Ocean Plastics 7-11 is a Key Stage 2 (KS2) cross-curricular unit of work encompassing science and geography which also develops skills in mathematics, citizenship and spoken language. The unit addresses four key questions; what are plastics, where are plastics, what impact can plastics have and what can I do?
These questions are answered by developing students understanding of properties of materials, living things, habitats and human and physical geography. The unit explores the pros and cons of a variety of plastic products, investigates how plastic finds its way to the ocean and looks at what changes can be made on a local and global scale. Students understand the complex issues surrounding oceans plastics through this units optimistic and innovative approach to challenging attitudes and behaviour.
If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.
Ocean Plastics 5-7 is a Key Stage 1 (KS1) cross-curricular introduction to materials and their properties, which focusses on plastic and its abundance. Students discover how many everyday products are made from or contain plastic, understanding its versatility and resilience.
They go on to discover what happens to rubbish after it’s thrown away and explore recycling, landfill and litter. Students find out how detrimental plastic is to marine life and create posters and models encouraging friends and family to recycle and reduce the amount of plastic they use. This unit encourages proactive and positive behaviours, for all our futures.
If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.
Ocean Plastics Science is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource combining both biology and chemistry. Students are taken on the journey of plastic. Exploring how plastics are manufactured, used, and disposed into the ocean. Students will learn the science behind what makes plastics both brilliant for everyday purposes and devastating to our oceans and marine life.
Included in this topic are teacher resources that promote students to conduct authentic research, emulating research conducted by The University of Plymouth. Students will test the properties of plastics, investigate compostable alternatives, and analyse case studies to discover how plastics can physically and chemically harm marine life. https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics-science-11-14
If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.
This #GoogleExpeditions lesson develops students’ understanding of environmental change.
In this lesson students understand the impact of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere on the marine environment and in particular the coral ecosystem.
High CO2 has two impacts on the ocean: warming and ocean acidification. This virtual field trip shows the impact of warming oceans in terms of coral bleaching.
Google Expeditions are immersive 360 degree photo stories designed for use in the classroom. For more see: https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/
To download Google Docs versions of the lesson plan go to: https://goo.gl/RhfeXy
This #GoogleExpeditions lesson develops student knowledge of a variety of mini-beasts as well as creative writing skills.
Students can choose from a range of different mini-beast expeditions on Google Expeditions: the Ambush Bug, Whip Spider, Malayan Jungle Nymph (pictured), Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis or Darkling Beetle.
Students first describe their chosen mini-beast using the photos in the Google Expedition, commenting also on how the creature is adapted to its environment. Then, they develop creative writing skills, writing a story from the point of view of one of the mini-beasts.
Google Expeditions are immersive 360 degree photo stories designed for use in the classroom. For more see: https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/
To download Google Docs versions of the lesson plan and student sheet go to: https://goo.gl/Fhj1xU
This #GoogleExpeditions lesson develops students’ understanding of recycling and where waste goes.
Students develop their knowledge of recycling through a Google Expedition to the New York Department of Sanitation. They apply their learning in the form of a waste diary and develop values needed to reduce and recycle more of their waste.
Google Expeditions are immersive 360 degree photo stories designed for use in the classroom. For more see: https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/
To download Google Docs versions of the lesson plan and student sheet go to: https://goo.gl/UzlX1w
In this lesson students learn about the impacts of ice in the Arctic melting by watching a series of demonstrations.
The context of the lesson is the work of Dr Helen Findlay who was investigating the effect of environmental change on the Arctic ecosystem.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 5: How is the Arctic changing?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 5a: The albedo effect
Activity Overview 5b: Sea level rise
Activity Overview 5c: Ocean circulation demonstration
Student Sheet 5a: Sentences card sort
Student Sheet 5b: Arctic issues storyboard
It forms Lesson 5 of 5 from the Frozen Oceans 7-11 unit of work. Take your class to the North Pole with this cross-curricular investigation of the Arctic Ocean. The lessons progress to cover varied topics and skills needed for a science research expedition in the polar regions. Themes include Arctic food webs, training like an explorer, expedition food, insulation and clothing, the impacts of melting ice and conducting a press conference. The lessons can also be combined into a Polar Challenge Day. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
In this lesson students investigate the insulating properties of materials and consider how the adaptations of Arctic organisms help develop these.
