Three topics to guide teachers and pupils through environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and human relations: plastic, tomatoes, and kindness
> The original version in German on Plastic is available here
> The original version in German on Tomatoes is available here
> An English version on Plastic is also available here
> An English version on Tomatoes is also available here
Plastic is an indispensable part of our daily lives. Children’s rooms are full of plastic toys, water from lightweight plastic bottles is popular, our food is wrapped in plastic, our kitchens are full of plastic bowls and when we buy things everywhere plastic bags are used. Plastic is widely used and popular because of its characteristics. However, our full life of plastic gives the environment a hard fight. Rotting plastic takes up to 500 years. Sooner or later, large parts of the plastic waste end up in the sea. There are now even plastic islands in the sea. Many animals mistake the plastic waste with food, which often has deadly consequences. In addition, the water quality suffers from the plasticisers. Is plastic a curse or a blessing? Is it harmful to the human body? Would a life without plastic be possible at all? Are there any alternatives? And how can I approach this complex issue to 7 - 10-year olds?
Tomatoes are the favourite vegetable of many Europeans. Due to their good taste and bright red colour, it was referred to as "paradise apple". Anything other than heavenly are the cultivation and sale of the tomatoes in our globalised age: most tomatoes in our supermarkets are from the Spanish region of Almeria. Precarious working conditions of pickers, use of pesticides and huge water consumption have come to the agenda. These are just some aspects that will be addressed. Activities are presented in an interactive way, so that children from 6 to 10 years get to know the tomato from different perspectives: learn exciting facts about them, look at Almeria from space, develop a seasonal calendar for local vegetables, locating the origin of supermarket vegetables identified by the labels and discover ancient tomato varieties.
Author: Südwind and CVM
Year: 2018
Languages: Bulgarian
Typology of education resource : Guide for teachers (3 educational resources)
GCE Issues: GCE issues
Author: Südwind and CVM
Specific sub-thematic area(s): Responsible use of resources, Responsible consumption, Cooperation
Key word(s):
Tags:
citizens , environment , participation , plastic , stereotypes , Sustainability
School subject(s)/field(s) of studies in which the educational resource can be used: Bulgarian, Maths, Science
Activity’ objectives:
- The students discover the characteristics of plastic
- They extend their knowledge of the working conditions in the toy production
- They recognise their own connection with people in the global South
- The pupils reflect about alternatives to plastic
- The students expand their knowledge about tomatoes and vegetables growing in times of globalisation
- Students learn about unknown types of tomatoes
- They recognise why different varieties are important
Pupils’ learning competences (SUBJECT- specific) addressed: Comparing information, Discussing
Pupils’ learning competences (CGE) addressed: Expressing opinions and sharing different points of view.
Methodology: Cooperative-learning, Debate, Game and Meditation
Age range: 6-10
Duration: from 30 minutes to 1 hour each unit
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