This comprehensive lesson explores the fundamental aspects of climate change, from its causes to the methods scientists use to study Earth’s climatic history. Students will delve into the greenhouse effect, examine evidence of past climate changes, and engage in hands-on analysis of sediment cores.
Students will:
Unravel the greenhouse effect: explore the mechanisms behind global warming and its impact on our planet.
Journey through Earth’s climate history: discover how scientists uncover information about past climates and the evidence they use.
Analyse ancient climate data: engage in a practical sediment core analysis activity, comparing evidence from sediment and ice cores.
Interpret proxy data: Learn how scientists use indirect indicators to reconstruct past climates and practice these techniques.
By the end of this lesson, students will:
Explain why global warming happens
Describe how the climate has changed over time
Identify the evidence scientists have for climate change
Demonstrate techniques in using proxy data to measure climate change
This lesson provides students with a deeper understanding of climate change processes and scientific methods, while addressing key areas of the KS3 Science curriculum.
**Curriculum links **
Science KS3
Earth and atmosphere:
The composition of the atmosphere
The production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate
Evidence for past climate change
Working scientifically:
Using evidence to support conclusions
Analysing data and graphs
Investigation skills
This lesson introduces students to the concept of ecosystem services, with a focus on the ocean environment. Students will explore the vital benefits that healthy ocean ecosystems provide to all humans, particularly coastal communities, and examine the impacts of climate change and resource exploitation on these services.
Key lesson components include:
Understanding the concept of ecosystem goods and services
Exploring specific ecosystem services provided by ocean environments
Investigating human impacts on ocean ecosystem services
Examining case studies of coastal communities affected by ecosystem degradation
Reflecting on the fairness and sustainability of ocean resource exploitation
The lesson incorporates engaging activities such as mind mapping, cause-and-effect diagramming, and group presentations. It aligns with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of human-environment interactions, resource management, and sustainability.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Explain the concept of ecosystem goods and services, with a focus on the ocean
Discuss human impacts on ocean ecosystem services
Describe challenges faced by coastal communities due to ecosystem degradation
Reflect on the fairness and sustainability of ocean resource exploitation
This thought-provoking lesson encourages students to consider the interconnectedness of human well-being and ocean health, fostering critical thinking about environmental sustainability and social justice issues.
Curriculum links
Geography KS3
Understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, environments, and the climate
Economic activity
Locational knowledge of environmental regions
Cross-curricular connections
Science: Relationships in an ecosystem, environmental changes, and effects on living things
This engaging lesson takes students on a journey through the history of ocean and climate science, policy, and activism. By creating a timeline, students will explore the interconnections between scientific discoveries, policy decisions, and public action in addressing ocean-climate issues.
Key lesson components include:
Exploring the historical development of our understanding of ocean-climate systems
Creating a multi-track timeline of key events in science, policy, and activism
Analysing connections between scientific discoveries, policy changes, and public action
Identifying and discussing success stories in ocean-climate protection efforts
The lesson centres around a collaborative timeline creation activity, supplemented by group presentations and class discussions. It aligns with KS3 Geography and Science curricula, covering aspects of environmental history, scientific progress, and civic engagement.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Identify key scientific discoveries related to ocean-climate systems
Understand how these discoveries have influenced policy decisions
Recognise the role of ocean-climate focused activism in driving change
Appreciate success stories in ocean-climate action
This thought-provoking lesson encourages students to see the big picture of ocean-climate issues, fostering an understanding of how science, policy, and public action interact to address global environmental challenges.
Curriculum links
Geography KS3
How human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments
How human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems
Analyse and draw conclusions from geographical data, using multiple sources of increasingly complex information
Cross-curricular connections
Science: scientific attitudes connecting research and policy
PSHE: living in wider world
This engaging lesson introduces students to the complex world of ocean geography, tracing the evolution of our understanding from ancient times to modern oceanography. Students will explore various ways of classifying and mapping our oceans, considering both biophysical characteristics and human-oriented divisions.
Key lesson components include:
Examining historical perspectives on ocean exploration and mapping
Understanding the ocean’s role in the broader Earth system
Analyzing different methods of dividing and classifying the ocean
Debating the implications of these divisions for ocean management and conservation
The lesson incorporates a variety of activities, including class discussions, map analysis, and group work. It aligns with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of physical geography, cartography, and human-environment interactions.
