Embedded Files
When we started this journey in 2023, it was on a blank canvas. There has now been an 'explosion' of activities and lesson plans developed to help our students explore, but before we get carried away and start linking to every lesson plan or activity we come across, it is important here to state that TOTCUS is about students working together, gathering information related to a topic that the group is interested to explore, share that information, and start developing and putting into action a plan that will make a difference in their school or community.
Co-founder and director, Geoff is in the position to action the information is gaining. We are not just gathering formation to fill this TOTCUS website and hopefully help teachers and students access that information, we are also trying to put what we are learning into action, with our students.:
Promote participation in TOTCUS;
Teach and action the relationship between climate change and various parts of the curriculum;
Offer a short 6-7 week as part of our non-graded learning enhancement programme.
Offer 'professional development' activities and access to resources for colleagues.
BELOW ARE Examples of our classroom activities, and links, as we find them, to the lessons and activities being generated around the world.. If you have resources, favourite lesson plans (please keep them simple) , we would appreciate you sharing them. SEND TO totcus.project@gmail.com. If you are sharing someone else's work, please acknowledge the source.
POSTERS
An activity my students enjoy is to make a professional looking poster that requires they research a disease that is related to a pollution group-for example asthma and air pollution. The students must then show the impact of climate change on (in this case asthma and air pollution) and then propose solutions to mitigate or adapt to the cause. The students could work individually or in pairs/groups AND present their findings to others.
POSTER requirements
Answer the following questions:
a. What is the disease?
b. What is the relationship between the disease and pollution;
c. What is the relationship between the disease, the pollution and climate change; and
d. What are some possible solutions (realistic) that could be applied that will help reduce climate change, the pollution and therefore the disease.
NOTE: Use the who, what, where, when, why and how framework when answering these questions.
The poster must have:
a. Clear title that can be read 10 m away;
b. Information in separate boxes, each with clear sub-title;
c. At least four relevant pictures, graphs, etc;
d. Be colourful;
e. List all references and sources of illustrations;
f. Name of student and class in bottom right hand corner
g. Be eye-catching -- "asks the reader to read your poster"
Presentation:
a. No reading of the poster directly.
b. Use the subtitle as a prompt, point to illustrations to help tell the story.
c. Max of 2 minutes per presentation with 1-2 minutes for Q and A.
Marking:
Use the requirements above to establish a marking rubric.
Media:
Use a Google Slide to develop the poster on. (Students can use other digital tools, however we ask that all posters (one page only) are converted to a Google Slide, so they can be placed into a folder, that allows separation into sub-folders for easy access.
Incentives:
Prizes / certificates can be used to encourage ther student. We host a 1 hour poster fair, where the top posters, printed, can be displayed and the students recognised.
Additional Resources for Teachers
Additional Resources for Teachers
Climate Mental Health Network supports educators in understanding and responding to the youth mental health challenges posed by climate change. Our tools and resources — grounded in research and tested across communities — raise your climate literacy so you’re better prepared to help students navigate their emotional responses in a supportive environment. Our connections across the mental health field provide opportunities to convert that knowledge into action, gaining the mental health and learning supports your students need while becoming a more effective advocate for a better climate future.
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