Plastics: what harm can they cause? Part two

Plastics: what are they? Part two is a Key Stage 2 (KS2) lesson. This lesson sees students investigate how plastics get into the oceans and affect marine life. Students discover how plastic pollution doesn’t start when plastic enters the ocean. They go on to consider economic, political and social elements of human geography that impact ocean plastic pollution. Students examine case studies relating to plastic pollution at home and abroad to consider the social and economic impacts.

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.

Get the whole unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics-x-curric-7-11