Top tips for planning lessons on climate change

More young people than ever before are taking an interest in fighting the impact of climate change. Providing climate education at school is a fantastic way to help them learn about what they can do for the environment. However, knowing where to begin can be tricky. We spoke to Becca, the Environmental Learning Co-ordinator at Runway’s End for her top tips on how to lead lessons about climate change.

Focus on solutions

A survey from Save the Children shows that 70% of children are experiencing climate anxiety to some degree. Showing pupils that there are solutions can help to alleviate some of these anxieties. Teaching them about good habits they can adopt, like recycling, may help them understand that they can take part in tackling the effects of climate change. As well as this, fostering a sense of stewardship over the planet has the potential to inspire them to play a bigger role in tackling climate change in the future.

Use resources from expert organisations

Lots of reputable organisations, like the UN and the WWF, have resources you can use to plan your lessons on climate change. When delivering climate education, Becca likes to work from the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which include things like clean energy, clean water, and responsible consumption . As all these goals form part of a wider strategy around environmental stewardship, she uses these goals as a framework for a climate curriculum, planning lessons around each concept. They can be used to start classroom discussions or for inspiration for projects. Alternatively, the WWF offers a variety of ready-made resources available for children of all ages - from worksheets to presentations.

Take your class outside

One of the most essential aspects of climate education is developing an appreciation for nature, and the easiest way to facilitate this is by spending time outside. Students will get to see all the ways parts of nature connect to form ecosystems, and how each part, whether a tiny ant or a giant tree, plays a vital role. As they learn the value of the natural world around them, students can understand their responsibility in caring for it. You could try activities like hunting for minibeasts in the playground, or pond dipping to really immerse children in nature. If you want to try going further afield, visit Runway’s End for a jam-packed eco-adventure.

Form links with the curriculum

No matter the age of your pupils, you can link your climate education back to the curriculum. Primary school children can start by learning about how living things work together as part of the science curriculum. Once subjects like history and geography are introduced into the curriculum, pupils can start learning about the effects of the climate on the local landscape and on the weather. When planning your lessons, think about how your topic can link to climate change.