Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Nature Conservation

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is crucial to establish the learning goals that will guide the lesson activities. By clearly defining what is expected for students to learn, this section sets the stage for students to apply the knowledge acquired previously in a practical and effective manner. Additionally, it helps maintain focus during discussions and activities, ensuring that efforts align with the desired outcomes.

Main Objectives:

1. Develop students' understanding of the reasons that justify the preservation of nature, with a special focus on the conservation of forests and native vegetation.

2. Empower students to identify and propose practical and theoretical solutions for environmental conservation, promoting active awareness of the topic.

Side Objectives:

1. Stimulate students' critical thinking and ability to argue when discussing environmental topics.

Introduction

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The Introduction serves to engage students and consolidate their prior knowledge about the conservation of nature, using problem situations to stimulate reflection and the application of concepts. Additionally, the contextualization seeks to connect the topic with the students' reality, showing the importance of the subject in their lives and in the world. This stage prepares the ground for the practical activities and discussions that will follow, ensuring that students are motivated and understand the importance of what they are learning.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that a large area of forest near your city is being rapidly deforested. What would be the consequences for the local climate and for the diversity of animal and plant species?

2. Think of a way to convince the residents of a city to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as recycling more or reducing plastic usage. What arguments would you use?

Contextualization

The conservation of nature is not just an academic theme; it directly influences the quality of life of all inhabitants of the planet. From climate regulation to the provision of essential resources such as food and water, ecosystem services play a crucial role. Furthermore, understanding how different cultures around the world interact with their environments can offer valuable insights into how sustainability can be integrated into our own society.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to interactively and practically apply the knowledge they have acquired about nature conservation. By engaging in group activities, students not only solidify their theoretical understanding, but also develop social skills and critical thinking. By choosing one of the proposed activities, the classroom transforms into a laboratory of creativity and learning, where students can experiment, discuss, and learn in a safe and collaborative environment.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Guardians of the Forest

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop teamwork skills, critical thinking, and application of knowledge about nature conservation in practical scenarios.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people, and each group will represent a fictional community living in harmony with a forest. They will face challenges that will test their knowledge about nature conservation, such as deforestation, wildfires, and the invasion of exotic species. Each group must discuss and decide on actions their community would take to mitigate or resolve these problems, using the knowledge acquired at home.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Present the situation to each group: they are guardians of a forest and need to decide how to protect it from different threats.

• Provide resources (paper, pens, recyclable materials) for the groups to create a visual action plan.

• Students must prepare a brief presentation to explain their action plan and how it aligns with the principles of nature conservation.

• Each group will present their plan to the class, which will vote on the most creative and effective.

Activity 2 - The Sustainability Game

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote playful learning about nature conservation and sustainability, encouraging conscious decision-making.

- Description: Students will participate in a custom board game where each space on the board represents a challenge or an action that impacts nature conservation. They will use cards with questions and challenges related to the topic to advance in the game. The goal is to reach the end of the board with the least environmental impact possible by making decisions that promote sustainability.

- Instructions:

• Prepare the game board on a large scale on the classroom floor using poster boards and markers.

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people and distribute the initial cards.

• Each time a group advances on the board, they must face a challenge or answer a question about nature conservation.

• Correct answers allow the group to advance faster; incorrect ones, or those that do not follow sustainable principles, may cause them to move back spaces.

• The group that reaches the end of the board with the least environmental impact, according to the decisions made, wins.

Activity 3 - Green Planet: An Ecological Adventure

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage research, creativity, and student expression about sustainable practices around the world, increasing their understanding and global empathy.

- Description: In this activity, students will create a short video (5 minutes) or a play that simulates a trip around the world, highlighting different conservation and sustainability practices found in various countries. They will research these practices beforehand and include aspects such as recycling, renewable energies, and reducing plastic usage.

- Instructions:

• Explain the proposal for the activity, dividing students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group chooses a continent to 'visit' and researches common sustainable practices in that region.

• Students must plan and rehearse their presentation, whether a video or a play.

• Provide materials for video production (camera, tripod, computer) or for the play (simple scenery, costumes, and props).

• Present the videos or plays in front of the class and promote a discussion about the practices presented.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to articulate the acquired knowledge and reflect on the experiences of the lesson. The group discussion helps reinforce the concepts learned, promotes the exchange of ideas and perspectives among students, and encourages the practical application of what has been discussed, preparing them to be agents of change in their own communities.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion by inviting each team to share the main ideas of their action plan or the insights gained during the activities. It may be helpful to use a structured approach, where each group has time to present and another to discuss with the rest of the class. Encourage students to explain how the proposed solutions or decisions made in their activities can be applied in the real world and what the possible impacts of these actions may be.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced while developing your action plan or during the game? How did you overcome them?

2. Was there any new concept about nature conservation that you learned today? How can it be useful in your daily life?

3. How can the solutions proposed today be applied in your community or school?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to ensure that students have a clear and consolidated understanding of the themes addressed, linking practical activities to the theory studied and emphasizing the applicability of knowledge in everyday life. Additionally, it serves to reinforce the importance of student engagement in nature conservation and to motivate them to be active in promoting sustainable practices in their lives.

Summary

To conclude, the teacher should recap the main points discussed about nature conservation, reinforcing the importance of forests and native vegetation for maintaining environmental balance. The proposed solutions from students during practical activities should be summarized, highlighting how each contributes to environmental preservation.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, students practically applied the theoretical concepts studied at home through playful and interactive activities that simulated real environmental conservation challenges. This practical approach allowed students to visualize and experience the theories in a context that engaged and motivated them, facilitating the connection between theory and practice.

Closing

The importance of nature conservation extends beyond environmental issues; it directly influences people's quality of life and well-being. By understanding and applying sustainable practices, students become agents of change in their communities, capable of promoting environmental preservation and collective awareness.