Lesson 1 – Introduction to Sustainability
This is the first lesson plan in a four-part “Introduction to Sustainability” series created by the National FFA Organization. Students discover the core principles of sustainability, define key sustainability vocabulary terms, and explore sustainable practices used by individuals and companies through videos, a comic-creation activity, and real-life research. The resource includes student activity sheets and answer keys for “What Is Sustainability?”, “Sustainability One-Shots,” and “Real-Life Sustainability.”
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Explain the core principles of sustainability.
- Define key terms related to sustainability.
- Explore actions that individuals and companies are taking to live and work more sustainably.
- Time required
- 75-80 minutes
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "What Is Sustainability?" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Sustainability One-Shots" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Real-Life Sustainability" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the videos in real time or embed them in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Student devices with internet access
- Vocabulary
- Biomass; Byproduct; Carbon Footprint; Circular Economy; Climate Change; Conservation; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Economy; Ecosystem; Environment; Equity; Greenwashing; Natural Resources; Net Zero; Preservation; Recycle; Supply Chain; Sustainability; Zero Waste
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Social Studies: Students will evaluate how personal and business practices fit into the framework of sustainability. English/Language Arts: Students will define key terms related to sustainability in their own words and create a visual representation for some of the terms.
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Environmental Literacy; Global Awareness; Information, Communications, and Technology Literacy; Think Creatively
- Virtual Instruction Ideas
- Students can be grouped virtually to complete these activities, or this could be individually assigned by posting the activity sheets to your school's learning management system. For Activity 2, use Storyboard That or Make Beliefs Comics websites for students to create their comics online and paste them into the worksheet document.
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Worksheet
Non Designed_Student Activity Sheets_Lesson 1 – Introduction to Sustainability (DOCX)
Student Activity Sheets_Lesson 1 – Introduction to Sustainability (DOCX)
Student Activity Sheets_Lesson 1 – Introduction to Sustainability (PDF)
Other
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.03Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety and environmental management systems in AFNR workplaces.
- CS.04Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
- CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Common Career Technical Core
Common Core – Reading in Science and Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9.10.4Determinar el significado de símbolos, términos clave y otras palabras y frases de dominio específico según se usan en un contexto científico o técnico específico correspondiente a los textos y temas de los grados 9-10.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
FFA Precept
Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 2Analyze community practice or policy development related to sustainability in AFNR.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 3Communicate the impact of green and sustainability principles on agriculture, food and natural resource systems.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 6Use green technologies and sustainability practices to maintain safe and healthful working environments that sustain the natural environment and promote well-being in the AFNR workplaces.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 7Demonstrate an understanding of green and sustainability trends that are impacting processes and markets in AFNR.
Next Generation Science
- HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.