This #GoogleExpeditions lesson develops student skills understanding of biomes and ecosystems.
This introductory lesson introduces students to the main biomes around the planet, their features and locations. Further in-depth lessons on the different biomes are listed below.
Google Expeditions are immersive 360 degree photo stories designed for use in the classroom. For more see: https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/.
This is Google Expeditions Lesson is number 1 of a 4 lesson sequence. It can be used as a standalone lesson or in conjunction with others listed below (links go to Google Docs versions of the lessons).
Lesson 1: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems https://goo.gl/0eMtoz
Lesson 2: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems: Tundra and Taiga https://goo.gl/L6cpjH
Lesson 3: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest and Temperate Forests https://goo.gl/wGM97d
Lesson 4: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems: Savannah and Desert https://goo.gl/sBrZzi
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
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.
Introduce your students to the oceans! A 60-min lesson with practical activities suitable for 11-14 year olds, replicating the work of scientists on the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010-11. The scientists camped on the frozen sea ice for two months to examine what changes are occurring to phytoplankton and zooplankton in the oceans’ current state, as well as if they were to become more acidic.
Includes three simple practical activities:
what’s happening
the impact it may have on specific marine organisms
the impact on the larger food web.
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.
This introductory lesson looks at the scientific processes and concepts of the carbon cycle.
This will enable students to grow prior knowledge of food chains and feeding relationships to understanding the drivers of environmental change.
The lesson starts with an introduction to what carbon is, followed by a scaffolded understanding of the carbon cycle, reinforced by a fun activity.
The lesson will close by analysing how an imbalance in the carbon cycle is leading to increased carbon in the atmosphere, which is driving the climate crisis.
An interactive carbon cycle diagram complements the lesson.
Learning outcomes
List where carbon can be found
Describe four basic processes of the carbon cycle
Demonstrate their understanding of carbon stores and movement between them
Link increasing carbon levels in the atmosphere with climate change
This group activity is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the carbon cycle. It is aimed at upper primary classes, as it represents a simplified model of how carbon moves. Students will develop their understanding of how carbon moves between the atmosphere, plants, and animals, as well as how the burning of fossil fuels over the past 250 years has caused an imbalance in the carbon cycle.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
This is an introductory lesson to the UK’s surrounding seas. Students will be able to name and locate the UK’s seas, major marine landmarks and places, and there are opportunities for developing map skills.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 1 The UK Seas with Paul Rose
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 1a UK places and seas (different age ranges available)
Student Sheet 1b UK marine landmarks (different age ranges available)
Student Sheet 1c Postcard template
Student Sheet 1d Travel brochure template
It forms Lesson 1 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.
Ocean Plastics Geography is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource developed in partnership between the Geographical Association and Encounter Edu.
The lessons address the issue of marine plastic pollution, the harm caused by plastics to the environment and communities, how we deal with all the waste, ending with a debate on approaches to reducing ocean plastic pollution.
Fieldwork templates for investigating plastics in the local area are included as well as a wealth of case studies exploring both the human and physical elements of plastic pollution. https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics
If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.
Ocean for beginners X-Curric 11-14 is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource. This series of three lessons sets the scene for students who are about to commence Ocean Plastics 11-14. The lessons introduce students to the breadth and depth of the ocean and the wonder of the creatures that inhabit it. The unit goes on to explore some of the many ways we depend on the ocean and asks students to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment expressing their concerns about ocean health. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on investigate possible career opportunities within this field. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 3 unit - Ocean Plastics 11-14.
https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-11-14
Our ocean in crisis KS4 is a resource for year 9, year 10, and year 11 students. In this lesson students will consider some of the myths in the media relating to ocean plastics by completing a true or false activity. They then analyse different news reports considering the motivations different organisations and media outlets may have. Students conduct research about an ‘Ocean hero’ and create a detailed career plan to emulate the achievements of their chosen hero. The lesson concludes with a class discussion about the changes they can implement in their lives which could make a difference to the levels of marine plastic pollution.
This is one of three lessons in the Oceans for beginners X-Curric 14-16 unit. Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource. The lessons build on prior knowledge of oceans and the species and habitats it encompasses. Students explore ecosystem goods and services and answer GCSE style questions reflecting on how we use the oceans. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on to consider careers in this field by evaluating the work of an ‘Ocean hero’. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 4 unit - Ocean Plastics 14-16.
Get the full unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16
Our wonderful ocean KS4 is a resource for year 9, year 10, and year 11 students. This is a This lesson will build on prior knowledge of marine environments. Students use globes and atlases to map the locations and key physical features of the oceans. Students will learn the names and notable characteristics of iconic species from different ocean habitats. They then use the information sheets to develop their knowledge and understanding of how humans use the ocean, presenting their findings in a fact-sheet.
This is one of three lessons in the Oceans for beginners X-Curric 14-16 unit. Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource. The lessons build on prior knowledge of oceans and the species and habitats it encompasses. Students explore ecosystem goods and services and answer GCSE style questions reflecting on how we use the oceans. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on to consider careers in this field by evaluating the work of an ‘Ocean hero’. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 4 unit - Ocean Plastics 14-16.
Get the full unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16
Our ocean and us KS4 is a resource for year 9, year 10, and year 11 students. In this lesson students learn about the concept of ecosystem goods and services, following this they will answer GCSE style exam questions which they will peer assess, reflecting on how dependent we are on the ocean.
This is one of three lessons in the Oceans for beginners X-Curric 14-16 unit. Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource. The lessons build on prior knowledge of oceans and the species and habitats it encompasses. Students explore ecosystem goods and services and answer GCSE style questions reflecting on how we use the oceans. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on to consider careers in this field by evaluating the work of an ‘Ocean hero’. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 4 unit - Ocean Plastics 14-16.
Get the full unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16
This is the third lesson in the eight lesson Global Climate and Renewable Energy unit for KS4 and GCSE. This is a lesson for higher level students, developing knowledge of climate modelling and accessing information in an academic journal article on the impact of climate on renewable energy production. The HIWAVES research team wrote an academic paper investigating the impact of predicted climate on renewable energy production. This lesson looks at how the research team used climate models as part of their work and then focuses on the academic journal article written by the team and supports students to access information from this level of research output.
The unit provides a robust understanding of the latest findings promoting climate literacy, while being curriculum-aligned to GCSE exam body specifications, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle challenges of the future. The unit and its associated activities and multimedia can also be accessed on the Encounter Edu website.
This is the fourth lesson in the eight lesson Global Climate and Renewable Energy unit for KS4 and GCSE. This lesson focuses on developing students’ knowledge and understanding of different types of renewable and non-renewable energy. In this lesson students will learn about how different types of energy are generated and stored, focussing on examples of renewable and non-renewable sources. Students will also look at the energy production matrix of the UK, the Netherlands and the European Union, comparing and contrasting them.
The unit provides a robust understanding of the latest findings promoting climate literacy, while being curriculum-aligned to GCSE exam body specifications, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle challenges of the future. The unit and its associated activities and multimedia can also be accessed on the Encounter Edu website.