Subjects: Geography

Lessons in Grass – learning outdoors

Interested in outdoor education? Want to know how to teach math, languages, arts and crafts and much more outdoors? Lacking inspiration? Do you seek ideas, lessons or worksheets on fractions, human body, universe – outdoors? What will you try first? What will you get? 14 lessons with reflection methods 53 pages 6 worksheets 130 photos 17 useful tips 12 bugs:) The lessons are playful and for various subjects. For example: Why so early: https://lessonsingrass.com/lessons/laboratory/#early Pizza Fractions: https://lessonsingrass.com/lessons/numbers/#pizza Square Meter: https://lessonsingrass.com/lessons/numbers/#metre  LOADS of lessons here too!

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BeMED 17. Investigating the effects of marine litter on sea water temperature and pH level

Title Investigating the effects of marine litter on sea water temperature and pH level Author Ramona Mercieca Age Guide Year 7-8 Subject Area Geography, Integrated science Preparation Time 1 hour Estimated Duration Data collection 10 mins daily spread over 2 months Site School ground Educational objectives To develop fieldwork skills such as collecting and recording data To learn more about the effects of marine litter Learning Outcomes –     I can justify the importance of identifying problems, reflecting critically, thinking creatively and having a wider vision in order to plan for the future and become an effective agent of change. –     I can use the natural, social and built environment that surrounds me, as a context and source of learning. –     I am motivated to make a positive contribution to other people and their social and natural environment, locally and globally. –     I can reflect upon the consequences of my actions on present and future generations. Link to SDGs SDG 3: Good health and well-being SDG 4: Quality education SDG 11:  Sustainable cities and communities SDG 12:  Responsible consumption and production Educational resources required 2 big glass jars Sea water Plastic litter Digital pH reader Digital thermometer Data logger to measure air temperature, humidity and air pressure GLOBE Observer App to record cloud type and cover (optional) Appendix 17.1 – Data sheets Remote preparation Organize a beach clean-up event. Marine litter collected to be taken at school to be used in investigation. Collect sea water samples in a small jerry can. Planning Considerations Very important to focus on the FACTS, especially when researching and collecting data about the effects of marine litter. For beach clean-up event: ·      Healthy and Safety information (stay in groups, stay away from the sea and cliffs, hazard of roads and weather). ·      Brief outline of day and objectives for the day. Set up the day’s investigation aim and consider hypotheses.  Toilet stops and time for the lunch break. ·      Risk assessment/class list/medication/first aid kits Method Introduction In this activity students will investigate the effects of plastic litter on sea water temperature and sea water pH levels. Two large glass jars are filled with the same amount of sea water. In one of the jars the students put some plastic litter collected during the beach clean-up event done beforehand. The glass jars are to be placed outside exposed to the sun and rain. Development Every day students will take three readings of the sea  water temperature and pH level from  both jars and calculate the mean of the three samples. Moreover, the students will measure the air temperature, humidity and air pressure, describe the general outlook of the weather and observe cloud cover using the GLOBE Observer App (optional). Information collected is filled in the data sheets (Appendix 17.1). Conclusion  Once all data is collected students will present it in a graph and analyze it through mean values of repetitions (pH and temperature) by jar to both treatments (with plastics, without plastics).  The mean values are to be plotted along the …

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BeMED 16. Outdoor Classroom Activity – Beach Fieldwork

