🗣️IB Insights: Mastering English B
Sharing the Planet - Materials and Resources
Hello friends,
Welcome back to another exciting installment on mastering the IBDP English B course! It's been some time since our last post, and I'm thrilled to reconnect with all of you as we dive into more enriching content. As our students gear up for their exams, I've been reflecting on the theme 'Sharing the Planet'—a unit that resonates deeply in today's educational landscape. I've compiled a range of resources and topics that have proven highly effective in engaging my students. As always, I'm pleased to offer these materials for free. All I ask in return is that if you find them useful, please share my work with others and tag your applications of these resources on social media using (@matttfletcher). Let's continue to learn and grow together!
In our interconnected world, the theme 'Sharing the Planet' encourages students to explore the intricate and often delicate interactions between human societies and the Earth's ecosystems. This theme is particularly relevant in today's context, where environmental sustainability and conservation are pressing global issues. It provides a vast scope for inquiry and discussion, making it an ideal topic for developing critical thinking and responsible citizenship among students. The aim is to inspire students to think globally and act locally, recognizing their individual and collective responsibilities towards maintaining the planet's health and diversity.
Here are some potential topics that could be covered under this theme:
Global Warming and Climate Change: Understanding the science behind climate change, its global impact, and personal responsibility.
Sustainable Agriculture: Exploring practices that minimize environmental impact and ensure food security.
Diet and the Environment: Investigating how dietary choices affect the planet, including studies on veganism, vegetarianism, and meat consumption.
Biodiversity Conservation: Examining the importance of diverse species and ecosystems for planetary health.
Water Resources Management: Discussing the challenges of water conservation and sustainable water use.
Pollution and Waste Management: Analyzing the impact of plastic waste and industrial pollutants on the environment.
Renewable Energy Sources: Evaluating the shift towards sustainable energy options like solar, wind, and hydro power.
Urban Planning and Green Spaces: Considering how urban design can contribute to environmental sustainability.
Environmental Ethics: Delving into the moral considerations of human interactions with the environment.
Impact of Technology on Nature: Assessing both the positive and negative influences of technological advancements on the natural world.
These topics not only enrich students' understanding of environmental issues but also provide ample opportunities for language practice through debates, essays, reports, and presentations.
"Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret"
A compelling entry point for discussing environmental responsibility is the 2014 documentary, "Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret." Directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, "Cowspiracy" explores the impact of animal agriculture on the environment. The film argues that livestock farming is one of the primary contributors to global warming, water depletion, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. It critically examines the policies of environmental organizations on this issue, making it an excellent resource for provoking thoughtful discussion among students about sustainability and ethical food choices.
Incorporating "Cowspiracy" into the Classroom
To enrich the learning experience, I recommend using a structured worksheet that guides students through three phases of engagement with the documentary:
Before Watching: Start with a pre-viewing task where students brainstorm what they already know about animal agriculture and its impacts on the environment. They could also pose questions they hope the documentary will answer, setting a purpose for their viewing.
During Watching: Provide a focused task sheet that encourages students to note down key facts, surprising statistics, and significant statements as they watch. This could include tracking mentions of specific environmental impacts or noting any discussed solutions to the problems presented.
After Watching: Post-viewing activities should encourage reflection and critical thinking. Students can discuss the documentary's message, analyze the effectiveness of the presented arguments, and debate the feasibility of the proposed solutions. A valuable task could be to have students research the responses of various environmental organizations to the film's claims, fostering skills in critical research and evaluation. For me, I utitilse the work of Alexis Wiggins and her approach of ‘spiderweb discussions’. I had the opportunity to interview Alexis about her approach through the inquiry teacher podcast. You can listen to that episode here to learn more about this wonderful discussion routine.
By integrating "Cowspiracy" into your lesson plan under the 'Sharing the Planet' theme, you not only enhance students' language skills but also deepen their understanding of global environmental issues. This approach not only aligns with the IB philosophy of fostering informed, globally-minded citizens but also equips students with the critical thinking skills necessary to tackle complex real-world problems.
I have put together a FREE download that you can use as a worksheet in your class to support the delivery of watching this documentary. Feel free to use this as you wish. Let me know how your students take to it in the comments!
