In order to encourage independent learning, critical and creative thinking, technological literacy, and development of personal and social values among students, it is best to look into the topics in which they can relate. Nowadays, with the alarming state of the environment, everyone is gearing towards green practices. Thus environment issues could be a timely, appealing subject to your students.

You may have your students present a report on any environmental issue that they are most concerned about. Here are some of the topics your students might find interesting to explore and investigate:

• Impact of lifestyle and diet to the environment
• Link between transportation and the environment
• Climate change and human behavior
• Wildlife and habitat conservation
• Ozone layer depletion and its consequences

If you wish to make learning more fun for your students, the following links will give you interesting ideas on environmental activities:

• Nature Spies. Plan for a field trip and have your students examine nature and record their observations. After the trip, ask them to discuss their observations in class.
• Endangered Species This activity aims to increase awareness of students on endangered species.
• Rain Forest In this exercise, your students will investigate the relationship between people, animals, and the rainforest.
• Investigating Environmental Legislation Make your students learn about environmental laws and policies for them to realize the impact of these laws on environment issues. With the recently concluded 2010 national elections, this is a great activity for students to serve as watchdogs of the new set of local and national leaders.
• The Great Search This activity will make the students learn about the amount of trash in their school grounds. Have them start a campaign that will encourage other students to reduce wastes through recycling. 
• Aquatic Wildlife and Pollution With this exercise, your students will discover the effects of plastic wastes on aquatic wildlife. You may arrange a field trip to marine biology museums or marine sanctuaries such as Apo Reef in Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental, and Apo Island in Negros Oriental. You may also opt to organize coastal resource management classes for your students.

Increase your students’ awareness on the worsening condition of the environment. Encourage them to get involved and be educated. With proper and ample information, your students can decide on their own the simple actions they can take to help save the environment.

Sources:

“Activity One.” Retrieved April 25, 2010 from
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/actss20/u3a01.html
“Environment lessons, worksheets and resources.” Retrieved April 25, 2010 from
http://www.instructorweb.com/resources/environment.asp