Section outline

  • Description:
    In this module, you will use learnings and strategies from the previous four modules to create a lesson or program plan to investigate a controversial environmental issue and/or topic with your learners.

    Objectives:
    After completing this module, you should be able to:
    • Generate a plan for investigating a controversial environmental issue and/or topic with learners. 

    Estimated Time for Completion:
    2 hours

    Benchmark Assessment    :
    • Completed lesson and/or program plan describing how you will investigate a controversial environmental issue and/or topic with learners, AND 
    • Completed Module 5 Course Journal 
    • View Scoring Guide >>

    Module 5 Tasks:

    • Students must
      Mark as done
      Culminating Assignment: Designing a Lesson and/or Program

      Although you may be exploring environmental issues in many subject areas and/or programs, the Social Studies based Inquiry Design Model provides a helpful structure for planning to explore issues with learners. The Inquiry Design Model (IDM) is a distinctive approach to creating curriculum and instructional materials that honors educators’ knowledge and expertise, avoids overprescription, and focuses on the main elements of the instructional design process as envisioned in the Inquiry Arc of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards (2013).

      TASK 1: Read the Inquiry Design Model at a Glance from C3teachers.org.

      OPTIONAL: Learn more about the Inquiry Design Model.

      TASK 2: Create a lesson, unit, or program plan using the Inquiry Design Model Template or another lesson and/or program template that you use at your school or organization. Lesson plans and/or program outlines should include the following, regardless of the template:

      • The Environmental Problem, issue, and/or topic you wish to investigate with learners framed as a question.
      • Description of Activities to help students practice skills in the 5 Step Process to Investigating Issues.
      • Description of Standards Addressed from Applicable subject. If Standards are not relevant to your program, use the K-12 Environmental Education: Guidelines for Excellence.
      • Description of how you will assess student learning.
      • Inclusion of at least 3 sources your students will explore.


      TASK 3: In your course journal, answer the following questions:

      • Why did you select this particular issue and/or topic to explore? Why is this issue or topic important to your learners?
      • How can you incorporate student voice into your lesson and/or program plan?
      • Who would you need to communicate with to ensure the exploration of this environmental issue and/or topic goes smoothly?
      • Is this an environmental issue and/or topic where you would share your personal view with students?
      • How else will you incorporate tools and/or strategies you have practiced and/or strengthened during this eeCourse into your instruction?
      • How will this lesson and/or program help meet educational and/or organizational goals?
      • What questions do you still have about exploring controversial environmental issues and topics with students? How will you continue your learning?
    • Submit Lesson/Program Plan Assignment
      Opened: Thursday, 9 November 2023, 2:00 AM
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Please upload or share a link to your completed Lesson/Program Plan. You may use the Inquiry Design Model Template or another format but make sure that it includes all of the elements referenced above.

    • Submit Module 5 Course Journal Assignment
      Opened: Thursday, 9 November 2023, 2:00 AM
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Submit your complete Module 5 Course Journal.

      • View scoring guide>>
      • You may upload a Word document or submit a link to a Google Doc. If you submit a link to a Google Doc, adjust the sharing settings so that it can be viewed by anyone with the link. Click the blue Share button in the top right. A new box will open, under Get Link, select 'Anyone with the link'.


    • Course Evaluation Assignment
      Opened: Thursday, 9 November 2023, 2:00 AM
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Your final assignment for this course is to submit a Course Evaluation. 

      After completing the evaluation and checking the completion box, you will be able to download/print a certificate of completion for your records.  The certificate will not appear until all activities and assignments are marked complete and have a passing grade.