Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students develop a social action project to address a problem they have noticed at their school. Students begin by looking at the problems that are in their school, why these have occurred and what actions they could take to address the problem. They then select one action and develop and implement a social action project around this action.
This can be completed as a stand alone lesson, however, if you have completed any of the previous Roots and Shoots lessons, students will have the opportunity to synthesise what they have already learned when planning their social action.
This lesson has been developed in partnership with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program. Roots & Shoots is a global youth-led program of young people taking action to improve our world. By participating in this lesson, you and your students will be joining thousands of young people and teachers working to make positive change in our world.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand some of the processes required for planning and executing a social action project.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Foundation HASS
- Reflect on learning to propose how to care for places and sites that are important or significant (ACHASSI009)
Year 1 HASS
- Reflect on learning to propose how to care for places and sites that are important or significant (ACHASSI026)
Year 2 HASS
- Reflect on learning to propose how to care for places and sites that are important or significant (ACHASSI042)
Note: Depending on the project undertaken, this lesson will also promote science outcomes E.g. creating habitat for local species would align with:
- Foundation Science – Living things have basic needs, including food and water (ACSSU002)
- Year 2 Science – Living things live in different places where their needs are met (ACSSU211)
NESA and VCAA: Click here for NESA and VCAA curriculum links for this lesson.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability.
Relevant parts of Foundation HASS achievement standards: Students reflect on their learning to suggest ways they can care for a familiar place.
Relevant parts of Year 1 HASS achievement standards: Students reflect on their learning to suggest ways they can care for places.
Relevant parts of Year 2 HASS achievement standards: Students reflect on their learning to suggest ways to care for places and sites of significance.
Topic: Social Issues.
Unit of work: Roots & Shoots – Lower Primary.
Time required: 110+ mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – lead students through designing and delivering social action project.
Resources required: Device capable of presenting a website to the class. Device capable of taking photos, such as an iPad or camera. Project Planning Guide. Project Checklist. Examples Of Action Factsheet (optional). Other materials will depend on individual project needs.
Keywords: Social action, project design, project delivery, school, community, Jane Goodall, Roots & Shoots.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
