Linking Education for Sustainability (EfS) to Geography and Civics and Citizenship with Year 6

Good afternoon year 6 parents and carers,

This term in HASS your children will be learning about Efs, how that links in with Geography and Civics and Citizenship, the skills they will gain and how they are learning those skills. 

                                                                  Figure 1: Sustainability in school isn’t as hard as you think

What knowledge out skills are the students gaining from Sustainability education?

EfS is a cross curriculum priority which links heavily to the HASS curriculum (ACARA 2015). This term students will be considering the obligations they have to the global community in terms of human rights issues and environmental issues (ACARA 2015). Education has a primary role to play in developing students’ abilities to recognise “contemporary problems” and applying that knowledge to rectifying unsustainable practices (Brett 2017). The focus of their learning will link to Geography through an understanding of how our environmental waste links us to countries such as China (Dunn 2018). It is believed that when there is a “human focus” students become more engaged with EfS learning (Reynolds 2009). By the end of the term your children should be able to identify interconnections between Australia and the global community and how these interconnections affect people. They should also be able to be able to apply that knowledge to ways they can participate as citizens, in school and in the wider community (ACARA 2015).

                                   Fashion Waste - Behind the News

Figure 2: Fashion Waste

How are the students learning this term?

This term students will be taking action in the community to help promote a sustainable future. Students will go on an excursion to the CSIRO to learn about what Climate Change means, and the causes and effects of Global warming to Australians and people around the world. Citizenship education experts confirm that learning through “real life” projects engages young people (Price 2003). Your children will identify methods of sustainable practice in the home and then we will build into community awareness by planting a tree on National Tree Day. They will also have an opportunity to write a letter to the MP regarding their views on ways they can help to combat waste for example the “ban the bag” cause. They might even start an initiative to ban plastic straws at the school. Through this they will begin to understand how “social, economic and environmental systems interact to maintain human life” (ACARA 2015).

Figure 3: It’s so bad for the environment, and it’s our future

How can you support your child's learning? 

Put a focus on sustainable practices at home. Simple things such as: recycling, having a compost and a garden, taking re-useable bags to the supermarket, being conservative with water and electricity. Encouraging your children to get involved with local sustainability initiatives such as National Tree Day. Remind your children that they are capable of making change now, they do not have to wait until they are adults.

Figure 4: Recycle

Thank you for taking the time to read,

Belinda Miller
Year 6 HASS

References 

                     ACARA. (2015). Australian Curriculum: Cross Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability. Retrieved  from: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/cross-curriculum-priorities/sustainability/  
                     ACARA. (2015). Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences. Retrieved from: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/humanities-and-social-sciences/

                      Brett, P, (2017). “Making Connections Between Civics and Citizenship and Education for Sustainability”, In A.Peterson & L.Tudball (eds.)Civics and Citizenship in Australia: Challenges, Practices and International Perspectives, Bloomsbury Press, London (pp. 165-185).

                   Dunn, J. (June 1^st, 2018). China’s waste ban is a mess for Australia. Retrieved from: https://www.intheblack.com/articles/2018/06/01/china-waste-ban-australia-mess

                     Price, J. (2003). Get Global! A skills-based approach to active global citizenship. London: Action Aid.
                     Reynolds, R. (2009). Teaching Studies of Society & Environment in the Primary School. South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.

                   

Appendices

                       Shuttershock. (August 2^nd, 2017). Sustainability in school isn’t as hard as you think. Retrieved from: https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/sustainability-in-school-isnt-as-hard-as-you-think/Content?oid=6580735

                       Behind the News. (May 9th 2017). Fashion Waste: Behind the News. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xLoVWVOBfc

                        RNZ – Mei Heron. (28^th June, 2017). It’s so bad for the environment, and it’s our future. Retrieved from: https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/334024/it-s-so-bad-for-the-environment-and-it-s-our-future

                        Appendix 4: Recycle. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/photos/recycle-reuse-recycling-recyclable-57136/