Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students review the waste management system in the school, develop a plan to cut the amount of solid waste in the school and develop another plan to reduce the amount of paper used by the school that is generated as waste.
Following this lesson plan is an ideal way for your school to take part in Schools Clean Up Day or a Clean Up on any day of the year. You’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change.
Learning intentions:
- Students recognise that everyone in the school produces solid waste, and the school is already taking steps to reduce this, but there are steps the school community can all take to cut this waste even further.
- Students understand that a waste management system includes the containers in the school used to collect different types of waste and the processes used to deal with them.
- Students understand that a school uses large quantities of paper but applying the principles of the Waste Hierarchy can drastically cut this usage.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 7 Geography
- Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS053)
- Reflect on their learning to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social considerations, and predict the expected outcomes of their proposal (ACHGS054)
Year 8 Geography
- Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS061)
- Reflect on their learning to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social considerations, and predict the expected outcomes of their proposal (ACHGS062)
Year 9 Geography
- The effects of the production and consumption of goods on places and environments throughout the world and including a country from North-East Asia (ACHGK068)
- Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms, selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose; using relevant geographical terminology, and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS070)
- Reflect on and evaluate findings of an inquiry to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic, political and social considerations; and explain the predicted outcomes and consequences of their proposal (ACHGS071)
Year 10 Geography
- Human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability (ACHGK070)
- Present findings, arguments and explanations in a range of appropriate communication forms, selected for their effectiveness and to suit audience and purpose; using relevant geographical terminology, and digital technologies as appropriate (ACHGS079)
- Reflect on and evaluate findings of an inquiry to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic, political and social considerations; and explain the predicted outcomes and consequences of their proposal (ACHGS080)
Syllabus outcomes: GE4-8, GE4-2, GE4-3, GE4-4, GE4-5, GE5-8, GE5-2.
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.3, OI.8.
Topic: Waste, Clean Up.
Time required: several 60 min sessions.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – direct activity.
Resources required:
- Art materials
- Devices with internet access.
Keywords: Waste, school, waste hierarchy.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher Preparation