Title Outdoor Classroom Activity – Beach Fieldwork Author Ramona Mercieca Age Guide Year 7 Subject Area Geography Preparation Time 1 hour Estimated Duration 4 hours Site Coastal Area Educational objectives To further students’ map reading skills. To develop fieldwork skills such as collecting and recording data. To learn more about their local area and describe how litter make them feel. Learning Outcomes – I can use the basic mapping skills which include a scale, a legend and compass points to plan journeys, latitudes and longitudes to locate places. – I can use appropriate sources to observe and record local weather. – I can justify the importance of identifying problems, reflecting critically, thinking creatively and having a wider vision in order to plan for the future and become an effective agent of change. – I can use the natural, social and built environment that surrounds me, as a context and source of learning. – I am motivated to make a positive contribution to other people and their social and natural environment, locally and globally. – I can reflect upon the consequences of my actions on present and future generations. Link to SDGs SDG 3: Good health and well-being SDG 4: Quality education for all SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production Educational resources required A4 map of beach site x1 (per group) Appendix 16.1 – Group Recording Sheets X5 (per group) Appendix 16.2 – Litter Survey Sheet x1 (per group) Pencils Clipboards Digital cameras Data logger Thermometer Digital pH reader GLOBE Observer App – optional Small container X1 (per group) Remote preparation Teacher needs to prepare the resources as indicated in the previous section. The outdoor classroom activity will be an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills learned during geography lessons like using a map, observing and recording the weather, locating beach site using the coordinates. Before the outdoor classroom activity the students will do research about marine litter – its sources and effects on the marine environment. Planning Considerations It is very important to focus on the FACTS, especially when researching and collecting data re marine litter. Healthy and Safety information (stay in groups, stay away from the sea and cliffs, hazard of roads and weather). Brief outline of the day and objectives for the day. Set up the day’s investigation aim and consider hypotheses. Toilet stops and time for the lunch break. Risk assessment/class list/medication/first aid kits. Method Activity Outline: Half the day is spent at the beach collecting field data on weather, sea water temperature, sea water pH level and doing a litter survey. Introduction Introduce site and locate it on the map of the Maltese Islands. Briefly introduce the history of the area (fishing and tourism and coastal erosion). The students will be split in groups and each group will select a leader and is given a pack with the group’s recording sheets and a small container. Development Students explore and investigate the beach site by answering the questions on the …

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BeMED 12. Persuasive Writing Task

Title Persuasive Writing Task Author Ms. Samantha Abela Age Guide Year 5-11 Subject Area English, Maltese, Geography, Social Studies, ICT, Environmental Studies Preparation Time Nil Estimated Duration 2 hours Site Classroom or computer lab Educational objectives Students understand and are empowered to address the real causes and consequences of unsustainable behaviour within the context of an interdependent and globalised world. Learning Outcomes – I can order ideas and describe them effectively to contribute to discussions supported by the teacher. – I can write for a stated purpose, using grammar and sentence starters. – I can gather information from long and complex articles and books. Link to SDGs SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 14:  Life below water Educational resources required Interactive Whiteboard Appendix 12.1 – Spider diagram Appendix 12.2 – Writing frame Appendix 12.3 – Capturing your audience Appendix 12.4 – Persuasive writing vocabulary Appendix 12.5 – Writing prompts discussions Appendix 12.6 – Websites to help students with research Internet Connection Remote preparation The ‘Fact-Finding’ Task can be done before the lesson and allot more time to writing and class discussion. The links provided can be sent to the students beforehand. Planning Considerations The lesson can be done in class or in a Computer Lab. In case of a Lab, booking of the facility would be required. The Fact-Finding task can be done as an introduction or as a pre-task before the lesson. Students require some technological device and an internet connection during the lesson for the Fact-Finding task. Students should be warned about the huge amount of information available online. Teachers can opt to: Limit the websites they search by giving them a prescribed list or by limiting the search by geographical zone example: things related to Malta only. Method Introduction 5 minutes – The teacher introduces the topic of ‘Persuasive Writing’. The teacher asks what is the meaning of the word ‘Persuasive’ and can create a spider diagram (Appendix 12.1) on the board jotting down the students’ ideas before giving the following definition: “making you want to do or believe a particular thing” – Definition by Cambridge Dictionary “able, fitted or intended to persuade” “inducement” – Definition by Dictionary.com Development 10 minutes -The teacher moves on to introduce the students to the main activity. The students will act as opinion writers for a local newspaper. They are concerned with the presence of plastic litter in our seas. The task is to: Write a letter addressed to the editor in which they have to: ·       Outline their concern by explaining what it is about. ·       Provide evidence on the concern by quoting events, sources, statistics, etc. ·       Provide arguments about the concern, namely why this is an important issue to be tackled. ·       Provide ideas about possible solutions to the concern. ·       Conclude the letter in a positive manner, hoping that you are acknowledged. The teacher can provide a Writing Frame (Appendix 12.2) to guide the students in their task. 20 minutes – Now that the students know …

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