Teaching Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Lesson Plan for Sustainable Living

Today I have a full lesson plan and handout  on Sustainable Living for Earth Day, an annual event observed on April 22nd to raise awareness and support for environmental protection. 

Earth Day was first observed in 1970 and has since grown into a global movement with events and activities held in many countries. The purpose of Earth Day is to educate and mobilise individuals and communities to take action to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

In our Home Education we often look at what particular dates in the year are being celebrated either nationally or internationally to include occasional breaks in our curriculum but still be actively involved in learning.  

Lesson Plan

The role of individual actions in protecting the environment for Sustainable Living

Objectives:

Understand the impact of individual actions on the environment

Learn about simple ways to reduce their impact and protect the environment

Materials:

Whiteboard and markers or paper and pens

Handout with information on ways to reduce impact on the environment

Procedure:

Introduction (10 minutes): Start the lesson by asking your child to brainstorm a list of ways that humans impact the environment. Ask them what they understand by the term sustainable living. Write their responses on the whiteboard.

Discussion (15 minutes): Discuss the impact of each action and how they contribute to environmental problems such as pollution and climate change. Ask your child to consider ways they can reduce their impact on the environment.

Individual Activity (20 minutes): Provide your child with a handout that lists simple ways to reduce their impact on the environment (e.g. reduce, reuse, recycle, conserve energy and water). Ask the student to pick a few of the actions and come up with a plan to implement them in their daily life.

Review (15 minutes): Review your child’s plan and provide feedback. Offer suggestions and ideas to help them improve their plan.

Conclusion (10 minutes): Summarise the importance of individual actions in protecting the environment using sustainable living and how this can make a difference. Emphasise the role of your child in reducing their impact and protecting the environment for future generations.

Assessment: Observe your child during the individual activity and review to assess their understanding of the role of individual actions in protecting the environment and their ability to come up with a plan to reduce their impact. Provide constructive feedback and help them refine their plan as needed

This plan can easily be adapted for a group of children.

For the handout things to include would be:

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Impact on the Environment

Introduction:

Every day, our actions have an impact on the environment. By making a few simple changes, we can reduce our impact and help protect the planet for future generations. Here are some ways you can make a difference:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

Reduce the amount of waste you generate
Reuse items whenever possible
Recycle materials that can’t be reused

Conserving Energy:

Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
Use energy-efficient appliances
Choose renewable energy sources
Conserving Water:
Fix leaks
Take shorter showers
Use drought-resistant plants in landscaping

Reducing Plastic Use:

Limit the use of disposable plastic products, such as straws, water bottles, and shopping bags

Eating a Plant-Based Diet:

Choose plant-based foods over animal-based products

Transportation

Walking, Biking, or Using Public Transportation:
Reduce the use of personal vehicles

Supporting Environmental Organisations:

Donate time, money, or resources to organisations that work to protect the environment

Educating Others:

Share information and raise awareness about environmental issues

Conclusion:

Every small action we take can make a big difference in protecting the environment. By choosing to live sustainably, we can reduce our impact and help protect the planet for future generations.

If you would like a FREE copy of this lesson plan and a handout that accompanies it simply fill in the form below: