Sustainability Unit

This is a unit plan I designed for a grade five class on sustainability, to be taught over the course of one week. This plan integrates the level 5
English, Mathematics, Science and ICT areas described on the AusVELS website. The aim of this unit is to give students a basic idea about
sustainability and what is needed in order to have a sustainable world.
Planning document
Time
9:009:45

Monday
Lesson 1
Defining Sustainability
Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=B5NiTN0chj0
Standards Addressed:
(ACELY1698)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce children to
sustainability through
video. Briefly discuss
week ahead. Collaborate
a list of things together
they think should last

Tuesday
Lesson 1
Renewable
Energy - An
Introduction
Resources:
http://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=pB
TnVoEIb98
Standards
Addressed:
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
(ACELT1611)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce students
to

Wednesday
Lesson 1
Recycling - An
Introduction

Thursday
Lesson 1
Begin Website
Creation

Resources:
http://earth911.com/rec
ycling/

Standards Addressed:
(ACELT1611)
(ACELY1702)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)

http://science.howstuff
works.com/environmen
tal/greenscience/recycling2.htm
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=or9JgT6Lh
KI
Standards Addressed:
(ACELY1703)

Friday
Continue with
website creation.

Objectives:
*Apply known ICT
tools for visualizing
thinking and links
between new and
existing knowledge
*Begin to use new
tools, such as ICTcontrolled models,

beyond their lifetime, or

be changed for future
generations, develop their
own definitions of
stability and share.
Key Questions:
o What is
sustainability?
o What benefits
does a sustainable
world create?
Assessment:
o Take note of
students
comments
o Gain knowledge
of the students
prior knowledge

renewable/nonrene
wable energies
using video. In
pairs, students will
generate a list of
examples and come
up with pros and
cons for each.
Objective:
To demonstrate an
awareness of nonrenewable and
renewable
resources.
Key Question:
o What is
renewable
energy?
Why is it
renewable?
o What are
some
examples?
o What are
some nonrenewable
resources?
o What are

(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce students to
recycling. Briefly
summarize some of the
things they will learn.
Let them identify some
of the things in class
that can be recycled.
After watching the clip,
let them list down why
it is important to
recycle things.
Objective:
Demonstrate
knowledge of the
benefits of recycling.
Key Questions:
o What are some
of the things in
the classroom
that can be
recycled?
o What are some
of the things
that cannot be

programming language
or simulation software
to represent and explore
processes, patterns, and
cause and effect
relationships
*Learn to use tools,
such as database
software and graphic
organizers to organize
and analyze data and
information.
Lesson Summary:
Children will spend the
day in pairs, making
their websites about
sustainability, selecting
a topic from the last
three days they found
interesting and using
the information they
learned to create a
websites to show the
other students, teachers
and family.

some pros
and cons?
o Vocabulary
definitions
Assessment:
o Assessment
of prior and
current
knowledge
o Vocabulary
review
o White
board

9:45- Lesson 2
10:30 Water Conservation:
Where does Water come
from?
Resources:
http://www.environment.
nsw.gov.au/resources/stor
mwater/HSIEteachguide/s
5activity11.pdf

Lesson 2
Solar Energy:
How can we
Maximize Suns
Energy?
Resources:
http://www.lakeoza
rksolar.com/2013/0
2/07/helpful-hints-

recycled?
o How does
recycling
conserve the
environment?
Assessment:
o Assessment of
prior and current
knowledge
regarding
recycling
o Understanding
of some of the
things that can
be recycled and
the others that
cannot be
recycled.
Lesson 2
Continue above
How Recycling can be lesson.
used to Generate
Energy

Continue with
website creation.

