VI. Additional activities

As part of the main activity in this toolkit, the “Climate Migrant Suitcase Activity,” you will divide your class into small groups and ask your students to:

  1. Select a character from one of the illustrated stories;
  2. Think about what that character put in their suitcase when they left their home;
  3. “Pack” their shoebox or virtual suitcase;
  4. Present their suitcase to the class;
  5. Participate in a class discussion on climate migration.

Each step of this activity may, however, be adapted or modified to suit the needs of each teacher and the age of different students. It is also possible to lead other such activities in your classroom, for example:

One group of students is responsible for researching (in newspapers and online) information on flooding in Québec/Canada, while another does the same for flooding elsewhere in the world (e.g., Kiribati). Discuss and debrief as a class.

As a class – Students give examples of floods from around the world and describe what they see, hear, and feel. The teacher takes notes on the board. Debrief as a class.

As a class – With the teacher’s help, students share what they know about rising water levels and about Kiribati. Students use images to create a visual description of the islands. The teacher takes notes on the board.

In small groups – Divide the class into groups of two students. Each pair must create a poster to answer the following question: “If you lived on an island in the South Pacific, what could happen if the water levels were to rise?” Students should address the reasons for their answer, as well as their feelings about the situation.

Your students can complete the suggested activities by recording a podcast at home, drawing a picture, or using other forms of creative self-expression (photos, collages, videos, digital tools, etc.)

In small groups – Divide the class into groups of 4 to 6 students. Each group is given a photo album with the pictures and memories of a migrant. One by one, each group describes what they see and feel when they look at the album. The teacher takes notes on the board. Debrief as a class.

Organize a school-wide exhibit of the migrant suitcases from your classroom.

Help students create educational posters to share what they have learned about climate change, health, and climate migration.

Suggest creative projects that will help students use what they have learned to prompt dialogue outside the classroom.

Ask your students about what they would do to avoid climate migration. Teach them about “self-sustaining flood cities,” which are resistant to flooding. What about drought resistance? Use AI or search engines to help inspire you.

Ask your students questions about welcoming migrants. What can be done to help them?

Help your students think about possible courses of action to respond to climate change (see Section VII for ideas).