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Global Classroom Connect Lesson Plan

Global Classroom Connect » Lessons » What are the SDGs and How Can We Help?

What are the SDGs and How Can We Help?

Author: Greg Gaiera
Grade Level(s): 3-5
Subject(s): Sustainable Development Goals

Lesson Objective

  •  Students will be able to understand the basic concept of the SDGs and how they relate to the world around them.
  •  Small groups will identify one goal that they can all contribute to.
  •  Each small group will identify multiple ways that they can help achieve that goal.
  •  Each group  will make a poster that illustrates their contribution to achieving that goal
  •  Students will communicate the goal that they are working on with their partner class in Taiwan

Overview

Students will learn about the SDGs by watching videos and listening to a read aloud. In small groups, they will choose an SDG and brainstorm small ways that they can work towards  helping that goal.

Preparation

  1. Download and print SDG icons (Scroll down to find individual icons)
  2. Familiarize yourself with The Road to the SDGs video
  3. Review the read aloud possibilities ( Raising Global Kidizens ) or ( Global Classroom Connect  SDG read aloud list) mentioned in the materials list.
  4. Gather materials for students to draw a picture and/or write a sentence explaining the action they will take to help achieve the SDG
  5. Place The Planet and the 17 Goals  in students google classroom or other digital platform under a material topic

Lesson 1 (30 min): Introducing the SDGs

  1. Ask students to brainstorm ways that they can help take care of the Earth and its inhabitants. Write their ideas on the board.
  2. Connect their ideas to SDGs (ex…picking up trash can help SDG 15-Life on Land)
  3.  Explain that there are 17 goals set by the United Nations that are meant to help take care of the Earth and its people. These goals are called the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.
  4. Show the SDG icons displayed in the classroom and briefly explain that each icon represents one goal.
  5. Share  The Road to the SDGs: A discussion with students (video) to give students  an overview
  6. Split class into small groups (3-4 students) before the next lesson.

 Lesson 2 (30 min): Learning more about each SDG

  1. Read parts of The Planet and the 17 Goals to highlight specific goals.
  2. Have each small group read through all of the goals off of their tablet or computer
  3. Students discuss which SDG that they will pick.
  4. Each group will pick a SDG to make a poster for.

Lesson 3 (45 minutes) Digging Deeper into one SDG

  1.  Give each group a link to the book on the Global Classroom Connect SDG read aloud list that corresponds with their SDG.
  2. Each group has a short discussion on how they can make small actions towards helping  their SDG.
  3. Have them design a poster that illustrates their SDG and shows how they will make small steps toward helping it.  Have them relate their action back to the read aloud book.
  4. Give each group an opportunity to share their ideas with the class.

 

Standards

Grade 3 Standards addressed

  1. HSS 3.4.1 – Role of citizenship in promoting rules and laws
  2. HSS 3.4.2 – Participation in classroom and community life
  3. CCSS ELA SL.3.1 – Collaborative discussions
  4. CCSS ELA SL.3.4 – Present information clearly
  5. CCSS ELA W.3.2 – Informative writing

Grade 4 Standards addressed

History–Social Science

  1. HSS 4.5.1 – Human impact on the environment
  2. HSS 4.5.3 – Care and use of natural resources
  3. HSS 4.4.5 – Civic responsibility and participation

ELA

  1. SL.4.1 – Collaborative discussion
  2. SL.4.4 – Present information clearly
  3. RI.4.1 – Use details from informational text
  4. W.4.2 – Informative writing

Grade 5 Standards Addressed

History–Social Science

  1. HSS 5.7.5 – Civic participation and responsibility
  2. HSS 5.6.2 – Human interaction with the environment

ELA

  1. SL.5.1 – Collaborative discussions
  2. SL.5.4 – Present information clearly
  3. RI.5.1 – Use evidence from informational text
  4. W.5.2 – Informative writing

Materials

  1. Pictures or SDG icons of each of the 17 SDGs (scroll down to find the individual icons)
  2. The Road to the SDGs: A discussion with students video explaining the SDGs
  3.  Construction paper or other material for students to make posters on
  4.  Raising Global Kidizens book list
  5.  The Planet and the 17 Goals : grade appropriate comic book highlighting each SDG
  6.  Global Classroom Connect  SDG read aloud list curated list of picture book read alouds that address SDGs. One book for each SDG.
  7.  Pencils/Markers/Crayons
  8.  Extension: Book Creator 
  9.  One computer for each small group
Lesson Resources