Paper 1 Writing Practice
To conclude this mini-unit from 'Sharing the Planet,' I incorporate a practical writing activity that involves drafting a proposal. This exercise not only hones writing skills but also encourages students to think critically about implementing sustainable solutions. You can access this proposal template, along with various other text type templates that I have developed, by visiting my IB text types page.
For those preparing for exams, here are some example questions for both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) that can be used to simulate real exam conditions and practice effective response strategies:
HL
You recently researched about the impact of cattle farming on the planet and want to share your ideas to change the food offered in the school canteen. Write a text where you describe why it is you want to make the change, explain your suggestions for the new food programme, and how students will benefit from them.
SL
You recently researched about the impact of cattle farming on the planet and want to share your ideas to change the food offered in the school canteen. Write a text where you explain your suggestions for the new food programme, and how students will benefit from them.
Idiomatic Expressions and Useful Vocabulary
Here are some "Idiomatic Expressions and Useful Vocabulary" tailored to the theme of 'Sharing the Planet'. Mastering these expressions and vocabulary will not only enrich your student’s English communication skills but also enhance their ability to express complex environmental concepts with clarity and precision. This is essential for engaging effectively in discussions, writing insightful essays, and delivering persuasive presentations on sustainability and conservation. Below, you'll find a carefully curated list of idioms and key terms that are particularly relevant to the topics we've discussed, helping your students to articulate your thoughts on environmental issues more fluently and confidently.
Vocabulary:
Environmental: Relating to the natural world and surroundings.
Sustainability: The ability to maintain balance or endure.
Advocacy: Public support for a particular cause or policy.
Globalization: The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.
Climate Change: Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.
Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Ethical: Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.
Inequality: Lack of equality or disparity in opportunity, treatment, or access.
Advocacy Campaign: Organized effort to influence public opinion or policy.
Food Security: Access to a sufficient, safe, and nutritious food supply.
Renewable Energy: Energy from a source that is not depleted when used.
Consumerism: A preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.
Deforestation: The clearing, destroying, or removal of trees from a forest.
Pollution: The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
Idiomatic Expressions:
1. Bite the bullet: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and resilience.
Example: "We need to bite the bullet and start implementing more sustainable practices to protect our planet."
2. Break the ice: To initiate or facilitate social interaction in a situation where there may be tension or awkwardness.
Example: "He told a joke to break the ice and lighten the mood during the environmental conference."
3. Make waves: To cause a significant impact or disturbance, often in a social or political context.
Example: "The documentary made waves by exposing the environmental damage caused by industrial pollution."
4. Drop in the bucket: A small, insignificant amount compared to what is needed or required.
Example: "Recycling one plastic bottle is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans."
5. See eye to eye: To have the same opinion or perspective as someone else.
Example: "While we may have different approaches, we ultimately see eye to eye on the importance of conservation."
6. Go the extra mile: To make an additional effort or exert more energy beyond what is expected.
Example: "She always goes the extra mile to reduce her carbon footprint, even if it means inconvenience."
7. Plant seeds: To initiate or inspire ideas or actions that may develop and grow over time.
Example: "Their grassroots campaign aims to plant seeds of awareness about the importance of renewable energy."
8. Be on the same page: To have a shared understanding or agreement about something.
Example: "Before implementing any new policies, it's important for all stakeholders to be on the same page."
9. Pull your weight: To contribute your fair share of effort or work to a collective task or goal.
Example: "In order to achieve our conservation goals, everyone needs to pull their weight and reduce their ecological footprint."
10. Put your money where your mouth is: To take action to support one's beliefs or opinions, especially financially.
Example: "If we're serious about combating climate change, we need to put our money where our mouth is and invest in sustainable solutions."
Thank you for joining me in this exploration of 'Sharing the Planet'. If you found the content valuable, please consider sharing this post with your network to help spread these vital discussions. You can also stay connected and updated by following me on social media. I invite you to join the vibrant community of educators right here on Substack, where we exchange ideas and insights regularly.
I'm always eager to hear from you, so please drop a comment below if you'd like to see more posts like this under "IB Insights: Mastering English B". Let me know what topics you're interested in or any specific areas you'd like us to explore next.
Your support and engagement mean the world to me, and I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.
Matt Fletcher
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This is an outstanding resource you have shared here!