Caring for Our Environment

Overview

This lesson introduces Foundation students in Australia to environmental responsibility through the picture book Litterbug Doug by Ellie Bethel. Students will engage in a discussion about pollution, explore visual prompts, and develop simple, actionable ways to help care for their environment.

Curriculum Links

Subject: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Geography
Curriculum Level: Foundation Year
Elaboration Focus: The importance of places to people and ways they can care for places (ACHASSK015)

Learning Intentions

• Students will understand why it’s important to keep our environment clean.
• Students will explore the impact of litter on nature and animals.
• Students will learn simple ways they can help reduce waste and protect the environment.

Success Criteria

• Students can identify a clean and polluted environment.
• Students can suggest ways to care for the environment, such as picking up litter and recycling.
• Students can explain why looking after our environment helps animals and nature.

Materials Needed

• Litterbug Doug by Ellie Bethel (physical or digital copy)
• Laminated pictures of clean and polluted environments
• A small bin and a few recyclable materials for demonstration (e.g. paper, plastic bottle, cardboard box)

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Lesson Structure (15 Minutes)

1. Introduction (2 minutes) – Setting the Scene

Begin by asking students:

• "Where are your favourite places to play outside?"
• "How would you feel if your favourite playground was covered in rubbish?"

Explain that today we are going to read a special book about a messy character called Litterbug Doug and learn about how we can look after the environment.

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2. Read Aloud (5 minutes) – Litterbug Doug

Read Litterbug Doug with enthusiasm, stopping at key moments to engage students with questions:

• "What do you think will happen next?"
• "How do you think the animals feel about the rubbish?"
• "What would you tell Doug if you met him?"

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3. Discussion & Visual Activity (5 minutes)

Lay out the laminated pictures—one showing a littered environment and one showing a clean environment. Ask students to gather around and discuss:

• "Which environment would you like to play in? Why?"
• "What can we do to fix the messy environment?"
• "What do you think the rubbish does to animals?"

Encourage students to share their ideas and reinforce ways they can help:
✅ Putting rubbish in a bin
✅ Picking up litter with an adult’s help
✅ Recycling and reusing materials

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4. Hands-On Mini Activity (3 minutes) – ‘Fix the Environment!’

Place a few small pieces of safe, clean 'rubbish' (paper, plastic, cardboard) around the play area. Ask for volunteers to ‘fix the environment’ by picking up the rubbish and sorting it into a small bin and a recycling box.

Afterward, highlight:

• "Look how easy it was for us to clean up!"
• "We can all help take care of our world like this every day!"

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Reflection (End of Lesson – 1 Minute)

Conclude with:

• "What is one thing you will do to help keep our environment clean?"
• Give each student a ‘Green Hero’ sticker or a simple ‘Earth Protector’ hand stamp to reinforce positive behaviour.

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Extension Idea (If Time Allows or for a Later Lesson)

• Creative Art: Have students create a collage using clean recycled materials. Talk about how we can turn rubbish into something new.
• Outdoor Investigation: If possible, take students outside to spot any rubbish around the school and safely clean up together.

Assessment & Observation

✔ Did students actively participate in discussions?
✔ Could they identify problems caused by litter?
✔ Were they able to suggest and apply simple ways to care for the environment?

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Teacher Notes & Adaptations

• For highly engaged classes, consider acting out a short role-play with students being ‘Earth Protectors’ stopping ‘Litterbug Doug’.
• If working with students with additional needs, provide visual cue cards for key concepts such as ‘bin’, ‘recycle’, and ‘help the environment’.
• Keep questions open-ended and encourage peer responses to foster deeper thinking.

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This interactive and thought-provoking lesson allows young learners to develop a strong connection with their environment and feel empowered to make a difference! 🌱🍃