“It’s not about the facts; it‘s about creating wonder and responsibility in young learners toward the world that surrounds them.” Smallest actions can make a big difference, enjoy the video below:
This course for second graders simplifies complex environmental issues through interactive learning. In here, I will share how this course integrates hands-on activities with digital tools to introduce key environmental concepts, such as recycling, pollution, and biodiversity, that will help students build habits to take positive action toward the environment.
Target Student Population/Demographics: Target audience is Second grade, Aged 7-8 year old who may have relatively minimal prior knowledge/experiences with environmental related subjects. Since children at this age usually show differing levels of understanding of abstract concepts, the course will employ a variety of sensory-rich teaching strategies.
The group of students will be at different literacy levels and will be exposed to environmental topics to a greater or lesser degree. We also intend to cater for different learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Since this course is targeting young learners, it should focus on simplifying complex environmental subjects with the purpose to raise curiosity and responsibility about nature.
Course Format: The class will be blended, offering both synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences. Synchronous learning will include live group discussions and real-time activities in the classroom, whereas asynchronous learning will take place through online interactive platforms such as Kahoot! quizzes, liveworksheets, video lessons, and assignments. This is how the students will have the opportunity to do activities both in class and at home for a more holistic learning experience outside of school.
Course Toolset:
- LMS: The Canvas learning platform will be used for submitting their assignments, receiving and viewing video content, and monitoring progress. Resources like worksheets and quizzes are also maintained on the same platform for easy access to the student.
- Instructional Tools:
- PBS Kids and National Geographic Kids will provide enhanced and interactive content to enrich students’ knowledge on various aspects of the environment.
- Liveworksheets will be used for interactive worksheets where students can brainstorm and practice concepts such as recycling, etc.
- Kahoot! will be used to assess the knowledge of the students through fun and engaging quizzes.
- Communication Tools: The teachers will be communicating with the students and parents via Canvas, announcing, giving feedback on assignments, and providing resources for further help.
Course Content and Learning Objectives: The course will cover critical concepts in environmental studies, including:
a) Importance of natural resources and biodiversity.
b) The consequences of pollution, deforestation, and changes in weather.
c) Recycling and waste management practices.
d) Interrelation between plants, animals, and the environment.
e) Practical ways to take care of the environment: waste reduction, water conservation, tree planting.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon course completion, the learner shall be able to:
- Appreciate the importance of environmental protection.
- Identify some important environmental issues and their consequences on living things.
- Demonstrate basic methods of recycling.
- Understand the relationship between plants, animals, and their habitats.
- Taking responsibility for environmental practices at home and in school.
Assessment of Learning:
- Formative Assessment: Group discussions, activities, and quizzes can be done through Kahoot!. The teacher will observe participation and completion of activities to monitor progress in learning.
- Summative Assessment: A final project in which students will present an environmental topic, such as creating a poster about recycling or pollution. A reflection quiz will also be given to assess learning and how well students can apply it in reality.
Considerations for Common Concerns:
- Low Bandwidth: Since many students may have low-speed internet, content will be designed for easy accessibility. Video lessons will be short and asynchronous activities will be in such a manner that students can download and complete offline.
- Access to Devices for Students: We will work with schools to ensure students have access to devices such as tablets or classroom computers. In addition, students will be given access to physical materials such as books and worksheets to ensure their participation.
- English as an Additional Language: The course will include visual aids, simple language, and interactive learning tools to accommodate learners that have EAL. The teacher will use clear language and will encourage peer support with group work.
- Addressing Attendance Concerns: Within this flexible blended model, students who are absent during synchronous sessions can watch the recorded lessons or do asynchronous activities. In the event that student fail to satisfy the attendance requirement, the instructor would speak to families as needed and set clear expectations.
- Cultural Considerations: The class will focus on environmental issues relevant to every culture and community. Activities will be universally themed around conservation and protection of natural resources, avoiding regional bias.
- Socioeconomic Status: The course will focus on low-cost, accessible materials. All digital resources will be used that are free, and physical resources like books shall be utilized from local libraries or schools.
Rationale for Choices Made in Design of Course Prototype: This course design takes into consideration the age and cognitive development of second graders, incorporating interactive, hands-on learning activities that address various learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The format allows students to engage with content both in and outside of school, accommodating varying schedules and paces. Familiar platforms like Canvas and Kahoot!, liveworksheets provide easy navigation, while video resources from PBS Kids and National Geographic Kids reinforce learning. This course makes use of low-cost, accessible resources to make learning inclusive for students from diverse backgrounds. The design of the course targets early environmental education to foster responsible, future-oriented behavior and inspire students to make small yet meaningful changes for the Earth.
Click here and find ADDIE MODEL for the course.
This second-grade course concept is an excellent way to teach environmental responsibility to young learners! I appreciate the focus on hands-on activities paired with online tools like PBS Kids, National Geographic Kids, and Kahoot!, which should engage kids according to their developmental stage and their learning preferences.
Group projects, debates, and the final project are all useful and age-appropriate methods of assessing learners, which I like. Students are likely to recall the self-aware tests and their focus on real-world uses like recycling and planting trees. It demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusivity because respect for culture and accessibility are top priorities for students from a variety of backgrounds, including English language learners and those with limited capacity.
Hi Neeraj, you have done a wonderful course idea! I really like how it makes learning more fun and engaging for students. The hands-on- activities, videos and interactive tools will definitely help students to learn more effectively. I appreciate that you considered different learning styles and made sure that all students can learn from it.
Nice Course concept Neeraj! I love that students with different learning styles can benefit from the course with such rich instructional tools like PBS Kids and national geographic Kids.
Hey Neeraj,
The program you have designed stands out as an excellent learning path designed for younger students. The approach through hand-driven activities linked with digital platforms enables learners to grasp environmental principles efficiently and with interest. Various teaching methods present in the course allow every student to take part effectively in the learning process. The presentation displays remarkable attention to making information accessible as well as language support and socioeconomic conditions. The learning experience could reach greater impact through adding basic real-world assignments such as class recycling competitions plus virtual nature exploration. You have designed an outstanding course which promotes complete inclusion!
I really appreciate the content idea and the introduction of Livesheets—this is a fantastic resource, and I’m excited to dive into it further! It seems like a great tool for making learning more dynamic.
What really resonates with me is your emphasis on community development within students. Your attention to cultural and socioeconomic considerations is especially important, and I appreciate the way you’ve woven these elements into the learning experience. These are important for student engagement and success. I definitely want to be more intentional about including these considerations in my own ideas moving forward.