Lesson overview
This lesson challenges students to think about the potential myths we have been led to believe through selective media representation, by completing a true, false or uncertain activity. Students are then asked to think about the different motivations media outlets or organisations might have. Students conduct research about an ‘Ocean hero’ and create a poster outlining the impact of their work. The lesson is concluded by discussing the changes we can implement in our lives which will make a difference to the levels of marine plastics pollution.
Learning outcomes
- Review prior knowledge of ocean plastic pollution
- Recall facts about plastic pollution
- Explain why it is important to know the validity of a source
- Create an informative and interesting poster about a ‘Ocean hero’
- Share knowledge and understanding of marine plastic pollution by making a pledge
Lesson steps
- Ocean plastic pollution (5 minutes)
Students take part in a whole class discussion about ocean plastics pollution, share what they already know and consider where that information comes from. - True, false or uncertain (15 minutes)
Students play a game of true, false or uncertain where they are presented with a ‘fact’ and must discuss with their partner whether it is true, false or uncertain. - Media coverage (20 mins)
Students are given a variety of news reports and asked to assess the reliability of each source. Students then consider what the motivation for interested parties might be to promote or embellish ideas. - Ocean heroes (15 minutes)
In groups students are allocated an ‘Ocean hero’ to research and create a poster outlining the impact of their work. - Pledges (5 minutes)
Students investigate what they can do to make a difference to plastics pollution and write a pledge to share on a classroom display.