Select grade Grade 8 Ecological sustainability

References to Vörå municipality's curriculum for grades 1-9 regarding ecological sustainability:

For each thematic area, there are references from the curriculum for each subject where the thematic area can be reflected. 

Here are references to the thematic area Climate change and carbon footprint in the subjects BI and GE.
Then there are references to the thematic area Forests and other ecosystems: human impact in the subject BI.

THEME: CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON FOOTPRINT

Climate Change and Carbon Footprint are included in the core content I6 in biology for grade 8:

  • "The content is linked to the preservation of biodiversity, climate change, sustainable use of natural resources, and changes in the local environment. Students reflect on ecological, social, economic, and ethical principles for sustainable use of natural resources, sustainable food production, and animal welfare. They gain insight into the opportunities of bioeconomy and ecosystem services from a sustainability perspective."

 

The objectives related to I6 in biology for grade 8 are:

  • M3 guide the student to investigate how organisms adapt to different habitats and understand the significance of various habitats for biodiversity
  • M6 guide the student to assess changes in nature and human impact on the environment and understand the importance of ecosystem services
  • M7 help the student develop scientific thinking and understand cause-and-effect relationships
  • M12 inspire the student to deepen their interest in nature and natural phenomena and strengthen the student's relationship with nature and environmental awareness
  • M13 guide the student to make ethically motivated choices
  • M14 inspire the student to influence and build a sustainable future

K1: "Students should be given the opportunity to make observations and practice their observational skills, seek information in various ways, and critically examine the content covered from different perspectives."

K4: "Students should have the opportunity to further develop versatile reading skills by increasingly transitioning to texts used in different situations and for different purposes."

K5: "Students practice using digital tools for international communication and learn to understand its significance, opportunities, and risks in a global world."

K7: "During basic education, students should develop an understanding of why studies and participation are important, what a sustainable lifestyle means, and how the knowledge acquired in school can be used to build a sustainable future."

Climate Change and Carbon Footprint are part of the central content I6 in geography for grade 8:

  • "Students explore environmental changes, particularly climate change and how biodiversity is weakened."

 

The objectives related to I6 in geography for grade 8 are:

  • M4 encourage students to reflect on the interaction between humans and nature and to understand the importance of sustainable use of natural resources
  • M9 teach students to observe the environment and environmental changes and encourage them to monitor current events in their local area, in Finland, and around the world
  • M11 guide students to care for nature, the built environment, and their diversity, and to strengthen their ability to participate and influence 
  • M12 support students in growing into active and responsible citizens who adopt a sustainable lifestyle

K4: "Students should have the opportunity to further develop versatile literacy by gradually transitioning to texts used in different situations and for various purposes."

K7: "During basic education, students should form an understanding of why studies and participation are important, what a sustainable lifestyle means, and how the knowledge acquired in school can be used to build a sustainable future."

THEME: FORESTS AND OTHER ECOSYSTEMS: HUMAN IMPACT

The Forest and Other Ecosystems: Human Impact is included in the core content I2 in biology for 8th grade:

  • "The content is selected so that students learn to act responsibly in nature, get to know different species, and are able to investigate and compare the forest and other ecosystems."

 

The Forest and Other Ecosystems: Human Impact is included in the core content I3 in biology for 8th grade:

  • "The content focuses on the structure and function of the Finnish forest ecosystem and how it is affected by human activities. Additionally, students gain basic knowledge about water, marsh, mountain, and urban ecosystems. [...] The content is chosen so that the importance of ecosystem diversity becomes clear."

 

The Forest and Other Ecosystems: Human Impact is included in the core content I6 in biology for 8th grade:

  • "They gain insight into the possibilities of bioeconomy and ecosystem services from a sustainability perspective."

 

The objectives related to I2, I3, and I6 in biology for 8th grade are:

  • M1 help the student understand the basic structure of the ecosystem and how it functions, as well as to compare different ecosystems and identify species
  • M3 guide the student to examine how organisms adapt to different habitats and to understand the significance of various habitats for biodiversity
  • M6 guide the student to assess changes in nature and human impact on the environment, as well as to understand the importance of ecosystem services
  • M7 help the student develop scientific thinking and understand cause-and-effect relationships
  • M12 inspire the student to deepen their interest in nature and natural phenomena, as well as strengthen the student's relationship with nature and their environmental awareness
  • M14 inspire the student to influence and build a sustainable future

K1: "Students should be given the opportunity to make observations and practice their observation skills, to seek information in various ways, and to critically examine the content addressed from different perspectives."

K4: "Students should have the opportunity to further develop diverse literacy skills by increasingly moving on to texts used in different situations and for various purposes."

K5: "Students practice using digital tools for international communication and learn to understand its significance, possibilities, and risks in a global world."

K7: "During their basic education, students should form an understanding of why studies and participation are important, what a sustainable lifestyle means, and how the knowledge acquired in school can be used to build a sustainable future."