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Our Planet's Pulse: 6 & 7

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Lesson Plan

Our Planet's Pulse Lesson Plan

Students will understand key global phenomena related to environmental health and recognize the importance of their role in collective action, fostering a sense of responsibility for the planet.

Understanding global environmental challenges is crucial for students to become informed and active citizens. This lesson connects these complex issues to their lives and empowers them to think creatively about solutions.

Audience

5th-8th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, creative activity, and reflective sharing.

Materials

Our Planet's Pulse Slide Deck, and Global Action Chains Activity

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Think, Pair, Share (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Our Planet's Pulse Slide Deck.
  • Ask students: "When you hear 'global phenomenon' what comes to mind? What are some big things happening on Earth that affect everyone?"
  • Have students briefly think individually, then share with a partner, and finally, share out to the class.

Step 2

Introduction to Global Phenomena (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Use the Our Planet's Pulse Slide Deck to introduce two key global phenomena: climate change (the '6th extinction' concept - though simplified for this age group) and the idea of '7th generation thinking' (considering future generations).
  • Explain these concepts in an age-appropriate way, focusing on interconnectedness and impact.
  • Facilitate a brief Q&A session.

Step 3

Activity: Global Action Chains (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Global Action Chains Activity.
  • Divide students into small groups or pairs.
  • Instruct them to brainstorm and draw a 'chain' of actions, starting from a small individual choice and extending to a global positive impact related to the discussed phenomena.
  • Emphasize creativity and connecting their ideas.

Step 4

Share and Reflect (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Have a few groups share their 'Global Action Chains'.
  • Conclude with a brief discussion: "How can our small actions contribute to bigger changes? Why is it important to think about the future?"
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Slide Deck

Our Planet's Pulse: What's Happening?

What comes to mind when you hear 'global phenomenon'?

What are some big things happening on Earth that affect everyone?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of 'global phenomena.' Encourage a wide range of answers, guiding them towards environmental and social issues.

Global Phenomenon #1: The 6th Wave

What does it mean?

  • Our planet has experienced 5 major extinction events in the past.
  • Scientists suggest we are now in the 6th, largely caused by humans.
  • This means animals and plants are disappearing faster than ever before.

Why does it matter?

  • Every species plays a role in our ecosystem.
  • Losing them affects the balance of nature.
  • It impacts our food, water, and even the air we breathe.

Introduce the idea of the '6th Extinction' as a way to discuss the current rapid loss of biodiversity due to human activity. Keep it age-appropriate and focus on the impact and why it matters, rather than overly scientific details. Connect it to things students might recognize like endangered animals or changes in local ecosystems.

Global Phenomenon #2: The 7th Generation

What does it mean?

  • An idea from Native American philosophy (specifically the Great Law of the Iroquois).
  • It asks us to consider the impact of our decisions today on the next seven generations.
  • That's about 140 years into the future!

Why does it matter?

  • Our choices today shape the world for our children, grandchildren, and beyond.
  • It encourages us to be responsible stewards of the Earth.
  • It helps us make decisions that are sustainable and fair for the future.

Introduce '7th Generation Thinking' as an indigenous concept. Emphasize thinking about the long-term impact of our choices. This provides a positive and actionable counterpoint to the '6th Extinction' concept.

Your Actions, Our Future

How can we connect what we do today with the impact on the 7th generation?

Even small actions can create a BIG change!

Transition to the activity. Explain that thinking about these phenomena can lead to action. Emphasize that even small actions can have big ripple effects.

Activity: Global Action Chains

Your Mission:

  1. Work in your groups or pairs.
  2. Brainstorm a small, individual action you can take.
  3. Think about how that action can create a chain of positive impacts.
  4. Draw your 'Global Action Chain' and be ready to share!

Example Start: I use a reusable water bottle...

Explain the instructions for the 'Global Action Chains' activity. Provide clear examples if needed, e.g., 'I switch off lights -> less energy used -> less fossil fuel burned -> cleaner air for future generations.'

Share Your Chains & Reflect

Let's see your amazing Global Action Chains!

How can our small actions contribute to bigger changes?

Why is it important to think about the future?

Facilitate sharing. Encourage students to explain their chains and the connections they made. End with a reflective question to reinforce the lesson's main points.

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Activity

Global Action Chains Activity

Your Mission: Work with your group/partner to create a "Global Action Chain." This chain will show how a small individual action can lead to a much larger, positive global impact, connecting to the ideas of the "6th Wave" (protecting our planet) and "7th Generation Thinking" (planning for the future).

Instructions:

  1. Start with an Individual Action: Think of one small, positive thing you can do or change in your daily life. This is the first link in your chain.

    • Examples: Using a reusable water bottle, turning off lights, walking instead of driving, recycling correctly, sharing positive environmental news.


  2. Build the Chain: Brainstorm how that small action creates a ripple effect. What happens next? And after that? How does it eventually lead to a bigger, global impact?

    • Think about: energy, waste, pollution, community, education, natural resources, future generations.

  3. Draw Your Chain: On your paper, visually represent your chain. You can use drawings, words, arrows, or a combination! Make it creative and clear.

    • Each link in your chain should connect to the next.

  4. Connect to 6th Wave/7th Generation: In your chain, try to show how your actions either help prevent further loss of species/natural balance (6th Wave) or how they benefit people seven generations into the future (7th Generation Thinking).

  5. Be Ready to Share: Your group will share your Global Action Chain with the class!

Example Start:

"I use a reusable water bottle..."













Your Group's Global Action Chain:
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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Our Planet's Pulse: 6 & 7 • Lenny Learning