Topic: People and nature (Exercise)

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy. It is part of the Spectator College programme and it is linked to the articles: Slow down, fashion and What is the deal with palm oil?

CONTENT

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Recommended Usage and Format for excercises

EXERCISE 1 linked to the article: Slow down, fashion

Lesson Objectives
• Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
• Analyze position
• Respond to argument and work with evidence

1. Read article (10 minutes)
   a. underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

2. Understanding: (5 minutes)
   a. have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)
   a. Explain the difference between “fast fashion” and “slow fashion.”
   b. What are the main ways the clothes you buy have a negative impact on the environment?

4. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5 minute discussion)
   a. Prompt: In the article there is conflicting information presented about H&M and Zara. They are grouped, negatively in the “fast fashion,” but are scored Avantgarde in the environmentally friendly ratings from Greenpeace. Take a position as to which categorization you believe is more important (or better) for the environment and support with other evidence in the article.

5. Discussion (10 minutes)
   a. Find common views and dissenting views about the environmental impact of clothing purchases.

EXERCISE 2 linked to the article: What is the deal with palm oil?

Lesson Objectives

• Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)

• Analyze position

• Respond to argument and work with evidence

1. Read article (5 minutes)
   a. Underline any words you do not recognize or understand

2. Understanding: (5 minutes)
   a. Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)
   a. Explain why is the production and consumption harmful to the environment?
   b. Explain the potential solutions to the harmful impacts of palm tree oil production and consumption.

4. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5 minute discussion)
   a. Prompt: Should goods like palm oil, primarily produced in developing nations, but consumed in western developed nations be subject to stricter environmental regulations? Should these be environmental regulations in the developing companies or commercial regulations in developed nations (i.e. only allowing the sale of RSPO/Green Palm)? State your position and use evidence from the article to support it.

5. Discussion (10 minutes)
   a. Find common views and dissenting views protecting the environment in the developing world.

Recommended Usage and Format for excercises

We believe a discussion-based format is best for achieving the learning objectives. We also believe that using the technique Writing as Thinking helps students to formulate their ideas and practice their writing in advance of the discussion. The degree of facilitator and adult involvement will vary according to student background and secondary objectives.

Writing

Model by being willing to write along with students and also to share your writing with the class.

Let them know before writing if they will be asked to share their writing out loud.

Here writing is first thoughts, so poor spelling, punctuation or conventions are not the focus.

Focus on engaging with ideas.

They do not need to apologize for the quality of their writing.

Discussion

Set expectations for active listening and body language

Engage introverts and extroverts, be mindful of dominant voices

Be mindful of how much you are speaking

Manage time

Encourage students to respond directly to each other, and not through the facilitator, using evidence- I agree with Igor’s point because…

Encourage everyone to draw from evidence in the text to support their points, avoid generalizations

Can you point to a line in the text…

Can you help me to understand…

Could you give an example…

Use techniques to encourage other voices

Let’s hear some other thoughts…

Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t contributed yet...

Techniques for managing time/discussion

Put this in the parking lot and move on…

Let’s pause here…

Parts of the lesson

Focused Free Write- an opportunity for students to write freely, but about a specific prompt.

Reflection- an opportunity to think about the lesson, what they have learned and hopefully how it will help them or how it connects to their life

Underlining words- this strategy is a good habit for students and it also allows them more ownership of their vocabulary.

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy and it is part of the Spectator College, a programme created by The Slovak Spectator.