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Wash in Cold Water

Middle

Description

Wash in Cold Water aims to educate students about the environmental and economic benefits of washing clothes in cold water.  Concepts related to economics, climate change, environmental sustainability, microplastics, oceans and marine life are addressed.

Students will:

  • explore and understand the benefits of cold washing
  • understand the effects that washing with hot and warm water has on our planet, climate systems and living organisms, including humans beings and our clothes
  • identify challenges, potential solutions and actions that could be taken to promote the use of cold water for washing clothes
  • create an infographic, poster, brochure or presentation describing the environmental and economic benefits of cold washing clothes, or
  • survey family and friends to gather data on their washing habits and the potential impact and benefits of switching to cold washing
  • work collaboratively through a project-based learning approach to brainstorm potential solutions and actions to promote cold washing. In addition, students will take steps to implement the plan they have developed.

Finally, students will use the Commit2Act app to record the actions they take to cold wash as well as other actions to contribute to environmental sustainability.

General Assessment

Strengths

  • resource and links are up to date
  • well organized and easy to use
  • provides a list of the materials needed
  • provides an element of action and encourages students to develop their own action plans
  • ideas for additional lessons, activities, and resources can be found at the end of the document
  • suggestions of accommodations for students are provided
  • lesson design is very effective in connecting learning to students' lives
  • lesson plans and accompanying additional resources provide the foundation for engaging in opportunities for action and environmental stewardship
  • resource suggests interdisciplinary and cross-curricular connections
  • the author identifies the SDGs that align with the lesson, gives an example of a link, and a suggestion for integrating the SDG into the lesson

Recommendation of how and where to use it

Wash in Cold Water is best suited for the middle school classroom. With its project-based learning approach the resource could be used in a wide variety of classroom settings, most notably the Science classroom to help address the curricular outcomes related to units on energy conservation, climate change and interactions in ecosystems.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy:
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7 Earth Surface Processes: Learning and Living Sustainably
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interaction of Ecosystems
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Environmental Action
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 8: Climate Change
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions and Ecosystems
  • Ontario
  • Quebec

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Energy (1)

  • Energy Use

Water (1)

  • Marine Environments

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle Rating Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives Good

The focus is on saving energy and reducing plastics. The resource features videos with different points of view. Cold washing consumes less energy than washing with hot water, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation. Washing clothes, especially synthetic fibers, releases microplastics into water bodies. Cold washing can reduce the removal of microfibers.

Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
  • Satisfactory: absence of bias towards any one point of view
  • Good: students consider different points of view regarding issues, problems discussed
  • Very good: based on the consideration of different views, students form opinions and  take an informed position
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions Very Good

Students learn about the environmental and economic benefits of cold washing clothes. They will understand these benefits and those that come with them for their clothes. Concepts related to economics, climate change, environmental sustainability, microplastics, oceans and marine life will be presented.

Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions:

Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.

  • Satisfactory: resource supports the examination of  these dimensions
  • Good:  resource explicitly examines the interplay of these dimensions
  • Very Good:  a systems-thinking approach is encouraged to examine these three dimensions
Respects Complexity Good

The videos, slides, and guidelines for the discussion represent the complexity of the issue well. Students will identify challenges, potential solutions, and actions to promote the use of cold water for washing clothes.

Respects Complexity:

The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected.

Acting on Learning Good

Students will use the Commit2Act app to record the actions they take to cold wash as well as other actions they could take to improve environmental sustainability. Students also work collaboratively through a project-based learning approach to brainstorm potential solutions and actions to promote cold washing. In addition, students will take steps to implement the plan they have developed.

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

  • Satisfactory: action opportunities are included as extensions 
  • Good: action opportunities are core components of the resource
  • Very Good: action opportunities for students are well supported and intended to result in observable, positive change
Values Education Good

Throughout this lesson, students will be able to express their beliefs and values during multiple discussions, while creating their infographic or survey, and by brainstorming solutions and taking action.

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 considered in 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

The lesson plan includes the marine and biological impacts from microplastics that result from hot and warm-water washing. The role of cold washing in reducing the release of microplastics from synthetic fabrics is discussed. Students can investigate how cold washing clothes minimizes the release of fibers and therefore reduces microplastic pollution.

Personal Affinity with Earth:

Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.  

  • Satisfactory: connection is made to the natural world
  • Good: fosters appreciation/concern for the natural world
  • Very Good: fosters stewardship though practical and respectful experiences out-of-doors 
Locally-Focused Learning Very Good

The resource aims to provide students with an understanding of the environmental benefits of cold washing, including reduced energy consumption and decreased microplastic pollution. Students can survey family and friends to gather data on their washing habits and the potential impact and benefits of switching to cold washing.