The context of the lesson is helping to develop new clothing for Tyler Fish, one of the Catlin Arctic Survey explorers.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 4: How do humans and animals keep warm in the arctic?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 4: Investigating insulating materials
Student Sheet 4a: Investigating insulating materials
Student Sheet 4b: Scientific poster template
Student Sheet 4c: Scientific poster template (advanced)
Student Sheet 4d: Blubber gloves
It forms Lesson 4 of 5 from the Frozen Oceans 7-11 unit of work. Take your class to the North Pole with this cross-curricular investigation of the Arctic Ocean. The lessons progress to cover varied topics and skills needed for a science research expedition in the polar regions. Themes include Arctic food webs, training like an explorer, expedition food, insulation and clothing, the impacts of melting ice and conducting a press conference. The lessons can also be combined into a Polar Challenge Day. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This lesson is focussed on food and nutrition for Key Stage 2 (KS2) students. Students learn about diet and the importance of a balanced diet through the experiences of polar explorers. Using creativity and scientific research skills, students will create a menu suitable for an Arctic expedition.
The lesson is introduced by Fran Orio, a specialist polar cook, who can make amazing meals in the most extreme circumstances.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 3: How do you eat like an Arctic explorer?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 3: Pemmican recipe
Student Sheet 3a: Researching food
Student Sheet 3b: Polar menu
It forms Lesson 3 of 5 from the Frozen Oceans 7-11 unit of work. Take your class to the North Pole with this cross-curricular investigation of the Arctic Ocean. The lessons progress to cover varied topics and skills needed for a science research expedition in the polar regions. Themes include Arctic food webs, training like an explorer, expedition food, insulation and clothing, the impacts of melting ice and conducting a press conference. The lessons can also be combined into a Polar Challenge Day. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
In this Key Stage 2 (KS2) lesson, students simulate the training of Arctic explorers to learn how lifestyles can affect physical and mental health.
The lesson is introduced by Ann Daniels, a record-breaking polar explorer as the first woman in history, along with expedition teammate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all women teams.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 2: How do you train like an Arctic explorer?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 2a: Tyre drag relay
Activity Overview 2b: Sleeping bag relay
Student Sheet 2a: Training storyboard
It forms Lesson 2 of 5 from the Frozen Oceans 7-11 unit of work. Take your class to the North Pole with this cross-curricular investigation of the Arctic Ocean. The lessons progress to cover varied topics and skills needed for a science research expedition in the polar regions. Themes include Arctic food webs, training like an explorer, expedition food, insulation and clothing, the impacts of melting ice and conducting a press conference. The lessons can also be combined into a Polar Challenge Day. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Our Ocean Planet is a full unit of work covering all aspects of the ocean across Key Stage 2. Each lesson is written with an ocean expert - scientist, advocate or explorer (great for STEM careers). Together they form a learning voyage around the world, discovering more about out ocean planet through core aspects of the science and geography programmes of study as well as developing numeracy and literacy skills.
The unit works in two parts. First, students will explore the UK seas learning about the names and locations of marine places, marine habitats and the diversity of marine life, as well as the contribution of the sea to the UK economy. Students then go on a global ocean voyage to each of the main oceans, learning about diverse marine topics from the water cycle in the Arctic to evolution in the Southern Ocean and classification on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean.
A full list of topics is below and the downloads include the unit booklet with lesson plans, student sheets, practical guidance and subject updates. Slideshows for each lesson are separate downloads.
