SDG #11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Learning Sequence
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What is SDG #11?
This week’s activities focus on SDG #11, encouraging students to explore sustainable urban development. Students begin by watching an educational video on sustainable cities, followed by engaging in problem-solving projects aimed at improving urban environments.
They then write to influential figures to discuss their findings and solutions. The week concludes with a reflective journal entry and a quiz to reinforce their learning, helping them understand their role in promoting sustainable living.
This week, we’re focusing on a crucial objective: SDG number 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
We’ll begin with a brief video about SDG #11, which will help us understand why it’s essential to create sustainable cities and communities. The video will illustrate the importance of having safe, resilient, and sustainable environments where everyone can live happily. It’ll show us how proper planning and services can make life better in big cities and small towns alike.
Next, we’re up for a challenge! This week, you’ll get to engage in a series of activities designed to make our urban areas better places to live. Choose a project that excites you the most. These tasks will encourage more people to think about and contribute to the development of greener, more efficient, and more inclusive urban environments.
Then, you will have the opportunity to write a letter or an email to an influential leader or organisation. Spin the wheel to find out who you’ll be writing to, do your research, and see if you can get a reply.
After completing your challenge, take some time to reflect on what you’ve learned and jot it down in your digital journal. It’s an excellent way to keep track of your contributions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
And don’t forget our weekly quiz! It’s a fun way to test your new knowledge and earn a certificate at the end of the week.
Let’s put our creativity and effort into making sure our cities and communities are sustainable. Every action you take brings us closer to a more sustainable and inclusive future!
Weekly Keywords
This activity is crafted to introduce students to essential terms and ideas linked to SDG #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. Students will receive a compilation of sophisticated words and expressions connected to creating resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.
They are prompted to reinterpret these terms into straightforward, common language and explore their implications. The objective is to expand their lexicon around issues of urban development and sustainability while also sharpening their analytical abilities as they articulate and grasp the importance of these concepts, deepening their understanding of the key aspects of fostering sustainable and livable cities for all.
On the task card provided, you’ll find a list of keywords linked to SDG #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Your challenge is to review these words and explain their meanings in the simplest terms possible. This activity is designed to enhance your ability to simplify complex concepts into accessible elements, a crucial skill for all future learning and discussions.
Quote of the week - Arnold Schwarzenegger
This week, we’ll draw inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger and his impactful views on sustainable urban development, focusing on SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. Students will explore one of his pivotal quotes, interpreting its significance from their unique viewpoints, possibly through art or a multimedia presentation.
The heart of this activity lies in deep contemplation and engaging conversation. It encourages students to connect deeply with Arnold’s words, pondering their impact on personal life choices and broader environmental outcomes.
This method promotes critical thinking and sparks open discussion, enabling students to examine how powerful messages shape their views and actions, thereby enriching their comprehension of sustainable urban development. It motivates a dedication to advocacy and problem-solving, aligning closely with the goals of SDG 11.
Each week, we will share an inspirational quote from the renowned advocate for sustainable cities and green energy, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
We encourage you to write down the quote, print it, or even create a drawing inspired by his words.
After you’ve completed this, we invite you to reflect on and discuss the meaning of this quote. Think about what it signifies to us and how we can use Arnold’s insights to make a difference in the world.
Research - Creating an Infographic
This task invites students to create an infographic on SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, combining research with creativity. They’ll begin by examining an example and then use a template to design their infographic, incorporating researched facts and statistics for greater depth.
Students are encouraged to creatively employ visuals, charts, and colours to present their findings in an engaging manner. This activity not only enhances research skills but also fosters creativity, culminating in a piece that contributes towards their SDG Challenge series certificate.
Every week, you’ll take on a new design challenge: creating a clear and engaging infographic about one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This week, we’re focusing on SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Start by looking at the example we’ve given you, then use the provided template to create your own infographic about sustainable urban environments.
Feel encouraged to gather additional information to add more depth and detail to your infographic. Use visuals, charts, diagrams, and data creatively. Experiment with different colour schemes to make your design vibrant.
When you’ve completed your infographic, it will be a key part of earning your certificate for the SDG Challenge series.
SDG Challenge Card SDG 11
This activity engages students in projects connected to SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. Students are encouraged to show qualities like commitment and perseverance in real-world scenarios, enhancing their involvement in the community and experiential learning about issues of urban sustainability.
Teachers should offer support and guidance while allowing students the freedom to tackle these challenges independently. This approach promotes exploration and knowledge acquisition through hands-on experiences, rather than traditional classroom instruction.
Dive into the Upschool Challenge for SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and explore the exciting tasks we’ve prepared for you this week. You can choose one specific challenge or try several; approach your chosen tasks with enthusiasm, dedication, and a positive mindset.
You can complete these tasks alone, with friends, or with your entire class.
Learning these skills is crucial if you aim to contribute to a world where cities and communities are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for everyone.
Spin the Wheel and Write a letter to a World Leader
Each week we are going to ask you to write to one of the world’s most powerful people. Click the wheel to spin, wait until it stops and then scroll down to find out how to contact your leader. (If you have already written to that person, please spin again.) Good Luck!