Resources:
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=QaYQiwJ9
D6o

Standards Addressed:
(ACSHE217)
Lesson Summary:
Complete the activity
listed in the link above to
teach children about
water availability.
Key Questions:
o Why is it
important to
conserve water?

for-maximizingthe-potential-ofsolar-energy-inmissouri/
Standards
Addressed:
(ACELT1611)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce students
to solar panels as
the main way of
capturing solar
energy. Using a
video, take them
through the process
of converting solar
energy into electric
energy.
In pairs, list some
of the benefits of
solar energy to the
environment. List
how your families
can use solar
energy if solar

http://www.alternativeenergynews.info/technology/g
arbage-energy/
Standards Addressed:
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
Lesson Summary:
Watch the video on
how Sweden recycles
wastes and converts this
energy into electricity.
After watching this
video and reading the
article, in groups of
four, draw using
colored pens the steps
taken to produce
electricity from
recycling. Identify any
similarity that this form
of energy production
has with other kinds of
energy production. Play
the game of Recycling
Plant on

panels were
supplied.
Objective:
To demonstrate
understanding of
how solar energy is
converted into
electric energy

iPads/computers
Objective:
To demonstrate an
understanding of how
recycling can be used as
a method of producing
electricity.

Key Questions:
Key Questions:
o After reading
o Is solar
the article, is
power a
recycling a good
source of
thing or a bad
renewable
thing?
energy?
o Is there a way
o What is the
that recycling
importance
could harm the
of using
environment?
solar
o Is this form of
energy?
energy
o How does
sustainable?
solar energy
conserve
Assessment:
the
o Observe group
environmen
discussions
t?
o Observe
o What are
drawings and
some of the
determine
ways that
whether the

solar energy
can be
used?
o What are
solar farms?
Are they
practical?

concept of
energy
production from
recycling is
possible

Assessment:
o Observe
group
discussions
o Evaluate
whether the
discussion
reflects
lessons
learnt in
class
o Determine
whether
there are
some
students
that have
identified
new ways
of using
solar energy

10:30 Break
11:00
11:00 Lesson 3
How we use water
11:45
Resources:
http://www.savewater.co
m.au/mission-h2o-game

Standards Addressed:
(ACMSP118)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
Lesson Summary:
Recap examples of water
use. Will have completed
their weekend homework
to collect their familys
water usage. Discuss:
Differences between
families. Why different
families use water
differently. Input data into
iPads/computers to create

Break

Break

Break

Lesson 3
Can wind be used
to generate
electricity?

Lesson 3
Energy Recycling /
Waste Heat Recovery

Continue above
lesson.

Resources:
http://www.cpsener
gy.com/Services/G
enerate_Deliver_E
nergy/Wind_Energ
y/wind_generation.
asp
Standards
Addressed:
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
(ACMSP118)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce students
to wind energy.
Tell them what
windmills are and
take them through

Resources:
http://www.recycledenergy.com/main/factsabout-energy-recycling
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=v0V3E64ht0
Standards Addressed:
(ACSHE217)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACMSP118)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce children to
energy recycling.
Watch the clip and read
the article and discuss
how energy can be
recycled in other

Begin
presentation of
Websites.

Standards:
(ACELT1609)
(ACELY1699)
(ACELY1796)
(ACELY1700)
Lesson Summary:
As a class, create a
rubric for each
student to assess
each others
website/presentatio
n.
After this, for the
rest of the day,
students will
present their

spreadsheets & graphs.

Save to use on their
website.
Write summary on
amounts used per day for
different activities.
When students finish they
can play mission H2O
game in partners.
Key Questions:
o How much water
do you use?
o Why do families
use different
amounts of water?
Assessment:
o Observe children
in groups
o Observe if
summary is an
accurate reflection
of data
o Students should
have been able to
give examples of
how they use
water
o Created accurate

the stages of
converting wind
energy into
electricity. In
groups of three,
have students list
some of the
components they
would need to
design a wind mill
for their families.
After this students
can play wind farm
managers on the
iPads/computers.
Objective:
To demonstrate an
understanding of
how wind energy is
converted into
electricity
Key Questions:
o Is wind
energy a
source of
renewable
energy?
o How do

methods of energy
production in order to
produce more energy
Objective:
To demonstrate an
understanding of energy
recycling and some of
the methods of energy
production where it is
applicable
Key Questions:
o Why is this
form of
recycling
important to our
country?
o Does it harm the
environment?
Assessment:
o Observe group
discussion

websites to the
class.
Assessment:
*Peer assessment
* Are summaries of
weeks topics
accurate?
* Have the students
understood the
topic they have
chosen by
providing relevant
information and
examples?
*Sufficient
research?
* Website layout is
usable, easy to
locate information.
*Contains
graphics/videos
that relate.
*Spelling and
punctuation is

graph/inputted
correct data from
inventory
o Identify areas of
house that
use/waste water

