Activity Overview
There are many ways we can work to reduce the effect we have on the environment. Get your students to think of different ways they can reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their impact on global warming. In this activity, they'll create a T Chart that proposes alternative activities to things they (or others) do in their lives.
The suggested activities in this assignment are driving to work, turning your heating up too high, throwing a soda can in the trash, and taking short flights. You can change these easily to anything you want or even let your students decide on the activities. Make this more challenging for students by giving them a theme for their activities. For example, ask your students to think of ways to be greener in school. Alternatively, have your students research what activities release the largest amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and then think of greener alternatives for those activities.
This activity could provide a great stimulus for a class discussion on what your students can do to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their contribution to global warming.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Think of ways to make common activities better for the environment.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the right hand column add the following activities in the description boxes then illustrate them with scenes, props, and characters.
- Driving to work or school in a private car
- Setting your heating too high at home
- Throwing a soda can in the trash
- Taking short flights
- Think of an idea of how you can make each activity greener. Illustrate your idea with a series of scenes, props, and characters.
- Write a sentence describing under each one describing how your idea is better for the environment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideas | You have a creative, greener idea for every activity. | You have a creative, greener idea most activities. | You have a creative, greener idea some activities. |
| Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates your idea. | The storyboard cell relates to your idea, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to your idea |
| Description | You have a clear description explaining how your idea is better for the environment for every cell. | You have a clear description explaining how your idea is better for the environment for most cells. | You have a clear description explaining how your idea is better for the environment for some cells. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
There are many ways we can work to reduce the effect we have on the environment. Get your students to think of different ways they can reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their impact on global warming. In this activity, they'll create a T Chart that proposes alternative activities to things they (or others) do in their lives.
The suggested activities in this assignment are driving to work, turning your heating up too high, throwing a soda can in the trash, and taking short flights. You can change these easily to anything you want or even let your students decide on the activities. Make this more challenging for students by giving them a theme for their activities. For example, ask your students to think of ways to be greener in school. Alternatively, have your students research what activities release the largest amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and then think of greener alternatives for those activities.
This activity could provide a great stimulus for a class discussion on what your students can do to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their contribution to global warming.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Think of ways to make common activities better for the environment.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the right hand column add the following activities in the description boxes then illustrate them with scenes, props, and characters.
- Driving to work or school in a private car
- Setting your heating too high at home
- Throwing a soda can in the trash
- Taking short flights
- Think of an idea of how you can make each activity greener. Illustrate your idea with a series of scenes, props, and characters.
- Write a sentence describing under each one describing how your idea is better for the environment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideas | You have a creative, greener idea for every activity. | You have a creative, greener idea most activities. | You have a creative, greener idea some activities. |
| Visualization | The storyboard cell clearly illustrates your idea. | The storyboard cell relates to your idea, but is difficult to understand. | The storyboard cell does not clearly relate to your idea |
| Description | You have a clear description explaining how your idea is better for the environment for every cell. | You have a clear description explaining how your idea is better for the environment for most cells. | You have a clear description explaining how your idea is better for the environment for some cells. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Making Green Choices
Encourage Students to Track Their Environmental Impact Over Time
Motivate students by having them keep a simple log of their daily green choices and challenges. Tracking progress helps students see real-world results of their actions and builds lifelong eco-friendly habits.
Set Up a Classroom Green Choices Journal
Provide each student with a notebook or digital document to record their green actions, such as recycling or walking to school. Journaling encourages reflection and accountability, making environmental learning personal.
Schedule Weekly Reflection and Sharing Sessions
Dedicate time each week for students to share their successes and challenges from their journals. Sharing fosters community, inspires new ideas, and strengthens commitment to making eco-friendly choices.
Celebrate Progress With Visual Displays
Create a class chart or bulletin board to highlight student achievements, like days walked to school or cans recycled. Visual displays recognize efforts, boost morale, and make environmental impact visible.
Set Classroom Goals and Reward Milestones
Work together to set realistic green goals, such as reducing classroom waste by 20%. Rewarding milestones—like a class certificate or eco-friendly prize—motivates students to keep making green choices.
Frequently Asked Questions about Making Green Choices
What is a T Chart for making green choices in the classroom?
A T Chart is a graphic organizer that helps students compare current activities with greener alternatives. For making green choices, students list common actions (like driving to school) on one side and brainstorm eco-friendly alternatives (like biking) on the other.
How can students reduce their carbon footprint at school?
Students can reduce their carbon footprint at school by using public transportation, recycling, conserving energy, reducing waste, and participating in school-wide sustainability projects.
What are some easy green alternatives to everyday activities for students?
Easy green alternatives include walking or biking instead of driving, lowering home heating, recycling cans, and choosing virtual meetings over short flights. Each small change helps lower environmental impact.
Why is it important for students to learn about reducing their impact on global warming?
Teaching students about global warming empowers them to make informed choices, develop critical thinking, and take action to protect the planet for future generations.
What are the steps for a classroom activity on green choices using a T Chart?
Steps: 1) Pick daily activities; 2) Create a T Chart; 3) List current actions on one side and greener alternatives on the other; 4) Illustrate each; 5) Write a sentence explaining the environmental benefit of each green choice.
More Storyboard That Activities
The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
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