WHAT IS IT: 3 Lessons on sustainability through video and student creation
FOR STUDENTS: 3rd – 5th Graders
WHAT YOU LEARN: Writing, Researching, Presentation, Sustainability, Urban Development

Did you know young students can be city planners? It’s true! If you’re a teacher or a parent, you can help young learners build an exciting city thriving with green spaces and sustainable practices.

With new “Public Spaces” lessons from the Achievery, third- through fifth-grade students learn how to create and support green cities. Get ready for students to become urban planners of the future through engaging lessons and activities.

What’s the Achievery? The Achievery is a free online learning platform created by AT&T. The Achievery includes lessons and videos from Urban Arts, Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, Girls Who Code, Scratch, ISTE and more, and you can discover over 700 video lessons and worksheets aligned to nationally-recognized academic standards. All lessons are reviewed by curriculum experts to be age-appropriate for K-12 students, and there are lessons in ELA, Coding, Digital Arts, Technology, Math & Science.

For those eager to make a difference in their communities, the “Public Spaces” lessons on the Achievery help students understand what makes a city green and how these characteristics can be implemented. Developed by EcoRise, a leading organization in environmental education, these lessons guide students through the process of envisioning, analyzing, and advocating for green city designs. Let’s check out three fun lessons that you and your students can explore!

“Public Spaces” Lesson 1: Dream Green City

In this lesson, students learn all about sustainable urban design features with a video—before envisioning their dream green city. They identify key characteristics such as green building design, efficient water systems, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. Then, they write a fictional story about a day in the life of their dream green city. This exercise encourages them to think creatively about how these features contribute to a sustainable and vibrant city environment.

“Public Spaces” Lesson 2: My City

Green cities aren’t just for the future; this lesson lets students analyze their own cities through the lens of green city characteristics. Students learn about those characteristics and also get to practice research and writing, compiling their findings into an informational essay and arguing whether their city can be considered green. This activity enhances their research skills and deepens their understanding of local sustainability practices.

“Public Spaces” Lesson 3: Green City Design

For the final lesson, students learn about the sustainable practices and the benefits of green city design. Armed with this knowledge, students create a brochure to educate their community about green city characteristics. They use text features like images, headings, and graphs to present their information in a clear and engaging way. This hands-on project not only teaches them about sustainable urban planning but also empowers them to become advocates for green city design.

Imagine a world where every city is not only a hub of activity but also a beacon of sustainability. Through The Achievery’s Public Spaces lessons, elementary school students are not just imagining this world—they’re building it.

With enhanced skills in writing, researching, and public speaking, students are ready to advocate for and design the green cities of tomorrow.

For more fun, easy lessons, check out the FREE digital learning platform The Achievery!

—Matthew Taylor, Professional Learning Specialist, Urban Arts

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