MTM LESSON PLANNER

Step One

GET TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS

We encourage all students to either read or view the Virtasian Tales book or videos, which are available for free at www.virtasiantales.com.

This will give you a much better understanding of all the Virtasian Tales characters who star in all the Million Trees & Messages videos and activities.

The main character Bellasini has a great love of all the creatures and trees of her forest, and they have a great love for her. There are already 90 minutes of the Virtasian Tales story in videos, and we continue to produce more, as we realize many young people today do not enjoy reading or are too young and would therefore prefer to watch a video.

Step Two

CHALLENGE ONE – ONE FAMILY ONE TREE

We would encourage teachers to talk to their students futher about the effects carbon emissions, pollution, deforestation, etc are having on the earth’s environment, and what will happen if we do not curtail deforestation and begin restoration of our forests and green areas quickly.

After these talks we would suggest you set a task for the young students to plant a tree or bush of their own. Here we try to encourage the child to go home and talk to their parents about his or her tree planting project, so the whole family gets involved with the planting. This can be achieved by just producing a Million Trees & Messages flyer to send home with the students.

Of course many children will live in houses or apartments where there is no land to plant a tree. This should not be seen as a major problem, as children can still plant a small tree, bush or flower on their balconies, windowsills or ledges.

Their tree planting task should also include the writing of some messages to future generations of hope, and their reasons for planting their tree or bush, and then burying it in a small bottle or container next to the tree.

We believe this time capsule will greatly increase their attachment to both their tree and the future generations they are trying to help.

Setting aside a time for writing messages in class can be a very thought provoking time for young minds, who are in their own way trying to assist build a better future for all.

The last task of Challenge one is to take some pictures of their tree planting, and place them on the Million Trees & Messages Facebook page or on a school notice board, so the whole world can see what they have achieved.

We have produced 3 videos which explain Challenge One for Students

Step Three

CHALLENGE TWO - MY MILLION TREES

The main objectives of Challenge Two are

To demonstrate to students that if everybody contributes a little bit, big things can be achieved.
To encourage students to start talking to their friends and family about climate change and deforestation.
To demonstrate how easy it is to plant a million trees, if you just talk to 4 of your friends, and get them to do the same. A great multiplication example for students.

We have produced 2 videos which explain Challenge Two for Students

Step Four

ECO-WARRIOR

After students have completed Challenges 1&2 ,we encourage them to become a MTM Eco-Warriors.

This is achieved by simply filling out the Registration Form on this site.

There is no cost attached, however it links the students to thousands of other Eco-Warriors which they can compare their reforestation efforts. It is good for young people to know they are not alone in their fight against climate change.

As an Eco-Warrior they will receive a monthly Newsletter with things to do, ideas, and activities.

Step Five

FORM A LOCAL MTM CLUB

After completing Challenge 1 & 2, each Eco-Warrior should by this time also have many of their friends registered as Eco-Warriors.

We suggest at this time for older students, that they look at forming a local MTM Eco-Warrior Club.

This is a great way to keep active and identify new environmental projects which the group may wish to undertake in the local area.

We have produced a video which explains Establishing a MTM Club

Step Six

YOUR OWN LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

After older students have completed their challenges and maybe established a club, we encourage groups to look for local environmental problems, which they may be able to solve.

Each area will have slightly different pressing problems, hence we have made a variety of videos on different projects they may wish to undertake, and we continue to produce more.

For younger students we encourage the undertaking of school projects, such as the establishment of a tree nursery