Most people are familiar with the United Nations, a gathering of representatives from the nations of the world, who meet to address global needs. What would happen if all of the beings on the planet Earth could have such representation at a Council of All Beings?

• Would the sea slug have anything to say to the mountain, or would the spring rain want to speak to the ring-tailed lemur?
• What place would a human being hold at such an event?
• Would the representative of human race get to speak?
• What types of issues would be debated?

Let's find out!

You'll be representing an organism, entity, season, element, animal, mineral, or vegetable as your school hosts a Council of All Beings of the planet Earth. In representing your 'entity', you will have to learn about issues that would be of importance to all manner of beings. In a culminating activity you will participate in a debate, where you will represent your entity's best interests.

In preparation for the debate, you will create:

1. a symbol to represent yourself at the conference
   
2. a collage of words, images and material representing your entity (incuding its concerns and life mission)
   
3. a 60 - 90 second introductory address that lets all members of the global community learn about you and your greatest concerns
   
4. detailed responses reflecting the point of view of your entity, for each of the resolutions to be debated at the Council of All Beings

1. You'll need to choose an 'entity' whose point of view you will represent.
   
2. You'll need to research to find out more about your entity's likely point of view; areas of concern; likely opinions regarding environmental issues.
   
3. You'll create a symbol to represent your entity at the conference. You might choose from a variety of symbols such as:
   a] a mask;
   b] a model;
   c] a sign;
   d] a flag;
   e] a poster...
   
4. Create a collage of words, images and material representing your entity (incuding its concerns and life mission).
   
5. You'll have an opportunity to make an introductory presentation to the global council. In 60 - 90 seconds you will have a chance to highlight the characteristics and concerns of your entity. In preparing your introductory speech, you can complete this introduction help form.
   
6. Prior to the conference, the council has to develop an Agenda.The agenda in the case of this council meeting will consist of the following (or an adapted agenda may be presented by your teacher or developed by your classmates).

   Sample Agenda:
   
   1] Welcome and introduction
   2] Prayer
   3] Roll Call (Each entity will introduce itself to the group)
   4] The 'Chair' will lead the group in Review/Modification/Acceptance of the Agenda
   5] The 'Chair' will review the Rules of Order that are in effect for the debate
   6] Motions will be debated one at a time
   7] At the close of debate, the chairperson will officially close the Council of All Beings.

7. In order to develop motions that can be debated, 'beings' will meet in groups of 4-6 in order to develop their resolutions. Where possible, beings with similar concerns should meet together (animals meet with animals; plants meet with other plants; non-living entitites meet with one another). Groups can be smaller or larger, but should allow each being to have a say in putting forth a resolution for debate.
   
   Each Group will complete a Resolution Planning Form for submission to the teacher.
   
   
8. From the proposed resolutions, the teacher will select 1 or more that will be debated formally at the Council of All Beings. Once the resolutions have been chosen you will have a chance to prepare to represent your entity at the debate which will take place as part of the Council of All Beings.
   
   For each motion, the following steps will take place:
   
   a] Formal reading of the Resolution by a member of the group responsible
   b] One entity will speak in favour of the motion
   c] One entitly will speak against the motion
   d] Open Debate (any entity can argue either for or against the resolution.
   e] Calling the Question: Once debate is finished, the resolution will be put ot a vote. (the resolution is read and each member votes on the motion)
   f) The motion either Passes or Fails.
   
   
9. Once your teacher shares with you a list of the issues that will be debated, you will be provided with class time to prepare in order that you can accurately represent the point of view of your being/entity. In order to help you prepare a persuasive argument, you should visit this planning guide.
   
10. The Council of All Beings concludes this experience!

     

1. enviro links... student links
2. debate guidelines
3. animal links
4. logo design links

Debate Rubric for the culminating discussions section of the Council of All Beings

Learning Skills Rubric for preparatory work

Self and Teacher Evaluation of Cooperative Learning Skills

Collage Rubric

Resolution Rubric

Speech Rubric for representing your entity.

In representing an entity other than human beings at the Council of All Beings, you likely saw the activities of human beings in a whole new light.

1. Did this way of demonstrating your understanding of environmental issues help you gain a fresh perspective?

If you are interested in learning more about this subject matter, you can find related hyperlinks at Student Links 2 on the LDCSB "Intranet" Website.

* Note: This link is not licensed for home use by students

This activity is based on the concept of human beings playing the role of various entities as discovered in the environmental teaching resource called 'Thinking Like a Mountain'. A similar activity was developed for use as a campfire experience led by Rodd Lucier at the Holy Cross Retreat Centre in Port Burwell, Ontario in 1994.