Spanish Lesson: Cambio Climático y el Buen Vivir
Lesson Plan
2 hoursGrades9, 10, 11, 12Spanish
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Written by Liz Ransom
About this lesson
In this lesson, students identify the causes and consequences of climate change, explore the Indigenous cosmovision of El Buen Vivir, and reflect on the values needed to live within the ecological limits of the planet.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students brainstorm what it means to “live well” from different perspectives.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students watch a video, participate in a collaborative activity to explore the causes and consequences of climate change, and reflect on how climate change interferes with living well.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students learn about the Indigenous cosmovision of El Buen Vivir and identify values in their own culture that can help address climate change.
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Positives
- This lesson integrates interpersonal and presentational speaking skills with listening and reading activities from authentic Spanish-language sources.
- Students make interdisciplinary connections to science and global challenges.
- Students explore the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Latin America and are exposed to women who are Indigenous leaders.
- Many activities are student-led and reinforce new vocabulary in multi-modal ways.
- Answer keys are provided for the listening activities.
- The teacher can leave the posters or artwork visible in the classroom to refer back to when discussing values related to other topics or units later in the year.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have a minimum of novice-high proficiency to complete the activities in this lesson.
- Students should have a basic understanding of some natural cycles of the Earth in order to complete the activity in the Investigate section without teacher support.
Differentiation
- Teachers can divide this lesson into two or more class periods as needed. For example, students can complete the Inquire and Investigate sections in one class period, complete the reading and video comprehension activities for homework, then complete the Inspire section in a second class period.
- Teachers can extend the Inspire section to two class periods to accommodate in-class presentations or ask students to record their presentations for homework.
From the scientist review
The lesson highlights the importance of protecting nature and recognizes the role played by Indigenous Peoples in protecting biodiversity and living well with nature. Students will find this lesson promising and insightful as it prepares them to be environmental stewards. All the materials are credible, and this lesson is recommended for teaching.
La lección destaca la importancia de proteger la naturaleza y reconoce el papel que juegan los pueblos indígenas en la protección de la biodiversidad y vivir bien con la naturaleza. Los estudiantes encontrarán esta lección prometedora y perspicaz, ya que los prepara para ser administradores ambientales. Todos los materiales tienen buenas fuentes y esta lección se recomienda para la enseñanza.
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About the teacher writer
Liz Ransom
High School Teacher
As a High School Spanish teacher and student newspaper advisor, Liz has taught for over 20 years and has served as World Languages Department Chair and K-6 summer camp activities leader. She has worked in Ohio, Maine, New Jersey, Maryland, and Chile.
