Principles of Sustainability

Overview

This 45-minute lesson introduces Year 5 students to the principles of sustainability and their connection to upcycling. It supports development of pupils’ understanding of environmental responsibility and creative problem-solving through group discussion and graphic organisers, aligned with the Curriculum for Wales framework.

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Curriculum for Wales Links

Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE): Science and Technology

• Science: Knowledge and Understanding of the World – Environmental Awareness and Sustainability
• Statements of What Matter:
  • “The way energy and natural resources are used affects the environment and sustainability.”
  • “Human activity has an impact on the environment which must be managed for long-term sustainability.”

Cross-Curricular Skills:

• Literacy (Speaking, Listening)
• Digital Literacy (if creating digital posters as extension)
• Personal and Social Development (collaboration and critical thinking)

Competencies Development:

• Creativity and Innovation: Applying knowledge to create posters; thinking critically about sustainability principles.
• Planning and Organising: Group work planning ideas collaboratively.
• Thinking: Understanding key concepts and connecting them with practical examples.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Define sustainability in simple terms.
• Identify and list at least three key principles of sustainability.
• Explain how these principles connect to the concept of upcycling.
• Collaborate effectively in small groups to brainstorm sustainable practices.

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Success Criteria

• I can explain what sustainability means.
• I can name at least three principles of sustainability.
• I can describe how sustainability and upcycling are connected.
• I can contribute ideas and listen to others in my group.

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Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Graphic organiser handouts for sustainability principles (with scaffolded templates)
• Paper and coloured pencils/pens for poster extension activity
• Example images or simple infographics illustrating sustainability and upcycling (printed or digital)

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Lesson Structure

Starter (5 minutes)

• Engage pupils by asking: "What do you know about 'sustainability'?"
• Write down pupils' initial ideas on the board (KWL chart – ‘What I Know’) to activate prior knowledge.
• Introduce the term sustainability and give a clear, age-appropriate definition: "Sustainability means using resources carefully so we don’t run out and everything stays healthy for a long time."

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Main Activity (30 minutes)

Part 1: Introducing Principles of Sustainability (10 mins)

• Explain three fundamental principles:

  1. Reduce – Use less waste and energy.
  2. Reuse – Find new ways to use things instead of throwing them away.
  3. Recycle – Process materials to make new things.

• Use simple examples relating to their daily life and upcycling (e.g., turning old clothes into bags).

• Display these on the board or projector with simple icons for visual support.

Part 2: Group Brainstorming with Graphic Organisers (20 mins)

• Divide class into 5 groups of 6 pupils.
• Distribute graphic organisers that prompt:
  • Write each principle at the top of a section.
  • Under each, pupils list examples or ideas of how to follow that principle at school/home.
• Circulate to support groups and assist learners with additional scaffolding as needed (e.g., sentence starters or word banks).
• Encourage all pupils to contribute: Promote talk partner ‘think-pair-share’ before adding ideas.

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Plenary (10 minutes)

• Groups share one idea from their organiser with the class.
• Teacher summarises how these ideas help make the environment better and connect back to upcycling.
• Revisit the KWL chart: Complete the ‘What I Learned’ section.

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Differentiation

• For learners needing support:

  • Provide graphic organiser with partially filled sections.
  • Use visual supports and sentence starters ("An example of reduce is…") to scaffold written and oral responses.
  • Provide key vocabulary list laminated at the table.

• For more able learners:

  • Challenge them to think of novel, creative sustainable practices beyond basic principles.
  • Ask these pupils to create a short explanatory sentence or slogan for one principle in their group.
  • Extension: Begin design of a poster illustrating one chosen principle, incorporating text and drawings.

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Extension Activity (Optional or Homework)

• Each pupil creates an individual or pair poster on one principle of sustainability.
• They may use collage, drawing, or digital tools as preferred.
• Posters will be displayed to promote environmental awareness around school or in the classroom.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe group discussions and note pupils’ ability to identify and talk about sustainability principles.
• Review completed graphic organisers to assess understanding and ability to generate examples.
• Evaluate oral contributions during plenary for confidence and accuracy of explanation.
• Optional assessment of extension posters for depth of understanding and creativity.

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Reflection and Next Steps

• Use this lesson to identify misconceptions or gaps in understanding for follow-up lessons on upcycling processes and environmental impact.
• Connect these principles in upcoming lessons to practical hands-on upcycling projects (e.g., creating products from reused materials).

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This lesson supports holistic development within the CfW framework through a combination of knowledge acquisition, collaborative learning, and creative expression centred on sustainability and upcycling.