Lesson one - Georges Riverkeepers

Lesson one - Georges Riverkeepers

Activity 1

• Conduct a classroom discussion to connect learning with the following terms - creek, river, keeper, riverkeeper, waterway, ocean, Georges River, Botany Bay, Pacific Ocean. Use talk routines such as Think-pair-share and create a word wall with tier 2 and 3 language.
• View the video Zero Litter in the Georges River (1:23min) on YouTube 
• Define the word litter. Discuss what makes litter, litter. For example is a tiny teddies packet litter? When does it become litter?
• As a class, discuss Zero the turtle as a character. How does Zero and the images and language used in the video present an opinion and invite an emotional response on litter in the river?  Add words to the word wall and consider how the use of words support persuasive arguments.
• Students complete a writing task using the following sentence starters:
  • When litter gets in the river...
  • A riverkeeper is...

Activity 2

• View the video Rain, drains and the Georges River - Zero Litter in Georges River (2:04min) on YouTube 
• As a class, create a character based on a piece of litter. For example a tiny teddy. Map or role play its journey from school lunch box to ocean. Who will the tiny teddy meet? Who will it harm along the journey?
• Are we part of the problem? Conduct a stormwater audit to identify where litter and other pollutants such as dirt or leaves enter stormwater drains. Access the Sydney Water Stormwater Audit to support this activity.