Geography · 6th Class

Active learning ideas

Living Sustainably and Taking Action

Let's become changemakers for our planet! In this topic, we'll investigate how we can live more sustainably and take real action to protect our environment, right here in our own school.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• SESE Geography: Strand - Environmental Awareness and Care; Strand Unit - Caring for the environment

• 45–90 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Project-Based Learning
• 60 min · Small Groups

The Great Energy Debate

Pupils are divided into groups, each representing a different energy source in Ireland (e.g., wind, solar, peat, natural gas). They research the pros and cons of their assigned source and then debate which should receive future government investment.

Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, giving examples of each.

Facilitation Tip

Provide prompt cards with key arguments to help structure each group's position.

What to look for

Use an 'Exit Ticket' where pupils must write down one action they can take at home to save energy and one question they still have about sustainability.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Project-Based Learning
• 90 min · Small Groups

Fair Trade Tuck Shop Challenge

In groups, pupils design a 'sustainable tuck shop' for the school. They must research Fairtrade products available in Ireland, calculate prices, and create posters explaining why choosing Fairtrade makes a difference.

Justify the importance of individual actions, like choosing sustainable products, in creating large-scale environmental change.

Facilitation Tip

Use real packaging from Fairtrade products to make the activity more tangible and engaging.

What to look for

Pupils create a detailed poster or a short digital presentation proposing a 'Green School' initiative. They must explain the problem, their proposed solution, and the expected benefits.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Project-Based Learning
• 45 min · Pairs

School Sustainability Audit

Pupils become 'eco-detectives', conducting an audit of the classroom or school's waste management, energy use, or water consumption. They record their findings and present a report with recommendations for improvement.

Evaluate a proposal for a school-based environmental project, such as a school garden or a 'Walk on Wednesday' campaign.

Facilitation Tip

Create a simple checklist or template to guide their audit and keep them focused.

What to look for

Pupils complete a 'K-W-L' chart at the beginning and end of the topic to reflect on what they Knew, what they Wanted to know, and what they Learned about sustainable living.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Begin by tapping into pupils' existing knowledge through a class brainstorm on 'caring for our world'. Use local and relatable examples, like the different bins we use at home or a nearby wind farm. When introducing global concepts like Fair Trade, use storytelling and visuals to connect pupils emotionally to the lives of producers in other countries. Provide structured templates for project planning to scaffold their ideas effectively.

By the end of this topic, you will be an expert on renewable energy and Fair Trade, and you'll be ready to plan and present your own brilliant idea for making our school a greener place.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• My small actions, like recycling one bottle, don't really make a difference.

  While one action seems small, it's the combined effect of everyone doing it that creates massive change. Think of it like a team scoring a goal: it takes lots of small, individual passes to get the ball into the net. When our whole community recycles, we save huge amounts of energy and resources.

• Renewable energy is perfect and has no negative effects.

  All forms of energy generation have some impact. For example, wind turbines can be noisy and affect local wildlife, and solar panels require a lot of resources to build. However, the overall environmental impact of renewables is far, far lower than that of burning fossil fuels.

• Being 'eco-friendly' is all about recycling.

  Recycling is very important, but it's actually the third 'R'. 'Reduce' (using less stuff in the first place) and 'Reuse' (using items again) are even more effective because they prevent waste from ever being created.

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Methods used in this brief

• Project-Based Learning