Litter-ally a Better City

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• creative thinking
• critical thinking
• collaboration
• community engagement

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description:

Year 8, Geography

Students learn about:

• strategies to manage the sustainability of Australia’s changing urban places (AC9HG8K09)
• Identify a strategy for action in relation to environmental, economic, social or other factors, and explain potential impacts (AC9HG8S05).

Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards: Students explain responses or strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge, referring to environmental, economic or social factors.

NSW Syllabus outcomes:

A student

•  discusses management of places and environments for their sustainability (GE4-5)

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability 

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - the teacher facilitates discussions, explains key concepts, and supports group activities and differentiation to ensure all students engage successfully.

UN SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

• Device capable of displaying audiovisual material
• Devices for student research
• Printed copies of the Community Stories - case studies
• Student Worksheet
• Visual Explainer

Following this lesson plan is an ideal way for your school to take part in Schools Clean Up Day or an Every Day Clean Up. You’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change. For more information on how you can get involved, download The Clean Up Australia Educator's Guide here.

Students, Schools and Eco-Anxiety: Teaching and Learning for Eco-Optimism

Quick Summary: This aligns with our carbon cycle lesson, where students explore how Earth’s systems interact through key processes like combustion and photosynthesis. This PL supports you in guiding students beyond the science, helping them connect the dots between knowledge, systems thinking, and meaningful action.