From alleys to oceans

Taking action

Summary information

Age range:	7 - 14
Curriculum links:	Geography, Citizenship.
Time needed:	40 minutes.
Group size:	Pairs or small groups.
Setting:	Indoors and outdoors (survey).
Key vocabulary:	Compostable, rights and responsibilities
Sustainability learning outcome(s):	To understand the links between our everyday actions and the environment To understand that we can all make a positive difference

Resources needed:

Internet access.

Procedure:

1.Study the list of top 20 items from the beach litter survey:
www.adoptabeach.org.uk/pages/page.php?cust_id=10

2.Think about how these items ended up in the oceans – most of the litter on the beaches and in the ocean comes from our homes, schools, shops….about 20% comes from ships and boats.

3.Plan a litter survey to find the top 20 items of litter in your school and/or the local area – where will you go, what equipment will you need, who’ll need to go with you, what information will you collect, what will you do with the information you collect?

4.Conduct the survey and compare the results with those for the beach surveys.

5.Create a plan that will reduce the amount of litter around the school and/or in your local area.

Plenary

Discussion: What can we do to reduce the amount of litter in our school and/or local area? Think about: attitudes; rights & responsibilities; laws and rules; technological solutions such as Compostable packaging.

Extensions:

Take part in or create a scheme designed to reduce litter in your community.

Evaluation:

Work with a partner to complete a ‘Know, Think & Do’ cartoon (14 KB) for some of the following characters:
Pupil at your school; snack food manufacturer; fast food restaurant manager; packaging manufacturer; Prime Minister.

When it comes to solving the problem of litter, these are the things I want________ to know, think and do:

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