Who Owns Earth?

Aurora Militello

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Who Owns Earth?

Students will be able to articulate their initial understanding of environmental responsibility and the essential question: 'What is our moral responsibility to the planet?' They will also be introduced to the unit's culminating project.

Understanding our moral responsibility to the planet is crucial for developing informed, ethical citizens who can contribute to sustainable solutions. This lesson sparks initial thought and prepares students for deeper inquiry.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion-based introduction to the unit's core themes and culminating project.

Materials

Warm-Up: Environmental Snapshot, - Slide Deck: Who Owns Earth? Introduction, - Discussion Guide: Our Planet, Our Duty, - Whiteboard or projector, and - Markers or pens

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Review the Who Owns Earth? Lesson Plan, Warm-Up: Environmental Snapshot, Slide Deck: Who Owns Earth? Introduction, and Discussion Guide: Our Planet, Our Duty to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for display.
Gather any necessary writing materials for students if they are using physical copies for the warm-up.
Consider how you will facilitate group discussions effectively in your classroom setup.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Environmental Snapshot

10 minutes

Begin with the Warm-Up: Environmental Snapshot.
Distribute the warm-up activity or display it on the screen.
Instruct students to independently respond to the prompt: "When you hear the phrase 'The Environment,' what comes to mind? What are some ways humans interact with the environment?" (5 minutes)
Facilitate a brief class share-out, allowing students to share a few of their initial thoughts. (5 minutes)

Step 2

Introduction to the Unit

10 minutes

Transition to the Slide Deck: Who Owns Earth? Introduction (Slide 1-3).
Introduce the unit title: "The Environment and Responsibility — Who Owns the Earth?" and the Essential Question: "What is our moral responsibility to the planet?"
Explain that this unit will explore these questions through various texts and media.
Briefly introduce the core texts and media, such as The Lorax, Greta Thunberg’s speech, and articles on fast fashion and human rights, highlighting their relevance to the essential question.

Step 3

Culminating Project Overview

10 minutes

Present the culminating project using the Slide Deck: Who Owns Earth? Introduction (Slide 4).
Explain that students will create a research-based multimedia campaign (infographic + PSA video or speech) that presents both sides of an environmental issue and proposes a solution.
Briefly discuss the key skills integrated into the unit: evaluating arguments (RI.8), conducting research (W.8), creating multimedia (SL.5), and editing for accuracy (L.2).

Step 4

Initial Discussion: Our Planet, Our Duty

10 minutes

Lead a brief class discussion using the Discussion Guide: Our Planet, Our Duty (or guiding questions from Slide 5).
Ask students: "What does 'moral responsibility' mean to you in the context of the environment?" and "Why is it important to consider who 'owns' the Earth?"
Encourage students to share initial thoughts and listen respectfully to diverse perspectives.

Step 5

Cool Down: One Word Wonder

5 minutes

Distribute the Cool Down: One Word Wonder or display the prompt.
Ask students to write down one word that describes their initial feeling or thought about environmental responsibility after today's lesson.
Collect responses or have students share one word aloud as they exit.

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Slide Deck

The Environment and Responsibility

Who Owns the Earth?

Essential Question: What is our moral responsibility to the planet?

Welcome students and introduce the overarching unit title. Explain that today is an introduction to what they'll be exploring.

Our Journey Ahead: Core Texts & Media

Books & Speeches:

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Greta Thunberg’s “UN Climate Action Summit Speech”

Articles & Films:

“The True Cost of Fast Fashion”
“Climate Change and Human Rights”
The Story of Stuff (short film)

(Optional: Local articles about pollution, water shortages, or community clean-up initiatives in Southern Oregon)

Briefly introduce the core texts and media that will be used in the unit. Highlight that these will help us answer the essential question.

Your Mission: Multimedia Campaign

Culminating Project:

Create a research-based multimedia campaign that:

Presents both sides of an environmental issue.
Proposes a solution.

Choose one of the following:

Infographic + PSA Video
Infographic + Speech

Skills We'll Build:

Comparing arguments (RI.8)
Research & Citing (W.8)
Multimedia Creation (SL.5)
Editing & Proofreading (L.2)

Introduce the culminating project. Emphasize that it will involve research, presenting both sides of an issue, and proposing a solution. Briefly touch on the key skills they will be developing.

Let's Talk: Our Planet, Our Duty

What does 'moral responsibility' mean to you in the context of the environment?

Why is it important to consider who 'owns' the Earth?

Lead the initial discussion. Encourage open, respectful dialogue. Prompt students to think about the meaning of moral responsibility in an environmental context.

Warm Up

Environmental Snapshot

Instructions: When you hear the phrase 'The Environment,' what immediately comes to mind? What are some ways humans interact with the environment, both positively and negatively?

Think about what you see around you, what you hear in the news, or what you've learned in other classes. Write down your thoughts below.

Discussion

Our Planet, Our Duty: Discussion Guide

Guiding Questions:

What does the phrase "moral responsibility" mean to you in a general sense?
How might this idea of "moral responsibility" apply to our relationship with the environment and the Earth?
The unit title asks, "Who Owns the Earth?" What are your initial thoughts on this question? Can anyone truly "own" the Earth? Why or why not?
Consider the idea of human impact on the environment. Can you think of examples where human actions have had a significant positive or negative effect?

Discussion Norms:

Listen respectfully to others' opinions, even if they differ from your own.
Speak clearly and thoughtfully.
Support your ideas with reasons.
Allow everyone a chance to speak.

Cool Down

One Word Wonder

Instructions: After today's introduction to our unit on "The Environment and Responsibility," write down one word that describes your initial feeling, thought, or a key takeaway about environmental responsibility.