The learning guide is an interdisciplinary guide designed to provide maximum flexibility in the classroom. The guide can be used as a stand-alone teaching tool, or individual activities may be used to supplement work in other subject areas. The learning guide opens with an exercise, 'Let's Talk Trash: A Litter Survey,' that encourages students to think about their own behaviors and attitudes with respect to litter. Following the litter survey are the learning guide's three teaching units: The Definition, Characteristics, and Sources of Marine Debris. In this unit, students will examine what marine debris is, where it comes from, and how it enters the marine environment. The Effects of Marine Debris. This unit explores the effects of marine debris on wildlife and coastal communities, and the potential hazards it poses to humans. Developing Solutions and Spreading the Word. In this unit, students will learn about steps they can take to prevent marine debris, investigate what individuals and organizations are doing about the problem, and explore ways to educate others about possible solutions.

"Prepared for EPA's Oceans and Coastal Protection Division under EPA Contract Number 68-C0-0068 by Eastern Research Group, Inc."--Ack. "Fall 1992"--Cover. Shipping list no.: 93-0043-P. Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-74). "EPA842-B-92-003"--Cover.

"Turning the Tide on Trash ... is an interdisciplinary guide designed to provide maximum flexibility in the classroom." The curriculum guide is designed for use either as a primary tool, or to supplement work in other subject areas. Three teaching units develop concepts on 1) The definition, characteristics, and sources of marine debris; 2) The effects of marine debris; and 3) Developing solutions and spreading the word. Units contain questions regarding the concepts, background information, 'Facts from the Deep', objectives, instructions on activities, vocabulary, materials, learning skills, duration (typically 40 minutes), necessary reproducibles, and procedures. Academic subject areas encompass art, language arts, mathematics, music, science and social studies. Guide appears to be directed to teachers of upper elementary and middle school students.