Lesson Plan

Explore how we can spend our money to help climate change

COP26-03_01

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Understand what we can do to mobilise our finances at home and at school
  • Describe what we can do to mobilise our finances at home and at school
  • Implement the changes we need to take to mobilise our finances at home and at school

Sustainability and Climate Change (Provisional Framework):

  • Practical opportunities to participate in activities to increase climate resilience, reduce carbon impact and enhance biodiversity will enable children and young people to translate knowledge into positive action to improve their local communities, their country and the planet

Working Scientifically

  • Reporting and presenting findings from enquiries - including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results - in oral and written forms, such as displays and other presentations

Resources

Resource: Class presentation, pens and pencils.

Handout: The handout includes an action plan template and incorporates the learning from the class presentation.

Rocket words

  • private finance
  • climate investment
  • International Climate Finance Commitment
  • action plan
  • public finance

Implementation

Starter

Explain to the children that supporting causes financially isn’t always easy, but there are different ways this can be done without spending too much. What do you currently do as a school and as an individual to financially support climate change?

Main Teaching

Ask the children: How can your school reduce CO2 emissions whilst also making financially-conscious decisions? 

Explain that there are lots of ways they can take action. Talking to your local authority or politician is a good place to start as they may be able to offer help and support. The children could also have a brainstorming session with their classmates to see what ideas they come up with. Encourage the children to involve each other as much as they can.

  • Encourage pupils and staff to walk or cycle to school. Traffic is a major cause of CO2 emissions and air pollution, so create a green travel plan and encourage the whole school to do their bit.
  • Switch to a renewable energy supplier that uses wind or solar power instead of coal and gas.
  • Use less energy. If possible, get the children involved in monitoring your school’s energy usage and encourage them to come up with ideas to use less.

Climate Action Film: World Wildlife Funds film: All About Gift Aid

Career Film: This is Jonathan Dodds. Jonathan works as a Technical Manager for National Nuclear Laboratory.

Expert Film: This is Jonathan Dodds. Jonathan works as a Technical Manager for National Nuclear Laboratory. Jonathan talks about how nuclear will help us reach net zero.

Mission Assignment

What can you do as a school or individually to support COP26? Draw up an action plan which sets out your implementation plan for COP26.

Challenge task: Write a letter to a politician or climate activist and promote your school or community in order to help finance better eco-friendly systems. This could be more frequent buses, clean air zones or to plant more trees.

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

Ask the children to discuss how they can start making these changes in their day-to-day lives.