Caring for Our Earth

Lesson Overview

Unit: Mindful Movers: Earth Heroes
Lesson: 3 of 4
Year Group: Kindergarten (Early Years Foundation Stage – EYFS)
Subject: Physical Education (PE)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 16 students

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the EYFS Physical Development (PD) and Understanding the World (UW) areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in England.

• Physical Development – Moving and Handling: Children will develop coordination, balance, and movement skills through active play.
• Understanding the World – The World: Children will explore the impact of litter and learn about social responsibility in caring for our planet.
• Personal, Social & Emotional Development (PSED) – Managing Feelings & Behaviour: Children will work together and take responsibility for keeping their environment clean.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand that litter harms the environment and animals.
2. Develop movement skills such as bending, reaching, balancing, and coordination through a fun physical activity.
3. Demonstrate teamwork and responsibility in keeping spaces clean.

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Resources & Equipment

• Small beanbags or softballs (representing litter)
• Hula hoops (representing recycling bins)
• Cones to mark space boundaries
• Music for movement transitions
• A soft puppet or toy (to represent an animal affected by litter)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Discussion (5 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle and introduce “Eco the Owl” (a soft puppet).
• Explain that Eco is sad because people are dropping litter, making animals sick and the earth dirty.
• Ask: "What happens if we throw rubbish on the ground?" "How can we help?"
• Use simple language: “When we see litter, we can pick it up and put it where it belongs.”
• Demonstrate safe bending and reaching movements for picking up litter.

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2. Warm-Up: Move Like Nature (5 minutes)

• Guide students to move like different elements of nature while warming up:
  • Wind: Sway side to side with arms flowing.
  • Raindrops: Hop lightly on toes.
  • Trees: Stretch tall and balance on one foot.
  • Birds: Flap arms and tiptoe around.

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3. Main Activity: Litter Sweep Challenge (15 minutes)

Setup:

• Spread beanbags/softballs ("litter") around the space.
• Place hula hoops ("recycling bins") in different corners.
• Divide children into two teams (Team Green & Team Blue).

Game Rules:

1. Run & Pick: Students move around safely, bending, reaching, and balancing to pick up "litter" one piece at a time.
2. Sort & Recycle: They run to place the litter into the correct hoop (any hoop works to reinforce the idea of disposing of litter properly).
3. Teamwork Challenge: Can all the litter be cleared before the music stops?
4. Variation: If confident, introduce different types of litter (paper, plastic, metal) and assign specific hoops for sorting.

💡 Encourage safe movements: bending knees, keeping heads up, and watching their space.

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4. Cool Down: Breathing & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Gather in a circle. Encourage calm deep breaths as students pretend to breathe in fresh air and blow out pollution.
• Ask:
  • “How did it feel to clean up our space?”
  • “What can we do every day to help our world?”
• Conclude by making an “Earth Promise” together:
  • “We will keep our world clean. We will take care of nature.”

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment Opportunities

• Observe movement skills (bending, reaching, balancing).
• Listen to student responses in discussion.
• Notice teamwork and participation in the challenge.

Differentiation Strategies

• Support for Less Confident Movers: Use fewer beanbags or encourage them to pick up closer ones.
• Challenge for More Active Students: Introduce running patterns (e.g., hopping to collect litter).

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Teacher Reflection After Lesson

• Were students engaged in the environmental discussion?
• Did they demonstrate correct movement techniques?
• How well did they work together?

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Extension Ideas

• Outdoor Connection: Take students outside for a litter-picking walk in the school grounds.
• Creative Art Link: Create a class poster on "Ways We Can Help the Earth."

🌍 Key Message: Small actions make a big difference!