Students review the countries of Europe and then explore the climate and some of the important natural resources of the continent. Next, students get an overview on environmental threats in Europe and work in small groups to research and report on a specific problem. Finally, they take a look at the role that young people can play in preserving natural resources and the environment.
Students read an overview of the experience, including the objectives and a brief description of Europe’s varied climates and natural resources. They then use the online Flags of Europe tool in study and practice modes to review European countries and their locations. Students submit the name of one European country that is new or unfamiliar to them.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the experience and review the learning objectives. Model the pronunciation of challenging European country names and have students repeat and locate them on a map. Monitor students as they explore the flags resource and ensure everyone is ready before moving on.
Students read Europe: Resources to learn about major European climates and how natural resources support activities such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, and urban development. Using a four-part graphic organizer, they take notes under the headings Climate and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Mining and Drilling, and The Built Environment. They then answer a series of multiple-choice questions that check understanding of climate regions, key agricultural products, leading fishing nations, Europe’s energy imports, and the continent’s high level of urbanization.
Teacher MovesPrompt students to use the graphic organizer to capture specific examples that link climate and resources to human activities. Circulate to support reading comprehension and note-taking, clarifying terms such as “Mediterranean climate” and “urban continent.” Review student responses to the questions to address misconceptions about European climates, resource dependence, and settlement patterns, and prepare students for small-group work in the next scene.
Students read a short explanation connecting human use of natural resources to environmental problems in Europe. In small groups, they choose one topic—biodiversity loss, air pollution, water pollution, water overuse, deforestation and illegal logging, overfishing, or climate change—and research it online. Each group creates a report that describes the problem, explains its causes, highlights current efforts to address it, and may include images. Groups post their report to a shared discussion wall or link to a product created with a digital tool (such as a presentation, timeline, or interactive poster). They then review and discuss reports created by other groups.
Teacher MovesFrame the connection between resource use and environmental challenges in Europe. Support groups in selecting topics, planning research, and organizing their reports, guiding them to include causes, impacts, and solutions. Encourage effective use of digital tools and credible sources. If time allows, invite groups to present their findings to the whole class and facilitate a question-and-answer discussion. Ensure students understand that remaining scenes will be completed individually before unlocking the next scene.
Students read about how young people can take action on environmental issues and explore the website of Young Friends of the Earth Europe to see examples of youth-led environmental efforts. On a class discussion wall, they post ideas for starting a similar chapter in their own community, including which environmental topics they would address and what they would hope to accomplish. Students then read classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with questions or positive comments.
Teacher MovesEncourage students to look for specific examples of youth activism and practical actions on the website. Prompt them to connect European examples to environmental issues in their own community and to propose realistic goals for a local group. Monitor the discussion wall, prompting respectful, constructive feedback and deeper questioning among students, and then transition the class to the final scene.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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