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Describe key moments in the history of ocean exploration and oceanography
Explain how the ocean connects to other Earth systems
Identify and explain various methods of dividing and classifying the ocean
Discuss the implications of ocean divisions on future management and conservation
Curriculum links
Geography KS3
Locational knowledge of environmental regions
Physical geography weather and climate, hydrology
Understanding how human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems
Interpret a range of maps, globes and GIS to interpret and analyse places
Cross-curricular connections
Science: study of the earth and atmosphere
History: study of the impacts of European exploration
This engaging nine-lesson unit for KS3 Geography introduces students to crucial aspects of ocean science and climate change, providing a comprehensive exploration of one of the 21st century’s most pressing issues. Covering 70% of Earth’s surface and absorbing over 90% of excess heat from global warming, the ocean plays a vital role in our planet’s systems and human livelihoods.
Lesson Progression:
Lesson 1 Mapping the Ocean
Introduces ocean classification and mapping, emphasising interconnectedness.
Lesson 2 Climate Change - Past to Present
Explores climate science fundamentals and research methods.
Lesson 3 The Carbon Cycle
Examines the Earth’s carbon cycle and blue carbon concept.
Lesson 4 Climate Impacts
Investigates effects on vulnerable ecosystems like the Arctic and coral reefs.
Lesson 5 How We Use the Ocean
Explores ecosystem services and human impacts.
Lesson 6 Ocean Resources - Human Impact Case Studies
Focuses on the continental shelf and resource management.
Lesson 7 Nature-based Climate Solutions
Compares carbon sequestration in various ecosystems.
Lesson 8 Climate Action, Policy & Science
Traces the history of ocean-climate understanding and action.
Lesson 9 Ocean and Climate Unit Assessment
Summative assessment of key concepts and applications.
Throughout the unit, students develop skills in:
Analysing maps and data
Understanding complex Earth systems
Evaluating human-environment interactions
Critical thinking about sustainability and conservation
The lessons align with KS3 Geography curriculum requirements, covering locational knowledge, physical and human geography, and geographical skills. Cross-curricular connections with Science, Maths, and PSHE enrich the learning experience.
By the end of the unit, students will have a comprehensive understanding of ocean-climate systems, their importance, and the challenges they face. They’ll be equipped to think critically about environmental issues and consider potential solutions, fostering a sense of global citizenship and environmental stewardship.
This comprehensive lesson grounds students in the fundamentals of climate science, exploring the processes that shape our planet’s climate and the methods scientists use to study climate change. Students will engage in a range of activities that bring climate science to life, developing their understanding of both natural and human-induced climate drivers.
Key lesson components include:
Exploring the fundamental factors that influence Earth’s climate systems
Investigating natural climate drivers and distinguishing them from human influences
Learning about proxy evidence and how scientists reconstruct past climates
Visualising the greenhouse effect through interactive activities
Analysing real climate data to develop critical thinking and data interpretation skills
This lesson aligns closely with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of locational knowledge, physical geography, and climate processes. It also provides valuable cross-curricular links with Science, particularly in the areas of Earth science and energy.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Explain the basic factors influencing Earth’s climate
Describe the concept of climate change and its various drivers
Outline methods scientists use to study past climates
Demonstrate improved skills in analyzing and interpreting climate data
Curriculum links
Geography KS3
Locational knowledge of environmental regions
Physical geography weather and climate, hydrology
Cross-curricular connections
Science: Earth and atmosphere; energy
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.
Fully-resourced lesson developing classification skills using the amazing life in seagrass meadows.
This lesson takes your class on an underwater adventure to the seagrass meadows off Sicily and brings marine biology to life in the KS2 classroom.
Students will take the role of junior marine biologists:
Dive into a hidden world: Take a virtual plunge into the seagrass meadows surrounding Sicily, and discover this lesser-known but incredibly important underwater habitat teeming with life.
Become sea creature detectives: Equip your young explorers with the tools to identify and classify the diverse array of creatures calling seagrass meadows home. From fish to crustaceans to reptiles, students will sharpen their observation skills and learn to spot key characteristics.
Master the art of classification: Guide your class through the exciting process of grouping sea creatures based on observable features.
Start to use classification keys: Introduce the concept of classification keys in a fun, hands-on way. Students will feel like real scientists as they use these tools to identify and categorize the unique inhabitants of seagrass meadows.
Uncover nature’s secrets: As they explore this underwater world, students will also learn about the crucial role seagrass plays in our oceans and climate, connecting this lesson to broader environmental themes.
This lesson brilliantly aligns with the KS2 Science curriculum, focusing on classification skills and the use of keys. It offers a perfect blend of scientific inquiry and environmental awareness, encouraging students to think critically about biodiversity and ecosystems.
By the end of this underwater expedition, your students will:
Confidently identify key features of seagrass habitats and their inhabitants
Demonstrate improved skills in grouping organisms based on observable characteristics
Show proficiency in using classification keys to identify marine life
See the full Ocean Heroes KS2 unit on TES.
Curriculum links
Science KS2
• Group organisms based on characteristics
• Use classification keys