The following are some quizzes that you can try with your classes around Earth Day time (April 22nd). You may use them all or choose to do one or two. The quizzes focus on individual actions that students can do to save the earth. They are fairly self-explanatory, but look below for additional information.
Worksheets:
Bring in examples of each item in a large garbage bag to help students understand the vocabulary. As students check the answers, talk about where it is possible to recycle in your town or city.
Have a short class discussion about good traditional practices in Japan. For example, bring in a furoshiki — a cloth used to wrap presents, a reusable bento box, hashi in a box, etc. What else can your class think of? Then show your class some waribashi and ask them why these aren't good for the environment. Compare them to the hashi.
Move onto the quiz. In small groups, students guess the answers.
Answers: 1. C, 2. A, 3. B, 4. B, 5. C.
At the end of the lesson, each student decorates and fills out a card with one promise based on an action from the "Do you help Mother Earth" Quiz. They must sign it and then show it to their teacher and ALT to sign. Display the cards outside your classroom. Go back to the promise cards a few months later and check to see if students have kept their promises!
Contributed by Anne Thompson ALT.