Rewild Your World
Week 1 - Who Was Dr. Jane Goodall?
.png)
Who Was Jane Goodall?
Play the introductory video for the class to set the intentions for this week's lessons.
Later we will watch a video about the life and work of Dr Jane Goodall. Consider watching it twice — once to enjoy and once to notice key details. After viewing, ask the children what they found most interesting and what they learned.
Encourage open discussion, allowing every voice to be heard. Encourage students to analyse and reflect by asking questions such as “What key qualities did Jane demonstrate? What challenges might she have faced, and how did she respond? What message can we take from her story for our own lives or communities?
Look for curiosity, active listening, and respectful sharing. Observe how students recall information, make connections, and begin to see themselves as changemakers through Jane’s story.
Welcome to Rewild Your World! In partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, we’ll explore how people, animals, plants and environments are all connected – and how our choices can make Earth a healthier, kinder home for every living thing.
We’ll begin by watching an introductory video where Gavin and Abbie will highlight what we will be learning about this week.
Later we will discover what it means to be a true changemaker – someone who uses knowledge, empathy and action to make a difference - when we watch an inspiring video about the life and work of Dr Jane Goodall. We will also explore key STEM vocabulary to strengthen your understanding of the scientific, design and digital ideas behind this unit.
Inspired by one of Dr Goodall’s famous quotes, we’ll reflect on how small actions can create big change, before you each design your own project to share her message of hope – whether that’s teaching another class, creating a poster, or leading an awareness campaign.
Finally, we’ll complete a creative art reflection and add the first page to your digital résumé – the start of your 10-week journey as a changemaker.
This is the start of a truly exciting journey where we’ll learn to think like scientists, design like engineers, and act as responsible, empathetic global citizens. We’re delighted to have you on board.
Your Weekly Keywords
Each week, students will explore ten key words that connect directly to the learning journey they are about to begin. These words act as tools for thinking and communicating, helping students describe techniques, express ideas and develop a shared language of learning.
Each week, you will receive ten important words that link directly to the journey we are about to undertake. These words are used throughout the program.
Begin by looking carefully at the task card.
With a partner, try to explain each word in the simplest way you can. Do this first without a dictionary – the skill of forming definitions together takes time, patience, and practice.
Once you have finished, share your ideas with another pair. Compare your explanations. You may discover that your meanings are similar or that someone has found a new and creative way to describe the same word.
.png)
Quote of the Week – Dr Jane Goodall
Read the quote aloud and give students time to reflect. Ask them to consider how small actions can create big change, then encourage partner discussions about one difference they could make this week. Support them in making connections between Jane’s words and their own lives.
Guide the creation of quote cards, highlighting creativity and personal expression. Observe empathy, environmental awareness, reflective thinking, and the ability to translate inspiration into practical, positive action.Prompt critical thinking by posing questions such as ‘Who has the power to make change? In a school? In your neighbourhood? In the world?
This week’s quote comes from Dr Jane Goodall, a scientist, conservationist and changemaker who has dedicated her life to understanding animals and protecting the natural world:
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Think about what Dr Goodall’s words mean. How can even small actions like planting a tree, caring for an animal, reducing waste, or reusing materials help make our world a healthier and more sustainable place?
Talk with a partner about one small difference you could make this week at school, at home, or in your local community. Remember: every positive choice helps protect nature and supports all living things. Change is not about power, it is about action.
Then, use the quote card template link and choose another quote from Dr Jane that inspires you to add to the card or create your own representing your intention to look after nature.
.png)
Story of the Week - Jane’s Chimp Corridor
Encourage students to read the story with a partner to build fluency, confidence, and shared understanding. Model expressive reading and discussing key vocabulary such as rewilding and corridor. Allow space for independent thinking by letting students form their own opinions about why the story matters.
Support reflective talk rather than giving answers. This activity develops literacy, listening, and independent interpretation while inspiring empathy and awareness for people, animals, and the natural world. Regroup as a class and ask students, why is this story important beyond Jane Goodall’s personal journey and how is it relevant to environmental issues today?
Today you’re going to read a really inspiring story about Jane Goodall and her dream to help chimpanzees by reconnecting their forests. This is also the first of many examples of adopting a champion animal and rewilding their environment that we will look at during this course.
This is a story about caring for nature, taking positive action and collaborating to make a big difference, not only for the chimps but for the other animals, local people, and our shared environment. A story about caring for nature, believing in change, and showing that one person can inspire others to make a big difference.
Find a partner and read the story together. Take turns reading aloud and talk about what it means. Why did Jane want to help the chimps? What is rewilding? How can people and nature work together?
Later tonight, tell your family about what you learned. Share Jane’s story and explain why it inspired you. When you talk about it, you’ll help others see how we can all care for our planet, just like Jane did.
Watch – More About Dr Jane Goodall
This video is intended to support children in understanding how early interests and curiosity can shape a life’s journey. Before watching, invite children to share something they love or feel curious about, helping them make a personal connection to Dr Jane’s story.