Locally-Focused Learning:

Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community. 

  • Satisfactory: learning is made relevant to the lives of the learners
  • Good: learning is made relevant and has a local focus
  • Very Good: learning is made relevant, local and takes place ‘outside’ , in the community 
Past, Present & Future Satisfactory

The resource identifies challenges, potential solutions, and actions that could be taken to promote the use of cold for washing clothes. Students will continue to take action to promote cold washing and record their daily actions in the Commit2Act app.

Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle Rating Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction Good

Students learn about the environmental and economic benefits of cold washing clothes. Concepts related to economies, climate change, environmental sustainability, microplastics, oceans and marine life will be presented. Students have several opportunities to share their opinions during the discussions.

Open-Ended Instruction :

Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer.

Integrated Learning Very Good

The resource suggests several interdisciplinary links such as data analysis, writing activities and publications to share their collected information.  Suggested ctivities also include the creation of videos or podcasts, art and graphic design could be included in brochures and presentations to the community.

Integrated Learning:

Learning brings together content and skills  from more than one  subject area

  • Satisfactory: content from a number of different  subject areas is readily identifiable
  • Good:  resource is appropriate for use in more than one subject area
  • Very Good:  the lines between subjects are blurred 
Inquiry Learning Good

The survey or survey activity allows students to collect data about their washing habits and the potential impact and benefits of switching to cold washing. If they have other people fill out a survey, they will analyze and share the results. Students have the opportunity to generate their own questions and solutions.

Inquiry Learning:

Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.   

  • Satisfactory: Students are provided with questions/problems to solve and some direction on how to arrive at solutions.
  • Good: students, assisted by the teacher clarify the question(s) to ask and the process to follow to arrive at solutions.  Sometimes referred to as Guided Inquiry
  • Very Good:  students generate the questions and assume much of the responsibility for how to solve them.  . Sometimes referred to as self-directed learning.

 

Differentiated Instruction Very Good

Students can choose to create an infographic, poster, brochure or presentation, survey family and friends to collect data on their washing habits and the potential impact and benefits of switching to cold washing. Options to consider for reflections include: written, visual, video, and discussions with other students. It is recommended to vary the method of thinking in order to maintain engagement and metacognition.

The resource suggests that discussions and activities should be age-and level appropriate. Older students can delve deeper into the topic and do more detailed research, while younger students can approach in a more basic way. Ideas for additional lessons, activities, and resources can be found at the end of the document.

Differentiated Instruction:

Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.

  • Satisfactory:  includes a variety of instructional approaches
  • Good: addresses  the needs of visual, auditory &  kinesthetic learners
  • Very Good: also includes strategies for learners with difficulties
Experiential Learning Very Good

Taking action is a key part of this lesson. There are many opportunities for students to take action to promote cold water washing and reduce microplastics. Action plans should be relevant and contextual to the students, their community, and their interests.

Experiential Learning:

Authentic learning experiences are provided

  • Satisfactory: learning takes place through ‘hands-on’ experience or simulation
  • Good: learning involves direct experience in a ‘real world context’
  • Very good: learning involves ‘real world experiences’ taking place’ beyond the school walls.
Cooperative Learning Good

Students also work collaboratively through a project-based learning approach to brainstorm potential solutions and actions that will promote cold washing. In addition, students will take steps to implement the plan they have developed.

Cooperative Learning:

Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.

  • Satisfactory:  students work in groups
  • Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught and practiced
  • Very Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught, practiced and assessed
Assessment & Evaluation Good

Teachers can evaluate infographics, poll or survey questions, KWL charts, reflection journals, or actions students take to promote the use of cold water for washing.

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

The students will share their discoveries and creations with the class. They can create a presentation (digital or other format) or another type of asset to do this. Another option is to share them orally with the class during group discussions. They will be able to share the results of their surveys using graphs with the community to encourage adults to use cold water for washing and reduce their energy consumption.

Peer Teaching:

Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.

  • Satisfactory: incidental teaching that arises from cooperative learning, presentations, etc.
  • Good or Very Good: an opportunity is intentionally created to empower students to teach other students/community members. The audience is somehow reliant on the students' teaching (students are not simply ‘presenting')
Case Studies Poor/Not considered
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 Very Good

The resource offers several suggestions for interdisciplinary and cross-curricular connections if students want to explore this topic more deeply. For example: Writing and publishing activities could be included as opportunities to share the information gathered by creating brochures, posters, presentations, documents, letters to key policymakers, etc. These activities could be targeted and published to a specific audience.

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.

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