| Unit Three: Action |
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Activity Tasks |
| Students will:
- define action.
- learn about people who have inspired Dr. Jane with the
actions they have taken to improve the world.
- complete their own Roots & Shoots project.
- read a short story that reflects on the importance of
action.
- complete journal entries by discussing whether they agree
that one person can make a difference.
- discover how their projects are helping to create a more
sustainable world.
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Dr. Jane’s Lesson |
Dr. Jane believes in the power of individuals.
She hopes each person realizes that he or she, as just one person,
can do much to help the world. Dr. Jane has been inspired by
many people taking individual and collective action to help
the environment, animals, and humans. Students can open Dr.
Jane’s scrapbook to read about these people and their
projects and to gain inspiration and ideas of how they can help.
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Duration |
- 20 minutes, not including student projects which will
vary in time.
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Materials |
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Connecting to the Content |
Knowledge and compassion of the
world enable people to make sound choices in their actions.
People work best when, based on their interests, they can
choose what actions they want to take. Choice increases their
energy and the likelihood that their actions will be complete
and effective. Students are given this opportunity by first
having a foundation of knowledge and compassion and then choosing
the project in which they want to participate. They are encouraged
to do the project in steps from planning to reporting results,
giving them hands-on project management experience.
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Procedure |
- Have students access Merriam-Webster’s
Online Dictionary and find the definition of action.
Point out the different definitions listed. Considering
the purpose of the Action section, which definition do they
think best applies to the word action?
- Have the class view Dr.
Jane’s scrapbook to learn how other Roots &
Shoots groups are working to make their community a better
place for all of its inhabitants.
- Direct students to complete a Roots & Shoots project
following the steps below.
- Read the short story, “Star
Thrower” and reflect on the importance of action.
- Have students complete their journal
entries by writing about whether they agree with the
statement, “One person can make a difference.”
Has their perspective changed as a result of their projects
or readings?
- Direct class to access The
Earth Charter to find out how their projects are helping
to create a more sustainable world. Make a list of the Earth
Charter principles that are linked to your project.
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Assessment |
| Have students:
- demonstrate meaning of the word action.
- share why they chose the projects they did.
- demonstrate project planning.
- prepare a project report.
- share other actions they can take.
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Extensions |
- Students may be interested in finding a local Roots &
Shoots group in which they can participate, or they may
want to help one of the groups listed in Dr. Jane’s
scrapbook.
- In the Knowledge section, students had the extension option
to conduct evaluations of their own school by conducting
School Environmental Surveys. Students could create
a Roots & Shoots project based on the results of their
school surveys.
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Terms |
- There are no vocabulary terms for this section.
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