Introduction
Teachers, this activity engages students in ethical reasoning and critical understanding by analyzing a real-world environmental issue. It prompts students to examine the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in a pollution scenario.
Through discussion and activities, students learn to evaluate complex moral dilemmas, understand the consequences of decisions, and apply their learning to real-world contexts. This exercise fosters critical thinking, ethical analysis, and informed decision-making, essential skills for today’s global citizens.
Learner Notes
Hello everyone! Today, we’re diving into a gripping scenario about a small town and a polluted lake, unveiling the complex interplay of environmental ethics and influence. As we explore this narrative, I encourage you to jot down key points, focusing on the roles and actions of various characters.
Following our exploration, we’ll engage in a lively discussion. Share your perspectives on who you think is most responsible for the lake’s fate: the Company, Scientists, Puppetmaster, Media, Politicians, or Voters. This conversation is an opportunity to understand diverse viewpoints and the complexities of environmental responsibility.
To deepen our understanding, we’ll engage in hands-on activities, reflecting on the consequences of actions taken by different stakeholders.
Prepare to think critically and be inspired as we untangle this environmental dilemma. Let’s start this journey of discovery and debate!
Attention to Detail Challenge
This activity involves students re-watching a video to enhance their observation skills. They pair up, list numbers 1-15, and discuss before answering questions within a 10-second time limit.
It’s designed to encourage teamwork, quick thinking, and attention to detail, while also fostering a learning environment where practice leads to improvement.
Learner Notes
Having watched the video again, it’s time to gauge your powers of observation.
Pair up with someone, and once you’ve got a piece of paper and a pencil, list the numbers 1-15 to start.
Keep in mind, you can discuss with your partner prior to settling on your response, but you’ll only have 20 seconds to decide. Watch the clock in the upper right corner to track your remaining time.
Best of luck, and don’t stress over any mistakes – remember, improvement comes with practice.
Make up your Mind - Rubric and Discussion
In this activity, students focus on developing critical thinking and discussion skills. Students analyze an environmental scenario involving various stakeholders, using a detailed rubric to guide their evaluation.
They must consider each stakeholder’s role and responsibility in a lake pollution crisis, encouraging them to understand and articulate different perspectives. This exercise fosters deep discussion, promotes ethical reasoning, and enhances students’ ability to critically assess complex real-world issues from multiple viewpoints.
Learner Notes
In this activity, students focus on developing critical thinking and discussion skills. Students analyze an environmental scenario involving various stakeholders, using a detailed rubric to guide their evaluation.
They must consider each stakeholder’s role and responsibility in a lake pollution crisis, encouraging them to understand and articulate different perspectives. This exercise fosters deep discussion, promotes ethical reasoning, and enhances students’ ability to critically assess complex real-world issues from multiple viewpoints.
Weekly Keywords
 Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary. Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference. Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil or pen. Place the words in alphabetical order in a list. Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Learner Notes
These words will help you during this week’s lesson. You may already know some of these words, however vocabulary practice is always useful!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Weekly Comprehension Activity - How Pollution Affects the World
This activity involves students reading about pollution, then answering comprehension questions of varying difficulty. It encourages critical thinking and understanding of environmental issues.
Students collaborate, utilizing class resources and extending research at home if needed. The focus is on enhancing comprehension skills and deepening their knowledge of pollution’s impact.
Learner Notes
Let’s dive into the topic of pollution and its effects on Earth! Check out the info we’ve got and think back to the conundrum we just watched to help you answer the comprehension questions.
You can team up with your friends in class and use any books or resources we have to figure out the answers. If you’re still curious about something or can’t find the answer in class, why not explore more about it at home?
These questions are a mix of easy and tricky ones, so see how many you can get right. Remember to write your answers in full sentences, and jot down any cool diagrams or facts you find – they might come in handy later!
Let’s get started!
Guided Writing - Writing with Clear Objectives
This activity, “Guided Writing – Writing with Clear Objectives,” engages students in research-based community action through letter writing. Students choose an environmental issue, research it, and write a persuasive letter to a relevant organization.
The task emphasizes understanding the issue, proposing solutions, and articulating the impact of proposed changes. It fosters skills in critical thinking, research, persuasive writing, and civic engagement, encouraging students to be proactive voices in their communities for environmental conservation.
Learner Notes
Hello, young environmentalists! This week, you’re on a special mission, just like the investigative journey of environmental change. This week you’ll be writing a real letter to an organization, asking them to help protect our beautiful planet. Let your passion and creativity guide you!
