Nature and Humanity

Overview

Subject: Science
Grade Level: 9th Grade
Duration: 179 minutes
Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

Objectives

• Analyze the key themes and messages in "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet."
• Understand the impact of human activities on the environment.
• Develop critical thinking skills by answering specific documentary questions.
• Foster a sense of responsibility and awareness towards environmental conservation.

Materials

• "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet" documentary
• Projector and screen
• Student notebooks and pens
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed movie questions handout
• Timer
• Art supplies for poster creation (paper, markers, colored pencils)

Lesson Structure

Introduction (15 minutes)

• Welcome and Attendance: Quick roll call and setting the tone for the class.
• Introduction to Documentary: Explain the importance of documentaries as educational tools and provide a brief introduction to David Attenborough.
• Objectives Overview: Highlight the key objectives of the lesson to set learning expectations.

Viewing the Documentary (85 minutes)

• Documentary Viewing (80 minutes): Students watch "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet." Ensure the room is set for optimal viewing experience.
• Initial Reflection (5 minutes): After the documentary, give students a few minutes to jot down their immediate reactions and thoughts.

Interactive Discussion (25 minutes)

• Guided Discussion: Use the whiteboard to outline key themes:
  • The footprint of human activities on global ecosystems.
  • Potential solutions for biodiversity conservation.
• Key Questions:
  • What surprised you about the documentary?
  • How has human activity shaped our current environmental crises?
  • What roles do individuals and communities play in fostering environmental stabilization?

Movie Questions Activity (25 minutes)

• Group Formation (5 minutes): Divide the class into groups of 6-8 students.
• Handout Distribution: Distribute the printed movie questions handout to each group.
• Discussion and Response (20 minutes): Allow groups to discuss the movie questions in their handout. Each group will prepare brief responses to share with the class.

Group Presentations (24 minutes)

• Group Sharing (20 minutes): Each group presents its discussion responses to the class.
• Feedback (4 minutes): Encourage peer feedback, offering constructive and insightful comments in response to each presentation.

Creative Activity - Environmental Solutions Poster (25 minutes)

• Instructions (5 minutes): Ask students to create a poster that illustrates a solution to one environmental issue presented in the documentary.
• Poster Creation (20 minutes): Students work in pairs or individually to design their posters using the provided art supplies.

Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Final Reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their learning experience.
• Closing Thoughts: Wrap up the lesson by emphasizing the importance of active engagement in environmental issues.

Homework Assignment

• Reflective Essay: Assign a short essay where students express their thoughts on why environmental conservation is critical for their future. Include references to concepts discussed during the lesson.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions and activities.
• Group presentation on movie questions.
• Quality and creativity of the environmental poster.
• Completion of the reflective essay.

Note for Teachers: Encourage students to observe their local environment during the week and bring observations related to biodiversity to the next class. This will help foster ongoing engagement with the topic beyond just one lesson.