Quick summary: In this activity, students learn about the concept of environmental footprints. They will learn how to measure their impact and take steps to reduce their personal footprint. Students make comparisons between the lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples prior to colonisation and the current mainstream, considering the impact of consumerism on environmental footprints. This lesson can be used for students to compare their footprint before, during and after Enviroweek.
Following this lesson plan is an ideal way for your school to take part in Enviroweek. You’ll be joining thousands of amazing teachers in making a difference and creating positive environmental change.
Australian Curriculum content description:
Cross curriculum priorities
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Sustainability
- OI.3 – Sustainable patterns of living rely on the interdependence of healthy social, economic and ecological systems.
- OI.6 – The sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems is achieved through informed individual and community action that values local and global equity and fairness across generations into the future.
- OI.9 – Sustainable futures result from actions designed to preserve and/or restore the quality and uniqueness of environments.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
- OI.2 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities maintain a special connection to and responsibility for Country/Place throughout all of Australia.
- OI.5 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ ways of life are uniquely expressed through ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing.
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General capabilities
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Numeracy, Critical and creative thinking
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Explicit content description
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Science Year 1
- People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE022)
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Science Year 2
- People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE035)
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Geography Year 2
- The ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples maintain special connections to particular Country/Place (ACHASSK049)
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Science Year 3
- Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE051)
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Science Year 4
- Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE062)
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Geography Year 4
- The custodial responsibility Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have for Country/Place, and how this influences views about sustainability (ACHASSK089)
- The use and management of natural resources and waste, and the different views on how to do this sustainably (ACHASSK090)
- Reflect on learning to propose actions in response to an issue or challenge and consider possible effects of proposed actions (ACHASSI081)
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Geography Year 5
- The influence of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places (ACHASSK112)
- The environmental and human influences on the location and characteristics of a place and the management of spaces within them (ACHASSK113)
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Science Year 5
- Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE081)
- Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)
- Use equipment and materials safely, identifying potential risks (ACSIS086)
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Science Year 6
- Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE098)
- Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE100)
- Use equipment and materials safely, identifying potential risks (ACSIS103)
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Syllabus outcomes: GE1-1, GE2-2, GE2-3, GE3-2, GE3-3, GE2-4, ST1-11LW, ST1-9ES, ST2-11LW, ST3-4WS, ST3-6PW.
Resources required: Magazines and newspapers, Student Worksheet.
Digital technology opportunities: Get your students to complete a digital footprint: Food Print Network.
Keywords: Food, resources, energy, waste, water, footprint, environment, Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.