Your Task: Be a Voice for Change
- Choose Your Cause: Think about what environmental issue is close to your heart. Is it reducing plastic waste, saving the bees, or perhaps conserving water? Pick an organization that can make a real difference in this area.
- Research and Reflect: Just like the blue fox found its unique color, find out what makes your chosen issue special. Understand why it’s important and how the organization can help.
- Write with Heart and Clarity: Remember the letter I wrote to the local supermarket about plastic bags? Use that as a guide. Your letter should clearly explain:
The Problem: What environmental issue are you concerned about?
- Your Ideas: Offer thoughtful solutions or alternatives, just like I suggested alternatives to plastic bags.
- The Impact: Why is this change important? How will it help our planet?
- Be Polite and Persuasive: Imagine you’re talking to a friend who can help. Be respectful, but also explain why your ideas are valuable and necessary.
Check Your Work: Before you send your letter, read it out loud. Does it sound clear? Have you checked for spelling and grammar? A well-written letter makes a stronger impact!
Send It Off: Once you’re happy with your letter, it’s time to send it to the organization. You’re now a part of a global effort to protect our environment!
Follow the guidelines opposite and remember, Your Voice Matters!
Bringing Mathematics to Life!
For each conundrum, we will provide related mathematics questions.
The levels of questions allow for your students to push themselves until they become too difficult. They may wish to use classroom resources to solve the questions they find too hard or they can be used as extension activities to be completed in free time or at home.
Learner Notes
This week’s problem set centers around the characters from the Lake Conundrum. Learn a bit more about the characters and their adventure by solving some Math problems in the task card.
If they get too hard you can either ask a friend, use the tip provided in the middle column to help you, or take your work home and work on solving the problems at home with your family!
Real World Learning - Creating a Class Newspaper - The Good News
This week’s activity involves students designing a positive news newspaper, promoting truth and good news. It encourages collaboration, allowing students to work individually or in groups, fostering teamwork and a sense of community.
The newspaper project aims to give students a platform to express themselves and reach a wider audience, emphasizing writing with purpose. Additionally, it includes a practical aspect of selling advertising space to support charity, blending creativity with real-world application and reinforcing the power of positive storytelling in shaping perceptions.
Learner Notes
This week we are going to ask you to design your very own newspaper. One that only tells the truth and spreads good news.
You can write the newspaper yourself and even get together with a group and write it collectively. The newspaper will allow the children in your school to have a voice in the community and help get your stories and goals out to a bigger audience.
The news is usually a place where we hear all the bad things that are happening in the world, but with your new ability to write and create your very own newspaper we will shower the entire world with positive stories of hope, community and love!Â
If you look on the template below, you will see we have even left a space for you to sell advertising space to a local business so you can raise money for charity if you wish?
So, let’s write a newspaper and change the world!
Real World Learning - Organising a Bake Sale
This week’s Real World Learning is to have students organize a cleanup in their neighborhoods. Be sure to emphasize safety in picking up trash and have students use gloves to pick up trash. Once they’ve completed, add the total amount of litter cleaned up in the form listed in the learner notes below.
You can also see how much our global community has cleaned up using the Global Results Link below.Â
Learner Notes
We all live on Planet Earth together and we can all make a positive impact on our environment.
Let’s see the power each of us has by doing our part. In this activity, you will get together with your community to clean up your neighborhood. You will begin by planning a clean up event and then get out in your neighborhood to clean up some of the trash that us humans have put out in the world. Be sure to dispose of the litter you pick up appropriately!
Once you’ve collected some trash from your area, add your results using the form below:
My Digital Resume
This task involves students reflecting on their recent learning experiences and skills gained. They are encouraged to update their digital resumes, incorporating multimedia elements for a comprehensive self-assessment.
This activity promotes introspection and self-evaluation, helping students recognize and articulate their progress and achievements. It’s a practical exercise in documenting personal growth and impact, fostering a deeper understanding of their developmental journey and its significance in their lives.
Learner Notes
Welcome to another week of our Conundrum journey! As we wrap up this new week, take a moment to revisit your accomplishments from the previous weeks. Reflect on the experiences and skills you gained during that time.
Now, let’s celebrate your achievements. It’s time to add these new experiences and skills to your digital resume. Don’t forget to include all of the required information and keep each week original and fresh.
Feel free to include photos and videos if you wish, and most importantly, identify and note down the new skills you’ve learned.
Keep up the fantastic work, and let’s continue this exciting journey together!”
