Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, consolidate their learning from the Global Problem Solvers unit to become Local Problem Solvers. Students work collaboratively to identify a problem in their local community, develop an idea for solving this problem and make a plan for implementing this solution. They can then test their solutions and then put their ideas into action (optional). Following completion, students will evaluate the success of their solution, and celebrate and reflect on the success of their project and their participation in the project.
These lessons have been developed in partnership with Cisco. Cisco believes that our future will be defined by global problem solvers – global citizens ready to thrive in a connected and digital future by thinking like entrepreneurs, innovating like technologists, and acting as agents of social change.
Learning intention:
- Students will understand that they can take action to address problems in their community.
- Students will understand and be able to drive the processes required for planning and executing an action-based project.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 5 HASS
- Work in groups to generate responses to issues and challenges (ACHASSI102)
- Use criteria to make decisions and judgements and consider advantages and disadvantages of preferring one decision over others (ACHASSI103)
- Reflect on learning to propose personal and/or collective action in response to an issue or challenge, and predict the probable effects (ACHASSI104)
Year 6 HASS
- Work in groups to generate responses to issues and challenges (ACHASSI130)
- Use criteria to make decisions and judgements and consider advantages and disadvantages of preferring one decision over others (ACHASSI131)
- Reflect on learning to propose personal and/or collective action in response to an issue or challenge, and predict the probable effects (ACHASSI132)
Syllabus outcomes: GE3-4.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking.
Relevant parts of Year 5 HASS achievement standards: Students work with others to generate alternative responses to an issue or challenge and reflect on their learning to independently propose action, describing the possible effects of their proposed action.
Relevant parts of Year 6 HASS achievement standards: Students collaboratively generate alternative responses to an issue, use criteria to make decisions and identify the advantages and disadvantages of preferring one decision over others. They reflect on their learning to propose action in response to an issue or challenge and describe the probable effects of their proposal.
Topic: Enterprise Learning.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Cisco Global Problem Solvers – HASS – Years 5 & 6.
Time required: 240+ minutes.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee group activities, facilitate pitch process, oversee group discussions.
Resources required:
- Butcher’s paper and pens/pencils
- Device capable of presenting a clip to the class
- Group Roles
- Pitch Assessment Rubric
- Project Checklist – ready to project or enough copies for small group work
- Project Planning Tool – ready to project or enough copies for small group work
- S.M.A.R.T. Goals – ready to project or enough copies for small group work
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: Cisco, Global Problem Solvers, social action, community, problem finding, problem solving.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
