Lesson 10: Sustainable Forestry

 Lesson Plan

Tuning In

• Revise the problems associated with forestry practices in the 21st century e.g. deforestation, loss of biodiversity, excessive greenhouse gas emissions. Explain to the students that, in order to reduce the problem, action must be taken to encourage more sustainable forestry practices around the globe. Action can take place at:
  • a global level (international organisations, such as the World Rainforest Movement)
  • a national level (governments)
  • an individual level (people).

Teacher Instruction

• Explain to the students that the clearing of the world’s forests on a massive scale in recent years has prompted international organisations and governments across the world to take action against unsustainable forestry practices. Countries around the world are encouraged to apply the Principles of Forest Management (developed at the 1992 Earth Summit), which state that forests should be managed in a way that meets the needs of both present and future generations.
• Watch the Continuous Cycle of Sustainable Forestry video on YouTube. After watching, ask the students:
  • Why is important to carefully plan a timber harvest?
  • How do sustainable forestry practices ensure that no part of the timber is wasted?
  • How many trees are replanted for every tree that is cut down?

Guided/Independent Learning

• Watch the Save Paper to Save Trees video on YouTube. After watching, ask the students:
  • What fraction of trees cut down is used to make paper?
  • What idea is presented in this video to help save paper?
  • Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
• Provide the students with a copy of the Action Plan Graphic Organiser. Next to the ‘Goal’ space at the top of the page, ask the students to write the following: To reduce the amount of paper we use each day in the classroom.
• Explain to the students that one small idea, like the ‘Minus 1’ concept presented in the video, can create positive change when implemented by society. Encourage the students to think of one idea that could be implemented in the classroom to reduce paper use. Students must identify and record the following content on their action plans:
  • Action – What needs to be done?
  • Responsibility – Which people or groups must act?
  • Challenges – What problems may need to be overcome?
  • Success Criteria – How will you know that the goal has been achieved?

Wrapping Up

• Once the students have finished, ask them to share their action plans with the class. Encourage the class to select a suitable action plan to implement in the classroom.

 Differentiation

Extending Students

• Encourage more capable students to write a paragraph to predict the possible outcome, should their action plan be implemented.

Supporting Students

• Allow less confident students to verbalise their ideas for their action plan before commencing the task.

 Assessment Strategies

Suggested Assessment Strategies

• used strategic whole class or individual questioning
• observed student participation during learning activities
• recorded student progress on a checklist
• annotated student work samples
• collected and reviewed student work samples
• facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
• encouraged student self-reflection
• administered formal assessment tasks.

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