Make Smaller Ecological Footprints!
Grade: 7
Subject: Science
Unit: Unit A – Interactions and Ecosystems
Lesson Length: 60 minutes
Key Concept: I can identify ways to reduce my ecological footprint.
Objectives:
Students will…
1. Investigate and describe relationships between humans and their environments, and
identify related issues and scientific questions
Pre-Planning:
White Board
White Board markers
Magazines
Poster Paper
Materials:
Scissors
Glue
Markers or pencil crayons
Anticipatory Set: (5 minutes)
1. On the board, draw a large circle to represent the Earth, and a giant footprint in
the middle. Write “Ecological Footprint” in the foot.
2. Ask students if they know what an ecological footprint refers to. Record student
ideas and prior understandings in branches from the circle.
Procedure: (50 minutes)
1. Define the term “Ecological Footprint” for the students. Write the definition on
the board.
Ecological Footprint – the food, water, and space that a living thing needs to
grow and survive in an ecosystem.
2. Explain that every living thing on Earth has a “footprint”. Big things have larger
footprints than little things. For example, a big tree needs more things to survive
than a small flower.
3. Discuss the ecological footprints of humans. What kinds of things would affect
the size of our ecological footprint? (driving cars, heating our homes, using
electricity, etc).
4. Ask the class whether or not they think the ecological footprint of humans could
be smaller. How? Ask the students to list ways that they could reduce their own
ecological footprints. Encourage students to be specific. Record the class’ answers
on the board.
Some examples include:
-recycle paper and containers
-having a shower instead of a bath
-pick up litter
-turn off the lights to save energy
-walk, ride your bike, carpool or take the bus to school
-bring reusable bags to the grocery store
-next year for Halloween, DIY costumes – scope out the thrift store or garage
sales
-compost raked up leaves or your pumpkins from Halloween
5. Ask students to make collages that will raise awareness about reducing your
ecological footprint. These posters will teach others how humans can make
smaller footprints and how we can stop overusing our environment. Tell students
that they must have at least 5 ways to make smaller footprints, on their poster.
Note: by using old magazines for pictures, we are reusing and this is a small way
to start reducing our ecological footprint!
6. Distribute magazines and poster paper. If students do not have scissors and glue,
place this at the front of the room for use as well. If you have made an example of
a collage, display this for the students.
7. When students finish their posters, hang them up around the school to raise
awareness. To continue the engagement of this activity, you could have a student
share an environmental tip on the announcements every morning.
Closure: (5 minutes)
Have volunteers share their ideas of how to reduce one’s ecological footprint. Ask the
students, what we could do as a class to lower our ecological footprint at school. Collect
posters.
Evaluation:
Use a checklist to ensure students have identified at least 5 different ways that a person
could lower his/her ecological footprint.
Resource:
Wagner, Angela. “Ecology & the Environment”. Classroom Complete Press, 2007.