Week 6- Education for Sustainability

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Dear Parents,

Re: Term 2- Integrated topic

First of all, thank you to all the parents who have come and expressed their concerns to me about our term 2 integrated unit and I am glad that you all were all able to come and talk to me about this.

After many discussions with parents, I feel that I need to clarify and explain why your children are learning about sustainability. Kriewaldt (2012) defines sustainability as; “Maintenance of environmental processes that support life”. Essentially, this definition means, ways in which we maintain the environment around us. It is very important for students to be aware of their surroundings and to help maintain it.

The Australian Curriculum, Reporting and Assessment (ACARA) have a set curriculum that have specific learning outcomes that each and every child MUST reach in each year of their schooling, in order to successfully complete that year level. One area of the curriculum is Humanities and Social Sciences; Which is the area of curriculum our integrated topic is focusing on.

If you are interested and have some time you can explore the Australian Curriculum website; http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/

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This term the integrated focus is based upon the curriculum learning outcome; “ The natural resources provided by the environment, and different views on how they could be used sustainably” (ACHGK024). This learning outcome comes straight from the grade 4 set of learning outcomes on the Australian curriculum website. Currently in society we are beginning to realise that not all of our natural resources are going to last forever if we do not look after them. A term that come up quite frequently in media is “Global Warming”. Today’s society is starting think about how we can all work together in protecting our resources and keep reproducing resources.

This unit of work allows students to look at all the natural resources our beautiful country provides us and all of the different ways it can be used sustainably. Students will be encouraged to discuss, reflect and investigate how they can create a sustainable future for themselves and others around them. The thing I love about integrated topics such as sustainability is that I get to give students the opportunity to explore the environment around them and they get to do some very engaging hands on activities that can teach them many skills such as responsibility. Reynolds (2012) has even stated that “Authentic learning is when the learning in the classroom is closely related to the world outside the classroom”. Students will be given the opportunity to help develop and maintain the school vegetable garden. Students will learn about how they can produce fruit and vegetables, how to maintain that vegetable garden and healthy eating!

Reynolds (2012) refers to UNESCO’s statement; “education for sustainable development enables people to develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge to make informed decisions for the benefit of themselves and others, now and in the future, and to act upon these decisions”. Essentially I would like students to be come informed thinkers and make choices that will benefit not only themselves but the others around them. Gilbert & Hoepper (2011) Also make a very appropriate comment about learning about sustainability; This unit enhances, encourages and builds student confidence so that they can form their own opinions.

A very sweet online clip I encourage all of you to view, is a clip created by a student who goes by the name “Kid President”. If we can develop young students to think like him, I think they can make a difference in the world!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z7gDsSKUmU OR Search: Kid President- How To Change The World (A Work In Progress).

Hopefully, this letter has clarified some concerns that some of you may have had. But please remember, my classroom door is always open and I am happy to discuss any concerns, queries or even just a chat to see how your child is going. If there was any thing in this letter that you may find a little confusing, I am happy to clarify that for you.

“I alone cannot change the world, BUT I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.- Mother Teresa

Many thanks

Miss Carla Coutts (Year 4C Classroom teacher)

coutts.carla.c@edumail.vic.gov.au

Ph: (03) 9705 9999

River Primary School

References

• Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA), (2010). Cross curriculum perspectives. Retrieved 10^th January, 2015 from: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/

• Gilbert, R., & Hoepper, B. (Eds.). (2014). Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences: History, Geography, Economics & Citizenship (5th ed.). Southbank, VIC: Cengage Learning

• Reynolds, R. (2009). Teaching studies of society & environment in the primary school. South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand.

• Taylor, T., Fahey, C., Kriewaldt, J., Boon, D. (2012) Place and Time-Exploration in Teaching Geography and History. Frenchs Forest;NSW; Pearson Australia.