11:45 Lesson 4

wind mills
conserve
the
environmen
t?
o Do you
know what
wind farms
are?
o Can wind
farms be
used in our
country?
Assessment:
o Determine
whether the
components
listed by the
students
reflect good
understandi
ng of the
process of
converting
wind
energy into
electricity
Lesson 4
Lesson 4

accurate.

Continue above

Website

Continue from above

12:30 lesson

Biomass - Organic Challenges associated

or Plant materials with Recycling
Resources:
http://www.ucsusa.
org/clean_energy/o
ur-energychoices/renewableenergy/howbiomass-energyworks.html
Standards
Addressed:
(ACSHE217)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACMSP118)
Lesson Summary:
Introduce students
to biomass energy.
According to the
article above, list
some of the risks
associated with
biomass energy.
Understand the
biomass energy
cycle.

lesson.

presentations

Resources:
http://www.afn.org/~af
n21661/Problems.htm
Standards Addressed:
(ACSHE217)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACMSP118)
(ACELY1700)
Lesson Summary:
In groups of 5, do a
group discussion of
some of the challenges
associated with
recycling of materials.
Identify way through
which these challenges
can be effectively
managed. Play the
game Recycling Master
on iPads/computers
Objective:
To demonstrate the

10

Students will make

drawings of the
biomass energy
cycle using colored
pens to highlight
main stages.
Objective:
Demonstrate an
understanding of
how biomass is
converted into
electricity and
some of the risks
associated with this
kind of energy

ability of addressing
some of the challenges
that come with
recycling
Key Questions:
o How is
recycling going
to be a
challenge for
our country?
o What would you
do to ensure that
recycling will
not face these
problems?

Key Questions:
Assessment:
o Compared
o Observe group
to other
work and
sources of
discussion.
renewable
o Determine
energy
whether
learnt in
students are
class, where
demonstrating
do you rank
an
biomass
understanding
energy?
of majority of
o Does
the challenges
biomass

11

energy
conserve
the
environmen
t or harm it?
o If you had
to replace
biomass
energy,
which other
form of
energy
would you
prefer?

12:30 Break

Assessment:
o Biomass
energy
cycle
o Determine
whether
their
discussions
bring out all
the risks of
this form of
renewable
energy
Break
Break

Break

Break

12

-1:30
1:302:15

Lesson 5
Being Water Wise
Resources:
http://www.discoverwater
.org/use-water-wisely/
Standards Addressed:
(ACELY1702)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)

Lesson Summary:
Discuss:
o Environmental
consequences of
using more water
than needed.
o Ways in which
usage can be
reduced
Groups record ways that
water could be saved and
how their plan can save
water.
Research the following

Lesson 5
Geothermal
Energy

Lesson 5
Continue above
Benefits of Sustainable lesson.
Recycling

Resources:
http://www.ucsusa.
org/clean_energy/o
ur-energychoices/renewableenergy/howgeothermal-energyworks.html

Resources:
http://www.gov.je/Envi
ronment/WasteReduce
ReuseRecycle/WhyRec
ycle/Pages/Benefits.asp
x

Standards
Addressed:
(ACELY1700)

Website
presentations

http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=vgjD1G8H
8Nw

(ACSHE217)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACMSP118)

Standards Addressed:
(ACSHE217)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACMSP118)
(ACELY1700)

Lesson Summary:
Discuss the process
of generating
electricity from
geothermal energy.
Discuss ways that
this form of energy

Lesson Summary:
In groups of 5, do a
group discussion of
some of the benefits
associated with
recycling of materials.
Identify way through

