Lesson Plan

Explore how to curtail deforestation

COP26-01_03

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Describe what deforestation means
  • Understand the steps to be taken by the individual and why deforestation is a problem
  • Implement a solution and support investment in renewables

Sustainability and Climate Change (Provisional Framework)

Building on a foundation of fundamental numeracy, literacy and broad academic knowledge, all children learn about:

  • nature
  • the causes and impacts of climate change
  • the importance of sustainability

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

Resources: Class presentation, pens and pencils. 

Handout: The core handout includes some ideas which show what we can do to stop deforestation. What could work for you in your school? What actions will you need to take to implement them? Create an action plan by filling out the table.

Challenge Handout: Using the information pupils have gathered in their mission assignment, they are to choose one of their actions and create a leaflet or poster to promote it. 

Rocket words

  • material
  • rainforest
  • habitat
  • deforestation
  • indigenous

Implementation

Starter

Introduce the following facts to the class. 

Fact 1: It is estimated that within 100 years, there will be no rainforests. 

Fact 2: Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation. 

Fact 3: One and a half acres of forest are cut down every second. 

Assign each fact to a small group of children. Ask them to write down 3 things you can do to stop deforestation. Ask them to elect a spokesperson to speak for their group and compare solutions as a whole class.

Main Teaching

The body of the lesson focuses on introducing to the children the reasons why deforestation happens and the impact that it has on the local wildlife as well as humans. It also introduces the children to existing campaigns to protect the rainforest, the people that live there and the wildlife it contains.

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

Here are some ideas which show what we can do to stop deforestation. Ask the children the following questions: What could work for you in your school? What actions will you need to take to implement them? Create an action plan.

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 community.

Challenge task: Using the information they have gathered in their mission assignment, ask the children to choose one of their actions and create a leaflet or poster to promote it. Ask them to create an environmentally friendly brand to sponsor their campaign.

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

Ask the children to discuss their action plans. Which areas are most achievable for themselves individually and which areas are most achievable for the class?