Encourage attentive, relaxed viewing rather than note taking. The focus is on emotional connection, inspiration and noticing patterns in her life, especially how her childhood interests grew over time.
After the video, allow space for open discussion. Prompt children to reflect on what stood out to them, how Dr Jane followed her passion, and how kindness, patience and perseverance helped her make a difference.
Avoid steering the conversation toward right or wrong answers. Instead, listen for children’s ideas about purpose, caring for the world and following what feels meaningful, reinforcing the idea that their own interests and values matter.
Before we answer a few questions about the life of Dr Jane Goodall, let’s learn more about her very special journey.
Watch the video to discover more about her amazing life. As you watch, pay close attention to her journey and notice how a small spark of inspiration in her childhood shaped the path she followed all the way into adulthood.
Think about how Dr Jane followed her dreams, discovered her passion, and chose to do what felt right while making the world a better place.
Enjoy watching and let her story inspire you.
Comprehension – Who was Jane Goodall?
After reading, invite students to reflect on what they’ve learnt by summarising the main ideas in their own words. Model how to identify the most important information and explain it clearly, focusing on accuracy and understanding rather than repetition.
This week, you will read a book and an information sheet about Dr Jane Goodall. As you read, look for the most important events in her life, her discoveries about chimpanzees and how she continues to work to protect nature and living systems (environments).
Take note of all of the key information you have learned, as you will be using it later to answer a series of questions about Jane’s life!
Write Your Answers Here - See How Far You Can Get?
Explain that there are 12 questions across Levels 1–4; pupils answer in order, using full sentences and evidence from the texts. Model one think-aloud response, then set a timed independent phase with permission to re-read.
Encourage underlining/annotating and using sentence starters. When finished, pupils mark the highest level reached and identify a next step. Observe comprehension, retrieval, inference, use of evidence, written clarity, perseverance, self-assessment, and willingness to seek clarification.
After reading the book and information sheet about Dr Jane Goodall, you will complete a set of 12 comprehension questions. The questions begin at Level 1 (easier) and move up to Level 4 (more challenging).
Write your answers in full sentences, using information and evidence from the text to support your ideas. Work through the questions in order and see how far you can go.
If you reach a question you find difficult, pause there — this helps you see what you already know and what you’re ready to learn next.
.png)
Make a Resource - Add Value to the World
This task is designed to give children choice, ownership and creative freedom. Invite them to reflect on what stood out most about Dr Jane Goodall and how they would like to share that learning.
Children may work independently or collaboratively, depending on age and context. The focus is not on producing a perfect resource, but on expressing understanding in a meaningful way. Encourage children to choose a format they genuinely enjoy, as this supports intrinsic motivation and deeper engagement.
Allow time for discussion, sketching ideas, and gentle guidance where needed.
Observe how children plan, problem solve and communicate their ideas, as these moments are just as valuable as the final resource.
Now that you have learned about Dr Jane Goodall, it is time to create a resource about her life. This could be a poster, a short video, a presentation, or something else creative that feels right for you.
There are 12 different ways you might choose to represent what you have learned. Some ideas involve art, some involve writing, and others let you show your thinking in creative ways. You can also design your own idea if you feel inspired.
Choose something you enjoy, because this is the resource you will create and be proud of.
.png)
Spin the Wheel – Make a Difference
This stage connects learning to real world impact. The Wheel of Difference introduces purpose by helping children decide how their work can be shared to benefit others.
Encourage discussion after spinning the wheel. Ask children how sharing their resource might help people, animals or the environment. If a child feels uncomfortable with the first option, allow them to spin again, ensuring the experience remains empowering rather than performative.
Support children in safely and respectfully sharing their work, whether within the school or beyond it. Emphasise that even small acts of sharing can create meaningful change, reinforcing the idea that children are capable of contributing positively to the world.
Once your resource is finished, it is time to spin the Wheel of Difference.
On the wheel are 17 different ways your resource can help make the world a better place. You might share your work with another class, display it in a local library, or send it to a wildlife or conservation group.
The wheel will decide how your creation spreads its message. You can spin the wheel as many times as you like until you find a way that feels right for you.
Remember, when you share your learning with purpose and care, your work can inspire others, just like Dr Jane Goodall has inspired people all around the world.
Weekly Mindfulness – The Art of Nature: Time to Reflect
Encourage students to take their task card and head outside for this mindfulness activity. It could be in the school playground, garden, or any nearby green space. The aim is for them to quietly observe nature and sketch what they see, perhaps an ant walking along a branch, a leaf moving in the wind, or the texture of tree bark.
This is their time to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the natural world. Avoid over-directing; simply encourage quiet observation and gentle reflection.As students work, look for signs of mindfulness — patience, focus, creativity, and calm engagement with their surroundings. The goal is to help them build awareness, connection, and a sense of peace through nature.
