Our corner of the ocean, the North East Atlantic, is home to incredibly diverse habitats and species. Discover the wonders of our ocean and why a healthy ocean is important not just to marine life, but all life on Earth. Explore how your school is connected to the ocean, and describe the five parts of the ocean. Students will also learn why the ocean is salty and what causes the tides. Includes fact file to support teaching, What did the ocean ever do for us? video, ocean map, water cycle illustration, and links to follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 1 in the Amazing Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/amazing-ocean/#1-introducing-the-ocean

Suitable for: Key Stage 2 Timing: This Learning Outline is designed to be split into several lessons depending on the age and ability of students as well as the length of lessons. Curriculum Links: English - Talking and Listening, Reading Computing Science About the activity An introduction to the biggest fish in our sea and the second biggest in the world, the Basking Shark. Students will use resources from our Cool Seas Explorer Centre Online classroom (Ocean Giants section) available at www.mcsuk.org/coolseas, to investigate why Basking Sharks are endangered. In groups they will then produce a short film using digital software (e.g. Windows Moviemaker, iMovie) to promote Basking Shark conservation. The best video should be shared with MCS at education@mcsuk.org with details of the class and school. If possible student films should also be shared on school social media pages to share the learning with a real audience. For other free teaching resources visit www.mcsuk.org/coolseas.

A PDF information sheet about some of the different fish species consumed in the UK, including how some species are caught, types of fish farming, and different kinds of fishing gear. Lots of images are included in this visual resource, and there’s a match-up activity where the type of fish and its most popular commercial use are paired.

This lesson introduces the idea of sustainable food. Students will look at where seafood comes from then analyse and present data on the most common types of seafood here in the UK. Includes fact file to support teaching, shopping list template, data analysis worksheet, and links to follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 1 in Sustainable Seafood series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/sustainable-seafood/#1-what-do-we-eat-and-where-does-it-come-from

This lesson for older students takes a look into fish farms and whether they can be a sustainable source of seafood, exploring fish life cycles, farm management and community viewpoints. Includes fact file to support teaching, salmon lifecycle activity, poster, community viewpoint letter templates, and links to follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 3 in Sustainable Seafood series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/sustainable-seafood/#3-can-you-really-farm-fish

What is climate change and how does it impact our ocean? With this lesson, get students thinking about what climate change is, how it’s negatively affecting our seas around the world, and what they can do to help. There a number of exciting activities to choose from: students could run experiments to investigate ocean acidification or how photosynthesis is impacted by a warming ocean; discuss how their lives connect to the ocean with our climate change statements; and write an ocean-conscious diary entry. Includes fact files to support teaching, image reel, activity instructions, worksheets and links to videos and follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 5 in Protect the Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/protect-the-ocean/

There are risks and threats to the environment from human activities that need to be managed carefully. With so much human activity at sea, it’s important we protect our ocean to ensure it has a healthy future. Through a creative, group-based, activity students will learn about one way our ocean is safeguarded: Marine Protected Areas. Includes fact files to support teaching, activities, worksheets, and links to follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 4 in Protect the Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/protect-the-ocean/

Fishing is an important industry in the UK. In this games-led session, explore different fishing methods and management measures aimed at making seafood more sustainable. Students will learn how ocean-friendly fishing helps protect our seas and wildlife, economies and livelihoods, and helps provide safe food as part of a healthy diet Includes fact files to support teaching, activities, worksheets, and game instructions. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 3 in Protect the Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/protect-the-ocean/

This lesson focuses on the many problems wet wipes and other items cause when flushed down the toilet - the ‘unflushables’. Students will conduct an experiment focusing on materials and their properties, going on to create a campaign for change in their school or community. Includes fact file to support teaching, image reel, activities, and links to follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 1 in Litter Campaigns series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/marine-litter/#campaigns

The Plastic Challenge is the Marine Conservation Society’s annual month-long challenge to avoid and reduce consumption of single-use plastics. In this lesson, students will consider how they, your school and the local community can reduce their environmental impact by helping to reduce the amount of litter being produced, used and disposed of. Includes fact file to support teaching, activities, Waste Funnel diagram, Plastic Challenge planning sheet, and links to follow-up learning. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 5 in Marine Litter series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/marine-litter/#5-the-plastic-challenge

Our actions affect the health of the ocean no matter where we live. As individuals, schools and communities, we can all do our bit to help take care of our seas. With this lesson, get students inspired to set up a school initiative to work towards completing our ocean manifesto. Includes fact files to support teaching, image reel, activities and ocean manifesto editable poster. Linked to national curriculum in England, Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, Curriculum for Wales, and Eco-Schools topics. Lesson 6 in Protect the Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/protect-the-ocean/