Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This Changes Everything includes a book by Naomi Klein and film by Avi Lewis. The texts join the dots between climate change, economic systems and the power of community action. In this lesson students synthesise what they have learned from the This Changes Everything unit and develop a plan for taking action around themes presented in the unit. Students will work in groups to select a theme that is important to them, then brainstorm an idea for action. Next, they collaboratively plan their action project and execute this plan. Finally, students are asked to reflect upon the success of their project and their role in creating and executing the project.
Learning goals:
- Students will recognise the tension that exists between economic growth and environmental challenges, especially climate change.
- Students will recognise that this tension also incorporates a range of social justice issues.
- Students will understand that there are many different ways to take action around this issue.
- Students will identify ways to take action around this issue at their school or in their community.
- Students will understand the processes and steps required for planning and executing a social action project.
21st century skills:
Advice for teachers: This unit is designed to help year 9 and 10 students to look critically at the idea of how our economic system’s push for continual growth impacts both the environment and quality of life for all people. Excerpts from the This Changes Everything book and documentary film are used as starting points throughout the lessons to spark discussion, and to put a human face on complex issues through case studies and in-depth analysis. Parts of this unit is suitable for the following learning areas: Geography, Economics and Business, Civics and Citizenship, English and Environmental Science. These lessons can be used to integrate the Cross-curricular priority of Sustainability into your learning area. Each lesson is designed to stand on its own; you can easily pick and choose what learning activities best meet your curricular goals.
Australian Curriculum content descriptions:
This lesson concludes the This Changes Everything unit. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge to create a social action project or awareness raising campaign around an issue they connected with through the unit. As a result this lesson can be integrated into a number of subject areas as the focus is on developing the General Capabilities of the Australian Curriculum and 21st century skills.
General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, ICT Capability.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.1, OI.2, OI.5,OI.7, OI.8.
Topic: Climate Change, Sustainability, This Changes Everything.
Unit of work: This Changes Everything.
Time needed: 60+ mins (this lesson could take between three and six sessions). Time should be determined by teacher prior to commencing the lesson so that students have a clear expectation of the deadline in which to execute their project.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – oversee project planning and project execution.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Project Planning Tool, Project Checklist. Butcher’s paper and marker pens, online stopwatch.
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Key words: Climate change, economic growth, global economy, social action, school, community, This Changes Everything.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation
