is like a drawing of a place from above, as if you were a bird flying high in the sky! Maps help us know where to go and find different places, like your school, a park, or even a whole country.

What's on a Map? The Secret Codes!

To read a map, you need to know its secret codes. Don't worry, they're easy to learn!

  • Map Keys (or a Legend): This is a special box on the map that explains what all the little pictures (symbols) mean. For example, a symbol of a tree might mean there's a park, and a symbol of a swing might mean there's a playground.
  • Directions: Most maps show you directions. The four main directions are North, South, East, and West. To remember them, just think of this silly sentence: Never Eat Soggy Waffles!
  • Grid Squares: Sometimes, maps have lines on them that look like a checkerboard. These squares are called grid squares. They help you find a location more easily, just like in the game Battleship!

Maps in the Modern World

Today, we have super smart maps on our phones and tablets! These are called digital maps. You might have seen your parents use them to plan a car trip or find the quickest way to walk to the MTR station. We can use them to plan our routes anywhere we want to go!

Quick Review Box

Map Skills Check!
A map key tells us what symbols mean.
Directions (N, E, S, W) tell us which way to go.
Grid squares help us find exact spots.
You're already a great map reader!

Key Takeaway for Part 1

Maps are amazing tools that help us understand where things are. By learning their 'secret codes' like keys, directions, and grids, we can become confident explorers of our community and the world.


Part 2: Our Environment Shapes Our Lives

The natural environment is everything around us that was not made by people. This includes mountains, rivers, oceans, the air we breathe, and the weather. Our environment has a big effect on how we live every day!

Living in Hong Kong: Our Special Environment

Hong Kong has a very special environment. If you look around, you'll see lots of beautiful hills and mountains. This is called Hong Kong's relief. Because it's so hilly, most of our buildings and homes are built on the flatter land near the coast.

Sometimes, the government needs to create more flat land for us to live and work on. To do this, they sometimes build new land out into the sea. This shows how we change the environment to meet our needs.

It's all about balance! We need places to live, but we also must protect our beautiful natural environment. It's a team effort!

How the Environment Changes What We Do

People all over the world adapt to their environment. Think about it:

  • Clothing: We wear shorts and t-shirts in Hong Kong's hot summer, but people in cold countries wear thick jackets and boots to stay warm.
  • Food: Since Hong Kong is by the sea, seafood is very popular here! In other parts of the world, people eat different foods that grow well in their environment.
  • Housing: In places with lots of snow, houses often have steep, sloped roofs so the heavy snow can slide right off.
Did you know?

The way people live, including their food, clothing, and houses, is part of their culture. So, the geographical environment has a big impact on a place's culture!

Key Takeaway for Part 2

The natural environment, like mountains and the climate, affects where we build our homes and how we live our daily lives. We learn to adapt to our environment and must find a balance between our needs and protecting nature.


Part 3: Watching the Weather and Seasons

What's the weather like today? Is it sunny, rainy, or windy? The weather and the changing seasons have a big impact on what we can do.

Seasonal Fun!

The changes in seasons affect our everyday life. In Hong Kong...

  • In hot summers, we might go swimming at the beach or stay inside where it's cool.
  • In cool, dry autumns, it's the perfect time for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
  • In cold winters, we wear warmer clothes and enjoy hot pot with our families.

Staying Safe in All Weather

It's very important to know how to stay safe in different weather conditions. Here are some simple safety measures:

  • When it's very hot and sunny: Drink plenty of water, wear a hat, and find shade to stay cool.
  • When there's a typhoon warning: The most important thing is to stay indoors where it is safe. Listen to the news for updates.
  • When it's cold: Wear layers of warm clothing to keep your body warm.
Key Takeaway for Part 3

Weather and seasons change our daily plans and activities. By taking simple safety steps, we can enjoy every season and be prepared for any kind of weather.


Part 4: Our Earth, Our Home

Our planet Earth gives us everything we need to live. These gifts from nature are called natural resources. But our home is facing some big challenges, and it needs our help!

Earth's Amazing Resources

Natural resources are all the useful things that come from the Earth. Some examples are:

  • Clean water to drink
  • Fresh air to breathe
  • Forests for wood and animal homes
  • Soil to grow our food

In Hong Kong, a lot of our fresh water comes from the Dongjiang river in our country. Water is precious, so it's important to save it!

When Nature Gets Strong: Natural Hazards

Sometimes, nature shows its powerful side through events called natural hazards. These can be dangerous. Some examples are typhoons, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. In Hong Kong, we need to be most prepared for typhoons and heavy rain that can cause floods.

Big Challenges for Our Planet

Our Earth is facing some serious problems because of human activities.

  • Climate Change & Global Warming: You can think of it like the Earth getting a fever. Pollution acts like a blanket, trapping heat and making the whole planet warmer. This causes changes in our weather, like more extreme heat and stronger storms.
  • Pollution: This happens when we make our environment dirty. There is water pollution (when trash and chemicals get into our oceans and rivers) and air pollution (when smoke from cars and factories gets into our air).

The good news is that our country and people all over the world are working hard on solutions, like protecting natural areas (like the Hong Kong Geopark) and finding cleaner ways to make energy.

Be an Earth Superhero! Our Responsibilities

Taking care of the Earth isn't just a job for grown-ups. We all have a part to play! This is called environmental conservation. Every small action helps!

Here’s how you can be an Earth Superhero every day:

  1. Save Energy: Turn off the lights, TV, and computer when you are finished using them. Simple!
  2. Reduce Waste at the Source: This is a fancy way of saying "make less trash"! Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones. Pack your lunch in a reusable box. Say "no, thank you" to plastic bags you don't need.
  3. Save Water: Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth. Try to take shorter showers.
Quick Review Box

Superhero Actions!
1. Save Energy: Lights off!
2. Reduce Waste: Use it again!
3. Save Water: Taps off!
You've got the power to protect our planet!

Key Takeaway for Part 4

The Earth gives us precious resources, but it faces challenges like climate change and pollution. We all have a responsibility to protect our home by taking simple actions every day to save energy, reduce waste, and conserve water.