Lesson Plan

Explore how to curtail deforestation

COP26S-01_03

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Explore how to curtail deforestation
  • Describe how to curtail deforestation
  • Implement any possible change identified in curtailing deforestation

Sustainability and Climate Change (Provisional Framework)

We will empower all young people to be global citizens, through a:

  • better understanding of climate change
  • greater connection to nature

National Curriculum

Subject content – Biology. Pupils should be taught about:

  • Material cycles and energy: photosynthesis
  • The dependence of almost all life on Earth on the ability of photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and algae, to use sunlight in photosynthesis to build organic molecules that are an essential energy store and to maintain levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Working Scientifically

  • Experimental skills and investigations 
  • Ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience

Resources

Resources: Class presentation.

Handout: Activity sheet contains formatting for pupils to create an action plan, including prompts of what they could do.

Rocket words

  • commodities
  • deforestation
  • indigenous
  • deforestation rates
  • The Nature Conservancy

Implementation

Starter

Fact 1: Forests currently cover 30% of the earth's land. 

Fact 2: It is estimated that within 100 years, there will be no rainforests. 

Fact 3: Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation.

Fact 4: One and a half acres of forest are cut down every second. 

Ask the students to write down 3 ideas suggesting what they think they could do to stop deforestation.

Main Teaching

This lesson explores the environmental benefits that forests and rainforests have for the planet and the problems that they are currently facing. It encourages pupils to support the prevention of deforestation through active discussion and questioning, introducing them to some of the organisations already working to prevent deforestation.

Career Film: This is Mike Edmondson. Mike works as a Senior Technical Lead for National Nuclear Laboratory.

Expert Film: What are the threats facing the Amazon? | WWF

Mission Assignment

Ask the students to create an action plan that aims to stop deforestation. Using their plan, ask them to identify areas that can be changed in their lives and at school. 

Use these prompts to understand how their actions might not be helping anti-deforestation efforts:

1. Plant a tree where you can.

2. Go paperless at home and at school.

3. Buy recycled products and then recycle them again.

4. Buy certified wood products. 

5. Support the products of companies that are committed to reducing deforestation. 

6. Raise awareness in your circle and in your community.

Challenge task: Research some of the species that live in the Amazon rainforest. This could be an animal, a plant, an insect or an organism. Ask the students to create an information sheet with their findings. Using the information that they have found out, encourage them to write a short paragraph on the impact that deforestation has or will have on this species.

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

Discuss what you think will be the easiest changes to make to help stop deforestation and what you think will be the hardest.