Mission 1: UK seas with Paul Rose
Mission 2: UK marine habitats with Dr Susana Lincoln
Mission 3: UK marine life with Dr Ceri Lewis & Dr Helen Findlay
Mission 4: Using our seas with Jennifer Gomez Molina
Mission 5: Our ocean voyage with Prof Alex Rogers
Mission 6: The Arctic Ocean and water cycle with Prof Mark Brandon
Mission 7: The Atlantic Ocean and climate with Prof Penny Holliday
Mission 8: The Indian Ocean and classification with Sheena Talma
Mission 9: The Pacific Ocean and plastic pollution with Jo Royle
Mission 10: The Southern Ocean and penguin adaptation with Dr Norman Ratcliffe
Mission 11: The Southern Ocean and penguin evolution with Dr Michael Dunn
Mission 12: Captain’s log
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Students will learn about the link between latitude and climate, applying key terms such as equator and climate zones. They will also look at the influence of the ocean on climate and why the UK is warmer than it ‘should be’.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 7 The Atlantic Ocean and climate with Prof Penny Holliday
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 7a World city cards
Student Sheet 7b World climate zones
Student Sheet 7c Explaining the UK climate
Student Sheet 7d The ocean and climate
It forms Lesson 7 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Using the context of a voyage around the world’s ocean, students will learn about presentation skills including delivery and slide design. Students will deliver their presentation to the class, receiving feedback from their peers.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 12: Captain’s log
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 12a: Presentation storyboard
Student Sheet 12b: Presentation peer assessment
It forms Lesson 12 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students explore how penguins might have evolved to suit past environmental changes. The core of this lesson is the Penguin Evolution Game, which simulates the six stages of adaptation that lead to evolution.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 11: The Southern Ocean and penguin evolution with Dr Michael Dunn
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Penguin evolution script (student-friendly script to describe the six stages of adaptation that lead to evolution)
Activity Overview: Penguin evolution game (instructions for running this classroom simulation)
Student Sheet 11a: Penguin evolution game cards
Student Sheet 11b: Penguin evolution card sort
Student Sheet 11c: Storyboard cloze task
Student Sheet 11d: Storyboard template
It forms Lesson 11 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
In this KS2 science lesson, students travel to the Southern Ocean and the waters around Antarctica to study penguins. Students will learn about the adaptations that allow penguins to survive. This lesson can be used as an introductory lesson to the topic of evolution for upper Key Stage 2 students, which is the focus of Mission 10
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 10 The Southern Ocean and penguin adaptation with Dr Norman Ratcliffe
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 10 Penguin adaptations (students are directed to use an online interactive Thinglink to complete their research)
It forms Lesson 10 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Plastic pollution is one of the major issues affecting the ocean. Students will begin by learning about the impact of litter on marine life. They will then explore the 3 Rs (reduce, recycle, reuse) and how they can be applied to the issue of marine plastic pollution. Students will then be guided to reuse common plastic waste to make a new useful object such as a bird-feeder or snack box.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 9: The Pacific Ocean and plastic pollution with Jo Royle
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Reusing plastic bottles
Student Sheet 9a: Reusing plastic bottles preparation
Student Sheet 9b: Reusing plastic bottles guidance
Student Sheet 9c: Reusing plastic bottles review
It forms Lesson 9 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This classification lesson is based around an expedition to the coral reef. Students learn about classification through practical sorting activities and then apply their knowledge to the amazing animals on the coral reef and some of the oddities that are found there. What is a coral? Is a dolphin more closely related to a shark or a cow? More able students can also develop their own classification key.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 8: The Indian Ocean and classification with Sheena Talma
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Sorting objects practical
Student Sheet 8a: Classifying coral life
Student Sheet 8b: Making a key
Student Sheet 8c: Classification card sort
Student Sheet 8d: Coral life fact sheet
It forms Lesson 8 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This lesson introduces students to the water cycle. They will consider whether it rains more in the UK or the Arctic and then carry out a practical to link the ideas of temperature and evaporation.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 6: The Arctic Ocean and the water cycle with Prof Penny Holliday
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Evaporation rates practical
Student Sheet 6a: Water cycle card sort
Student Sheet 6b: Water cycle data activity
Student Sheet 6c: Water cycle exam style questions
Mark scheme: Water cycle exam style questions
It forms Lesson 6 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This is an introductory lesson to the world’s oceans. Students will use map skills to name and locate the world’s oceans and learn about major marine landmarks, from the deepest point to the biggest tide and many places in between.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 5 Our ocean voyage with Prof Alex Rogers
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 5a World oceans map
Student Sheet 5b Marine wonders card sort
Student Sheet 5c Voyage map template
It forms Lesson 5 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
A numeracy-based geography full lesson looking at the marine economy. Useful full lesson resource that ticks off the need to teach marine topics in KS2 geography and develops numeracy skills at the same time.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 4: Using our sea with Jennifer Gomez Molina
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 4a: Using our seas
Student Sheet 4b: How much is the sea worth (in two different age groups)
Student Sheet 4c: Using our seas poster
Multimedia Slideshow Marine economy (animated ppt showing aspects of UK marine economy)
It forms Lesson 4 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.