Provide opportunity for secondary students to reflect on their role, evaluating how humans interact with and impact environments (local/global). Students record a short written/digital reflection, for example, that links mindfulness to topics such as ethics, sustainability and personal wellbeing.
This week, we invite you to step outside and spend some quiet time in nature. It might be your school playground, your garden, or even a small park nearby.
Take your sketchbook or the task card opposite and look closely at the world around you. Notice the tiny details — maybe an ant walking along a branch, a leaf spinning in the breeze, or the pattern of bark on a tree. Try to draw what you see and write a few short words to help describe it. You might also feel inspired to write a poem about your observations or feelings in nature.
As you sketch, listen to the sounds of nature - bird song, the wind in the trees, leaves underfoot. Let your thoughts slow down and allow yourself to simply be in the moment.
You’ve worked hard this week. This is your chance to pause, breathe, and reflect on everything you’ve achieved while feeling connected to the world around you.
Your Digital Résumé - Cover Page and Experience #1
Introduce the digital résumé as a personal portfolio that will grow each week. Guide students in creating a cover page that reflects their interests, skills, and personality as well as their future aspirations. Support students to identify and understand soft skills that are transferable (such as teamwork, communication, empathy, problem solving).
They will also add experience number 1 as shown in the example attached. Encourage creative design while keeping the layout clear and meaningful.
Offer examples but allow individuality to shine. Observe self-expression, creativity, and digital literacy. Look for confidence in sharing personal identity, thoughtful choices in design, and pride in starting a record of their journey and achievements.
During this course, you will create your very own digital résumé — a personal portfolio where you can collect your work, record your achievements, and reflect on what you have learned and how it made you feel.
This week, we will begin by designing the front cover and adding your profile before completing your first reflection about what you have achieved so far. Your cover will introduce who you are, your interests, strengths, and unique personality and It will give you the chance to experiment with creative digital design.
By the end of the ten weeks, your résumé will have grown into a complete record of your learning journey, showing not only what you have accomplished, but also who you are becoming as a learner, creator and changemaker.
Share Your Thoughts on Dear World
Dear World is a global storytelling space where young people share how they are learning, acting, and making a difference for the planet.
Purpose of Dear World:
This is students’ first introduction to Dear World as a reflective and storytelling tool — not an assessment task. The emphasis is on voice, reflection, and participation, not polish.How to frame it for students:
Explain that Dear World is a shared global space, where students can see and learn from what other young people are doing for the planet.
Emphasise that posts can capture thinking in progress, not just final outcomes.
Reinforce that reflection, honesty, and effort matter more than presentation.
What to look for:Willingness to share ideas and experiences
Early reflection and sense-making
Pride, curiosity, and connection to purpose
Emerging links between learning and real-world impact
Each week, students will be given a gentle focus for their Dear World post, helping build confidence and consistency over time.
Each week, you’ll log in to the Dear World Library to share part of your learning journey. This could be a resource you’ve created, a challenge you’ve overcome, or even a goal or difficulty you’re still working through.
This is your chance to share your story with the world and inspire others who are also learning to make a difference for our planet. Remember — it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being brave, taking action, and learning through new experiences.
Now it’s your chance to show the world what you have done this week on your journey to make the planet a better place for every living thing.
Log in to your Dear World Library to add your weekly thoughts, ideas and reflections. You can also attach a photo or video of your work to share your progress.
Let’s inspire others and celebrate what we can achieve together!
.png)
Week 1 - Research Skill Certificate
This week’s certificate recognises the research skill introduced and practised in Week One. It marks the beginning of students developing strong, purposeful research habits.
In the coming weeks, each certificate will focus on a different core skill developed throughout the course. Across the ten weeks, students will build a collection of certificates that reflect growth in a wide range of abilities, not just content knowledge.
The weekly quiz is completed by clicking the online link provided. Students may complete it independently in class or at home. You may encourage discussion with a partner before submitting, as this can deepen understanding. However, each child must complete and submit their own quiz, as certificates are awarded individually.
It is important to present this as consolidation rather than assessment. This is not a test. It is an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and strengthen a specific skill.
As students complete the quiz, look for:
• Independence and responsibility
• Confidence using digital tools
• Perseverance when unsure
• Thoughtful collaboration before submission
• Accuracy and reflection in responses
• Steady progress across the weeksOver time, you will see students growing not only in knowledge, but in confidence and capability across a range of important skills.
This week you will receive your very first certificate, and it celebrates something really important, your research skills.
Throughout this course you will learn how to become a thoughtful, careful and confident researcher. Each week you will focus on one new skill. By the end of ten weeks you will have mastered ten powerful skills that real scientists, authors and investigators use every day.
At the end of this week you will complete a short quiz to show what you have discovered. Once you finish, you will earn your Week One certificate.
There are ten certificates to collect in total. Each one represents a new skill you have learned and practised. By the end of the course, your full collection will show just how far you have grown as a researcher.
