Save the Planet coincided with our Green Schools initiative. In literacy, pupils focused on writing persuasive essays to various audiences. They wrote letters to other schools, politicians and environmentalists. Pupils read articles on environmental initiatives and studied The Lorax as a cautionary tale.
In science, pupils collaborated in groups to create their own eco-systems. Students were responsible for all aspects of their projects. They researched, wrote, designed and presented their work. They became their own eco-warrriors, becoming experts on a cause they were passionate about (animal extinction, pollution, whaling, shark finning etc.) Pupils practiced their debating skills with mock committees; learning how to construct an argument and defend their point of view. Pupils also learned about adaptation, food chains and webs, creating their own webs to fit the environments they had chosen.
In numeracy students learned about data management and probability. They collected and organized data using line graphs and other graphical representations. Students communicated their thinking orally, visually and in writing.
To finish off the unit pupils used their motor skills and creativity to design and create recycled mother's day purses made out of recycled clothing.
Under the Sea
In this unit children learned about fiction and non-fiction. Reading the Little Mermaid (but their are many other sea themed stories to choose from) as well as various non-fiction books about animals that live in the oceans. Pupils were introduced to non-fiction websites such as National Geographic for Kids where they were able to research an ocean animal of their choice. Children created their own under the water scenes, learning to mix paints to create various shades of blue. In science students studied materials, they learned about pollution and began to develop their sense of social responsibility. Children made water bottle fish and were introduced to their own classroom pet fish.
