The World’s Greatest Lesson – Be the Change
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
This activity encourages students to creatively engage with real-world challenges by working independently to address all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through service learning, students will complete a booklet filled with tasks that contribute to global betterment.
This hands-on approach allows them to see the tangible impact of their efforts, fostering creativity and responsibility. By reflecting on their work and sharing it in the Upschool library, students connect their learning to meaningful service.
During this course, we are going to ask you to take on one of the world’s biggest challenges. We are going to ask you to try to work independently to achieve all 17 of the SDGs in one go.
There are many issues in the world that may seem beyond our control, but if we all work together and do the small things, then maybe the big things will be repaired.
The world has over 7 billion people, and alone we cannot save the planet, but together, by doing the small things, we can really make the world a safe place for everyone to live.
Watch the video opposite and learn more about the SDGs and why they are so important. Once complete, we then want you to take a look at your very own SDG booklet, which you will try to complete over the next few weeks.
The booklet is filled with amazing activities and tasks that will allow you to play your part in making the world a better place.
Once your booklet is finished and the real-world learning activities are done and dusted, we want you to reflect on your hard work and upload your booklet to the Upschool library for the whole world to read.
We will finish the course with a short quiz where you can show us your knowledge and collect your very own “Be the Change” Certificate.
So, let’s get started!
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/Vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will support you throughout this course. You might already be familiar with some of them, but practising will help you master them!
First, read through the words and try to define each one as clearly and simply as possible.
An example has been provided for you. You can write these definitions in your book and draw a picture to match, or you can simply complete the task card.
The ‘Be the Change’ Booklet
This activity encourages teachers to model the behaviour they wish to see in their students by carefully reviewing a completed “Be the Change” booklet. By thoroughly examining the example, teachers demonstrate the importance of attention to detail and thoughtful engagement with the content.
This sets a standard for students as they create their personalised booklets, fostering creativity and responsibility while aligning with the SDGs. Teachers guide students to personalise their work, encouraging individual expression and ownership.
Opposite, you’ll find an example of a completed “Be the Change” booklet.
The booklet has 26 pages, with each page linked to a different SDG. Your job is to take a look at my example. Once you’ve seen all the pages and understood the kinds of things you’ll be doing, you can move to the next section where you’ll download your personal copy and start saving the planet by working through the goals.
Inside the booklet, you’ll find many cool activities, such as designing posters, making products, and even collecting rainwater to use in at least 10 different ways.
Make sure you read my example carefully before moving to the next section. And remember, just because my booklet looks a certain way, doesn’t mean yours needs to look like mine! You can personalise it in any way you choose.
Very Important - The Safe Zone!
It is absolutely crucial that your children watch the video opposite to ensure that all of their work and creativity is captured inside their booklet.
The video explains how your children can turn on a simple feature within their design to make sure all of their creativity is kept inside the safe zone, ready for upload and print.
Once your booklet is uploaded to the library and your parents or family want to order a copy, it will need to be printed.
During the printing process, anything outside the safe zone might get cut off.
Watch the video opposite, which shows you exactly where the safe zone is and how to include it in your booklet design.
Remember to keep anything important inside the safe zone to make sure it doesn’t get cut off during printing.
17 SDGs in 6 Weeks - Can You Do It?
This activity empowers students to take ownership of their learning by working independently through a blank booklet, which they will fill with evidence of their achievements. They can choose the order in which to complete the 17 challenges, fostering creativity and personal agency.
While collaboration is encouraged, each student is responsible for their own booklet, which they will upload to the Upschool library. This approach nurtures independence, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment.
You’re about to receive your very own booklet, but all the fields are blank. Your job is to work through the booklet, read the challenges, and start filling it in with evidence of your achievements.
The booklet involves graphic design, branding, real-world learning and reflection and it is all evidence that you are working hard to save the world.
You can complete the challenges in any order you like, but you have 6 weeks to try and complete all 17 pages. You can work in pairs or groups on the activities, but remember, each of you must fill in your own booklet.
Once finished, you’ll upload your booklet into the Upschool library as proof of your hard work but we will come to that later.
Choosing Your Charity! - Be the Change
During this part of the course, guide students to independently choose a charity to support with their book sales. Provide the task card, direct them to the link for research, and empower them to make an informed, personal choice reflecting their values and the impact they wish to have.
As your booklet is about to go live in the Upschool library, remember that every time someone orders a copy, the profits will go to charity.
Now it’s time for you to make an important decision using the task card provided. Check out the link below to explore the incredible work our charity partners are doing around the world.
You’re not just a creator; you’re a change-maker. The decision you make this week will kickstart your journey in making a difference.
Investigate the charities, understand their projects, and use the task card to decide which one you’d like to support.
Ready to make a choice that counts? Let’s do it this week!
Completing the Course and Receiving Your Certificate
To receive their certificate, your children will need to complete a simple quiz about the SDGs and share a link to their completed booklet with the Upschool team. Please ask them to click the button below to complete the “Be the Change” SDG course.
You’ve worked so hard, and we are so proud of you! But before we let you go and relax after all your efforts in creating change in the world, we have one final challenge for you.
Click the button to take on your last challenge, and once you’ve completed it, you’ll receive your very own Changemaker’s Certificate.
Well done!
How to Download Your Book as PDF
Next, the children will be uploading their books to the Upschool library; therefore, it’s crucial they can download their book as a PDF prior to uploading.
Read through the task card with the children, explaining each step to ensure everyone has a high-quality version of their book ready for upload in the next step of the publishing process.
During the book upload process, you will be asked to upload your book in PDF format.
Refer to the task card provided, which will guide you on how to download your book from Canva, preparing it for upload to the Upschool library.
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Uploading Your Book to the Upschool Library
This activity culminates in students uploading their completed “Be the Change” booklets to the Upschool Library, where their work is preserved and shared. Teachers should guide students through this process, emphasising the significance of their efforts.
Once uploaded, students can share the link with parents to showcase their hard work or even order a physical copy. Profits from any orders go directly to the charity the student chose, reinforcing the impact of their work. Encourage students to share their booklet with family and friends, highlighting how they’re making a real difference in the world
Now that you have completed all 17 SDGs in your ‘Be the Change’ Booklet, it’s time to upload your book to the Upschool Library.
This is where you can store all your booklets, and once they’re there, you can share the link with your parents to show them how hard you’ve worked, or even order a copy to be sent to your home.
Remember, when someone orders a copy of your SDG booklet, the profits go directly to the charity you chose. So, make sure you share the link to your booklet with all your family and friends.
Well done—you’re changing the world in more ways than one!
