Lesson summary
Every one of us can make a positive impact on the environment with the decisions we make and the behaviours we carry out. There are a whole range of eco-friendly actions we can undertake, from thinking carefully about how we dispose of packaging to trying to understand more about the impact our purchases have on the environment, in order to make a massive difference to the environment.
In this lesson students will be inspired by how individuals can make a difference to the environment. They will begin to consider how engaging with the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) and changing their conscious recycling behaviour and consumer habits can positively impact landfill and waste material usage.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- consider some of the big environmental challenges faced in the present day.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- articulate their sphere of influence and the positive impact they can have on the environment
- begin to acknowledge how the ARL gives us the opportunity to make positive change through our individual actions and behaviours.
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
Select your curriculum from the options below.
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian Curriculum content descriptions:
Year 5 Science:
- Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE100)
Year 6 Science:
- Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)
Syllabus outcomes: ST3-7PW
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 5 Science achievement standards: Students discuss how scientific developments have affected people’s lives and help us solve problems.
Relevant parts of Year 6 Science achievement standards: Students explain how scientific knowledge helps us to solve problems and inform decisions.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Australasian Recycling Label
Time required: 55 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – scaffold students through the theory of this lesson and facilitate discussion
Resources required
- Advocate pack cover image – plastic pocket or display folder
- Art supplies – coloured pencils, etc. (optional)
- Circles of influence and control – template
- A device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Individual devices capable of accessing the internet – one per student
- Plastic pocket or display folder
- Sticky notes OR Padlet
- White paper – A4 size
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- Community engagement
- Critical thinking
- Enterprise
- Empathy
- Ethical understanding
- Global citizenship
- Initiative
- Leadership
Additional info
This lesson has been developed as part of Planet Ark’s campaign around the Australasian Recycling Label and sustainable packaging. You can get involved during Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week or at any time during the school year and join thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change. If you use any of these lessons, we highly recommend you submit an entry for the School’s Recycle Right Challenge in Term 4 and enter in the draw to win amazing prizes for your school!
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