Activity Introduction

Quick summary: This lesson is designed to encourage empathy in students by getting them to consider the impact of climate change on food production. Through discussion, role play and the use of strategies including Edward De Bono’s ‘Thinking Hats’ and group role play, students will think about food production issues from various perspectives.

earth-hour-160x160

This lesson has been created in partnership with WWF-Australia. Earth Hour is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action. Thousands of teachers use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

For the most up to date Earth Hour dates, times, and events, check here.

Learning goals:

  • Students grasp the significance of climate change impacts upon food production in Australia
  • Students conceptualise the global climate change issue affecting life in their home country
  • Students work in groups to empathise with different people in the community

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Personal and social capability, Ethical understanding.

Cross curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.1, OI.2, OI.5.

Australian Curriculum 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)

 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)

Year 9 Geography

  • The challenges to food production, including land and water degradation, shortage of fresh water, competing land uses, and climate change, for Australia and other areas of the world (ACHGK063)
  • The capacity of the world’s environments to sustainably feed the projected future population to achieve food security for Australia and the world (ACHGK064)
  • 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)

Year 10 Geography

  • The 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)

Syllabus Outcomes: GE5-2, GE5-3, GE5-5, GE4-8, GE5-7, GE5-8.

Time needed: 60 minutes

Resources required: Internet, Student Worksheet, Earth Hour – climate change and food factsheet.

Key words: Climate change, Earth Hour, impacts, future.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

You will need: Teachers should copy 6 student worksheets.

Teacher content information: Earth Hour is a WWF-Australia initiative, and is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action. Thousands of teachers use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

Download the Earth Hour starter kit for your school: Earth Hour for Schools

Earth Hour Australia's Egg-cellent Launch Video (https://youtu.be/IBs2dnDj8Og)

Teaching sequence

10 minutes – Introductory discussion
15 minutes – Group role play / discussion
15 minutes – Class role play / discussion
10 minutes – Second group role play / discussion 
5 minutes – Second class discussion (time permitting)
5 minutes – Student reflection

1. Talk to students about the relationship between Earth Hour and food production. First, re

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Student Worksheet

Thought starter: Carrots are Australia’s most popular vegetable! Carrots don’t like hot weather so eventually we may only be able to grow them in Tasmania.

From Pasture to Plate: Food Production Empathy Task

Based on the perspective of ONE of the following profiles (assigned by your teacher), your group needs to answer the questions below. One or more scribes need to write down your group’s ideas. A class discussion will follow.   

Thinking-hats 

PROFILES: Read all of the profiles, then highlight the identity your group has been allocated. Think from the perspective of this person when answering the questions below. Answer questions (iii) to (v) using the particular Thinking Hat listed. All profiles can be either male or female.

Answer the following questions in your group:

(i) What are this person’s main goals or needs in terms of food? e.g. farmer relies upon food production for income

 (ii) What are some key problems this person might encounter? e.g. restaurateur thinks fresh f

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