13

questions and record their

answers for websites:
o What are the
positive effects of
being water wise?
o Why is it
important to save
water?
o What are some of
the implications of
saving water?
o How and where
can we save
water?
o What would
happen if we did
not save water and
become water
wise?
Partners play water
detective game on
iPads/computers.
Key Questions:
o Why is it
important to save
water?
o What ways can
you save water?

conserves the
environment.
Students to play the
game PowerPlant
manager on
iPads/computers.
Objective:
To demonstrate an
understanding of
the steps involved
in converting
geothermal energy
into electricity and
some of the ways
this form of energy
is sustainable.
Key Questions:
o How does
geothermal
energy
conserve
the
environmen
t?
o Is
geothermal
energy a
sustainable

which these benefits

can be effectively
enhanced. Watch the
clips and study the
article.
Objective:
To demonstrate the
ability of coming up
with creative ways of
sustaining the benefits
of recycling
Key Questions:
o If you were the
manager of a
recycling plant,
how would you
ensure that the
plant remains
functional?
o How would you
ensure that the
society
continues to
enjoy the
benefits of
recycling?
o What are some
of the things

14

2:153:00

Assessment:
o Saving water lists.
o Observe group
work and
discussion.

form of
energy?
Assessment:
o Observe
discussion.

Lesson 6
Summing up the Days
Activities

Assessment:
o Creative ways
of sustaining the
benefits of
recycling
o Observe group
work and
discussion
Lesson 6
Lesson 6
Fossil Fuel Energy Summing Up the
Days Activities
Resources:
http://www.energy Standards Addressed:
quest.ca.gov/story/ (ACSHE217)
chapter08.html
(ACELT1610)
(ACELY1702)
http://www.energy (ACELY1703)
quest.ca.gov/story/ (ACELT1609)
chapter08.html
(ACMSP118)

Standards Addressed:
(ACELT1610)
(ACELY1701)
(ACELY1702)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACSHE217)
(ACMSP118)
Key Questions:

Standards
Addressed:

that you would

do to ensure that
the society
understands the
usefulness of
recycling?

Continue above
lesson.

Website
presentations

Key Questions:
o Why is it

15

o Why is it
important to save
water?
o What are the best
methods to save
water?
Lesson Summary:
Each group writes article
or persuasive text
discussing his or her ideas
about the importance of
conserving water and
techniques for reducing
water use at home.
Support their ideas using
information learned from
the multimedia resources.
May also conduct
additional research
online.

(ACSHE217)
(ACELY1703)
(ACELT1609)
(ACMSP118)
(ACELT1610)
Lesson Summary:
Discuss and list
some of the sources
of fossil fuel
energy in our
country. Outline
the impacts of this
source of energy to
the environment
(Wengenmayr &
Buhrke, 2011). In
groups of five,
discuss how the
effects of fossil
fuels energy harm
our health. Watch a
short clip of the use
and impacts of
fossil fuel energy.
Objective:
Demonstrate an
understanding of
the effects of fossil

important to
recycle waste
materials?
o How can energy
be recycled?
o How can we
obtain
electricity from
recycling?
Lesson Summary:
Each group writes
article or persuasive
text discussing his or
her ideas about the
importance of recycling
and some of the things
that can be recycled at
home (Wengenmayr &
Buhrke, 2011). This
article should also
mention how electricity
can be obtained from
recycling and some of
the challenges of
obtaining this form of
energy. Support their
ideas using information
learned from the
multimedia resources.

16

fuels to the
environment

May also conduct

additional research
online.

Key Questions:
o Is fossil fuel
energy
sustainable?
o How does
this kind of
energy
affect our
health,
plants,
climate and
other?
animals in
the
environmen
t?
Assessment:
o Observe
discussion
o Determine
whether
students
understand
how this
form of
energy

17

affects their
health

References

State Government of Victoria (2013), Victorian Essential Learning Standards. Retrieved 22nd May 201, < http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/>.
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (2013), AusVELS. Retrieved 22nd May 2013, < http://ausvels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/>.

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