Lesson Introduction
Students are always learning about environmental issues, as well as, equality and inequality throughout the curriculum. Whether it is through units in Science (Wildlife& Ecosystems, Ocean Health, Air Pollution, Climate Change, Weather Extremes, Animal Habitat Destruction), Social Studies (Residential School, Refugees), Earth Day or Pink Day, students are always learning about the consequences of individual or collective behaviour. This poetry frame inspires students to reflect on what they have learnt and promotes critical thinking, as well as, cooperative learning. For example, “Somewhere today, water is being carelessly wasted in running taps, showers and baths while others face debilitating drought.” or “Somewhere today, people are running from uncontrollable wildfires.” Poetry can be constructed in a positive (focussing on solutions) or negative framework (focussing on the problems) depending on intended learning outcomes.
Learning Objectives
In this lesson, students will have opportunities to:
- Conduct research based on the topic chosen (ie. Climate Change).
- Explore problems and solutions related to the topic at hand.
- Generate discussion amongst classmates regarding issues at hand.
- Collaboratively create sensory images based on themes and facts explored using the prompt “Somewhere Today”.
- Formulate statements using alliteration and vivid sensory language that describes the problem or solution for the topic chosen (ie. climate change).
- Review and synthesize learning by reflecting on the topic of study.
Materials and Resources
To teach this lesson, you will need:
- graphic organizer for research (attached)
- graphic organizer for problems and solutions (attached)
- sensory images brainstorm graphic organizer
- handout for rough draft of “Somewhere Today” poem
- iPads or information resources related to topic you've chosen for poem.
- Thesaurus or iPad for word choice