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Spin the Wheel and Write a letter To a World Leader
Every week presents students with the thrilling chance to pick a world leader from our curated list and communicate with them about the SDG topic of the week. Students are urged to inventively propose how these leaders might play a role in addressing these global challenges.
Students can choose to send their letters via post or email, with every necessary detail provided on the accompanying task card. The goal is to capture the attention of these influential figures, hoping to elicit a reply, or possibly initiate a phone discussion or secure a direct meeting. This task promotes independence, encourages critical thinking, and enhances communication skills, supporting their future goals.
It’s important to celebrate any responses, as it gives the students a sense of achievement and reassurance that their efforts are being recognized.
Every week, you get a chance to connect with a global leader and discuss important issues. This week, we’re focusing on SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. You’ll start by reading my example letter to Arnold Schwarzenegger about his sustainability efforts in California to get some tips on how to craft your own impactful letter.
After you’ve read the example, use the wheel provided to find out which world leader you will be writing to. In your letter, express your thoughts on sustainable urban development and suggest ways they can further support this goal. Use famous historical quotes to emphasize your points and add deeper meaning to your message.
If you’re not already familiar with the leader you’re assigned, you’ll need to look them up. We’ve included all the necessary information in the booklet provided to help you get started.
Decide whether to send your letter by post or email, with all the necessary contact details included on the task card.
The goal is for you to write a letter that not only communicates your ideas about sustainable cities and communities but also encourages a response, potentially leading to further dialogue. Check the provided tips for writing an effective letter that engages and informs.
Good luck, and I hope your letter sparks meaningful change!
Including Famous Quotes In your letter
This week, students will be engaging with SDG 11 by writing letters to world leaders, focusing on the development of sustainable cities and communities. They will use an example letter I’ve written to Arnold Schwarzenegger, which uses historical quotes to emphasize the importance of sustainability.
The task highlights the significance of incorporating impactful quotes to underline the urgency of enhancing urban environments sustainably. By integrating these evocative quotes, students can present a persuasive and authentic argument that catches the attention of influential figures. Encourage your students to write clearly and with intention, using the example as a model to effectively engage leaders and advocate for impactful changes in urban planning and sustainability.
This week, I’m preparing a special letter to send to Arnold Schwarzenegger, focusing on SDG 11, which addresses Sustainable Cities and Communities. In my letter, I’ll be using historical quotes from famous figures to underscore the importance of sustainable urban development.
Now, it’s your turn to craft a similar letter:
Envision yourself writing to a prominent leader or an influential figure about an urban sustainability issue you care about. We’ll enhance your letter by incorporating historical quotes.
You’ve already practiced writing clearly, supporting your ideas with facts, and engaging emotionally with your readers. Now, your challenge is to apply these skills to include meaningful quotes in your letter. These quotes can lend authority and depth, making your message even more compelling.
Consider these questions: How can using quotes from historical figures in your letter capture the attention of the leader you’re writing to? How will you present these quotes to engage your reader and motivate them to take action?
Prepare to get started! Use my example letter to Arnold as inspiration to craft a letter that not only communicates your message effectively but also prompts a response from the leader of your choice. This is your opportunity to voice your thoughts and potentially ignite change. Let’s make it engaging and influential!
Post Your Letter - The Power of the Pen
This activity involves students directly by encouraging them to write letters to world leaders on pressing issues. It highlights the importance of determination, as students send out letters on a weekly basis until they secure a response, fostering resilience and illustrating the significance of their voice in global dialogues.
After you’ve finished writing your letter about the issues you feel are most crucial, it’s time to share your message with the world and await a reply.
Every week, we’ll send a letter to a different global leader, hoping they’ll respond.
If you don’t hear back, don’t lose heart; continue to persevere until you receive a response and your voice reaches those who can support your quest to improve the world.
Persistence is vital! Keep pushing forward.
My Digital Resume - Adding Experience #11
We’re helping students create a digital resume about their work with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Every week, they’ll add new experiences, starting with crafting an engaging cover page. This project highlights their commitment to making cities and communities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, as well as their personal growth.
Using a template they can customize to reflect their style, the final resume will vividly illustrate their efforts and achievements in promoting sustainable urban development, demonstrating their dedication and what they’ve learned.
Every week, we’re putting together a unique digital resume that covers all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but this week, we’re focusing on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Consider your resume as a platform to showcase the projects you’ve been involved in that aim to make cities and communities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. These projects not only highlight your skills but also demonstrate how you’ve contributed to building better urban environments.
Take a look at an example of my digital resume that includes compelling stories about my initiatives in these areas.
This week, your task is to create a page that highlights the significant work you’ve done related to SDG 11. Once you complete this SDG Challenge, add your latest projects about sustainable cities and communities to your resume. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive resume that illustrates not just what you’ve done, but the positive impact and improvements you’ve helped bring about.
Use our Canva template to design your resume to make it truly personal and reflect your unique style.
