The resource aims to bring awareness of plastic use and how our actions have a direct impact on the environment. The toolkit consists of seven lessons that teach students about plastic pollution and steps they can take to help resolve the problem, such as using reusable water bottles.
Lesson 1: The students will reflect on how the oceans help us, how we harm them and what makes a healthy ocean. They will draw their version of a healthy ocean.
Lesson 2: After watching the video "How does plastic end up in the ocean?" and completing the reflection questions, the students will go outside to collect plastic litter and then place it in a chart. They will discuss reducing, reusing,and recycling litter.
Lesson 3: The students will create an ecosystem with pictures given to them and then introduce plastics into the ecosystem and reflect on its effects.
Lesson 4: The students will learn about food chains and how plastics introduced into the food chain in the ocean can be harmful. They will also watch a video about reusable lunch containers to encourage understanding.
Lesson 5: After watching the video "Weather vs Climate" the students will complete a diagram of the water cycle in their workbooks. Then an experiment to determine if plastic will heat up the water below will be completed.
Lesson 6: After watching the video "Microplastics in the Ocean" the students will complete a journal entry with their thoughts and feelings. The students will then discuss how to reduce, reuse and recycle common items found at a beach while observing a picture.
Lesson 7: Students will answer questions summarizing what they have learned and use this knowledge to create a poster.
At the end of each lesson there is a pledge for the students that directly links to an observable action and the lesson completed. They partake in this pledge to help make a difference.
Click the website link to access other resources to accompany the lesson plan.
This resource does not explicitly teach any specific skills as it is geared toward the delivery of knowledge and awareness.
This resource would be a wonderful resource to use on its own or in addition to other materials for a unit to mark World Oceans Day in early June.
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
Principle | Rating | Explanation |
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Consideration of Alternative Perspectives | Good | |
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
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Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions | Good | |
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions: Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.
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Respects Complexity | Good | As this resource is directed at younger elementary students, the issue is presented in a manner that is easily understandable for the audience. |
Respects Complexity: The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected. | ||
Acting on Learning | Very Good | Within each lesson, the students take a pledge for a simple action to make a change in their lives toward the use of plastics. |
Acting on Learning: Learning moves from understanding issues to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community, or for the planet
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Values Education | Good | This resource has the primary focus on educating the students about plastics and developing the idea of alternatives. This will allow the students to identify their values and be able to express them at their level. |
Values Education: Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values. | ||
Empathy & Respect for Humans | Poor/Not considered | This is not a focus of this resource. |
Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.). | ||
Personal Affinity with Earth | Good | |
Personal Affinity with Earth: Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.
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Locally-Focused Learning | Good | There is a focus on local recycling and how to make a difference in their own community. |
Locally-Focused Learning: Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community.
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Past, Present & Future | Very Good | This resource, with the videos that accompany it, allows the students to see how and why plastic was developed. It also shows that it is necessary in our lives but it gives us alternatives and ideas for the future. |
Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future. |
Principle | Rating | Explanation |
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Open-Ended Instruction | Very Good | |
Open-Ended Instruction
: Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer. | ||
Integrated Learning | Good | |
Integrated Learning: Learning brings together content and skills from more than one subject area
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Inquiry Learning | Satisfactory | |
Inquiry Learning: Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.
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Differentiated Instruction | Good | There are no strategies for learners with difficulties included in the resource. |
Differentiated Instruction: Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.
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Experiential Learning | Satisfactory | |
Experiential Learning: Authentic learning experiences are provided
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Cooperative Learning | Satisfactory | |
Cooperative Learning: Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.
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Assessment & Evaluation | Satisfactory | There are rubrics provided: one for the teacher in the lesson plan kit and another for the students to self-assess in their workbook. Specific assessments are not included for the activities. |
Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc. | ||
Peer Teaching | Satisfactory | |
Peer Teaching: Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.
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Case Studies | Poor/Not considered | This is not a focus of this resource. |
Case Studies: Relevant case studies are included. Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore concepts in an authentic context. | ||
Locus of Control | Poor/Not considered | This is not a focus of this resource. |
Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue. |