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A complete outline of the sustainability education activity is attached at the conclusion of this blog post.
Sustainability is a key element of twenty-first century learning, exploring the knowledge, skills, values, and world views necessary to act in ways that contribute to a sustainable future (Sandri, 2020). A rich authentic Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) learning experience, ‘Class waste management plan’, has been developed for a grade one class, designed to raise student awareness about informed action to create a more environmentally and socially just classroom. The development of this learning context connects earnestly to the outlined Knowledge and understanding strand and Geography sub-strand content description, enabling students to understand firsthand how places change and can be cared for sustainably (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2022a, AC9HS1K04). Furthermore, the activity has been scaffolded with meaningful links to the cross-curriculum priority, Sustainability and organising idea, Systems, focused on the responsible use of resources and sustainable practices for environmental preservation (ACARA, 2022b, SS2). This priority is future-oriented, encouraging children to reflect on how they interpret and engage with the world.
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To create a personalised learning environment that is relevant and engaging to pupils, a place-based pedagogy has been adopted, grounded by local community environmental contexts and issues, to beneficially encompass the sustainable skills necessary to become active citizens (Allen & White, 2021). Fullan et al. (2018) expressed that when teaching is student-centred, with authentic real-world connections, children develop a sense of place and become intrinsically motivated to delve into problem-based learning. Engaging directly with local systems and resources at the Toowoomba Regional Council (2024b), the grade one class will work collaboratively to identify where waste comes from, take responsibility for the rubbish generated in their classroom, and decide if various items are able to be reused or recycled. To further assist students in their inquiry, the digital resource, ‘Recycle Mate’ can be accessed to investigate local recycling guidelines, encouraging children to make sustainable choices now and in the future (Toowoomba Regional Council, 2024a).
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In alignment with the general capability, Critical and creative thinking, specifically the elements, Analysing and Inquiring, the class will apply key twenty-first century learning skills; problem-solving, critical thinking, judgement, teamwork, and decision-making to develop their sustainability consciousness and agency for favourable action (ACARA, 2022c; Sandri, 2020). This critical thinking is imperative to ensure students understand the ever-changing world in which they live, consider their current and future social, cultural and environmental impacts, and collaborate creatively to solve complex problems and participate in positive change (Peace et al., 2015).
Click to see the Toowoomba Regional Council resources utilised throughout the activity
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References
Allen, J., & White, S. (2021). Learning to teach in a new era (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2022a). Australian Curriculum: Foundation to year 10 curriculum: HASS F-6: Year 1 level description (Version 9.0). The Australian Curriculum. https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/learning-areas/hass-f-6/year-1
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2022b). Australian Curriculum: Foundation to year 10 curriculum: Understand this cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability (Version 9.0). The Australian Curriculum. https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/cross-curriculum-priorities/sustainability
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2022c). Australian Curriculum: Foundation to year 10 curriculum: Understand this general capability: Critical and creative thinking (Version 9.0). The Australian Curriculum. https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/critical-and-creative-thinking
Fullan, M., Quinn, J., & McEachen, J. (2018). Deep learning: Engage the world change the world (1st ed.). Sage Publications.
Peace, M., Davis, C., Nicholson, L., Remond, J., & Pearson, J. (2015). Education for sustainability and the Australian Curriculum project: Final report for research phases 1 to 3. Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance. https://www.aaee.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AAEE-Education-for-Sustainability-and-the-Australian-Curriculum-Project-Final-Report-2015.pdf
Sandri, O. (2020). What do we mean by ‘pedagogy’ in sustainability education? Teaching in Higher Education, 27, 114–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2019.1699528
Toowoomba Region. (2019a, April 29). What can you recycle? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yG34Y5xhrU
Toowoomba Region. (2019b, April 29). What is waste management? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uJVYrhbZ6k&list=PLOHh_W_ijXz98mbDeDkIiToRtf0tIvD0v&index=13
Toowoomba Region. (2019c, April 30). How to generate less waste [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47rc-dgVMpY
Toowoomba Regional Council. (2024a). Recycling Mate [Computer software]. https://sitelet.recyclemate.com.au/sitelet/23
Toowoomba Regional Council. (2024b). Recycling options in Toowoomba Region. https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/environment-water-waste/waste-recycling/recycling-tips/7966-44