Lesson Plan Overview: Social Sciences - Year 13 (Tourism and Sustainability)

Curriculum Area and Level

• Subject: Social Sciences
• Year Group: Year 13
• Focus: Tourism and its sustainability in New Zealand and globally
• Curriculum Standards: This lesson plan aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum for Social Sciences for senior secondary students. The focus on tourism and sustainability fits within the broader context of understanding economic activities and their social and environmental impacts, aligning with the social sciences learning objectives of critical thinking and understanding contemporary issues through a multi-disciplinary approach.

Lesson 1: Understanding Tourism

Objectives:

1. Define tourism and understand its components.
2. Discuss the significance of tourism to New Zealand’s economy and identity.

Materials Needed:

• Internet access for research
• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed handouts of tourism data from Stats NZ and Tourism New Zealand

Activities:

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a discussion on what students believe tourism is, recording ideas on the whiteboard.
• Introduce the formal definition of tourism and its different types (domestic, international, eco-tourism).

Group Activity (20 minutes)

• Activity: Break the class into five groups. Assign each group a sector of New Zealand tourism to research (e.g., adventure tourism, cultural tourism, eco-tourism). Each group will use provided handouts and online resources like Tourism New Zealand’s website to gather facts.
• Task: Prepare a brief presentation on their sector’s impact on the local economy and cultural identity.

Presentations and Discussion (15 minutes)

• Groups present their findings.
• Facilitate a discussion on the varying impacts of different tourism sectors.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Recap the main points and discuss what will be covered in the next class.

Homework:

• Students will prepare a one-page reflection on how tourism affects New Zealand’s international reputation.

Lesson 2: The Sustainability of Tourism

Objectives:

1. Understand the concept of sustainable tourism.
2. Analyze the practices that make tourism sustainable.

Materials Needed:

• Laptops/tablets for research
• Access to websites such as Sustainable Tourism New Zealand
• Projector and screen for presentation

Activities:

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Discuss the concept of sustainability in tourism.
• Highlight the importance of sustainable practices in preserving tourism attractions.

Research and Analysis Activity (25 minutes)

• Activity: Each student selects a global destination and researches its sustainable tourism practices using their devices.
• Task: Prepare a short presentation on their findings including challenges faced and successful strategies employed.

Presentation and Peer Feedback (10 minutes)

• Students present their findings to the class.
• Encourage constructive feedback focusing on the sustainability practices discussed.

Discussion (5 minutes)

• Discuss why these practices could be relevant or adapted to New Zealand.

Homework:

• Students write up a proposal for improving sustainability practices in a local New Zealand tourism site, using insights gained from the global examples.

Lesson 3: Case Studies and Real-World Application

Objectives:

1. Apply knowledge of tourism and sustainability to New Zealand specific case studies.
2. Develop critical thinking through analysis and debate.

Materials Needed:

• Case study handouts (could include examples like Milford Sound and the Sky Tower)
• Access to New Zealand tourism impact reports and studies

Activities:

Case Study Review (15 minutes)

• Distribute case study handouts.
• Students read individually and note key sustainability practices and areas for improvement.

Group Discussion and Strategy Formulation (20 minutes)

• In groups, students discuss their case studies.
• Develop a theoretical strategy to enhance sustainability in their assigned locations.

Strategy Presentation and Class Vote (10 minutes)

• Each group presents their strategy.
• Class votes on the most effective and practical strategy.

Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Discuss how these strategies can be implemented realistically.
• Recap the key lessons learned over the three lessons.

Homework:

• Students prepare a poster or digital presentation summarizing their group strategy and its benefits.

These lessons are designed to meet New Zealand curriculum standards, providing comprehensive, engaging, and relevant learning experiences centered on the crucial topics of tourism and sustainability within a New Zealand and global context.