Working in small groups, students will learn about and sort animals by their features and characteristics. By the end of the activity, students will be able to define invertebrates and vertebrates, and name and describe characteristics of marine mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. Includes image cards for matching and sorting game, 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 7 in the Amazing Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/amazing-ocean/#7-grouping-animals

A visual PDF information sheet illustrating the lifecycle of marine turtles, including brief descriptions of the stages of mating, nesting, hatchlings, growing up, and the lost years. Each life stage is numbered and accompanied by a description, and are all placed around a central image of a turtle.

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 resource matching up a detailed image of different underwater creatures found in the UK with their names on the second page, including different species of jellyfish, starfish, and anemones.

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.

In this activity-led session students will discover some of the weird and wonderful animals living in the deep sea, and how they have adapted to the harsh conditions. Activities include paired work, class scientific observation, group measuring exercises and analysing images. At the end of the lesson, students can design their own deep sea creature to include the adaptation features covered. Includes fact file to support teaching, deep sea image reel, giant creature cards, 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 the Amazing Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/amazing-ocean/#4-life-in-the-deep

Rockpools are fascinating environments to explore. This lesson involves taking your class on a trip to local rockpools. Students will focus on habitat conditions, adaptations and grouping animals. This lesson provides pre- and post-activities to increase learning opportunities. Includes fact file to support teaching, rockpool image reel, rockpool spotter sheet, seashore code, video, 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 5 in the Amazing Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/amazing-ocean/#5-outdoor-rockpool-explorers

Bring the seaside to the classroom through a virtual rockpool exploration. Students will study these fascinating habitats, exploring the conditions and adaptation features and begin to group animals. Includes fact file to support teaching, rockpool image reel, rockpool spotter sheet, video, 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 6 in the Amazing Ocean series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/amazing-ocean/#6-indoor-rockpool-explorers

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

Artivism is the practice or idea of taking social, environmental or political action through art. In this lesson, students will see how environmental artists have used art to raise awareness of marine litter, and create an artivism piece to raise awareness amongst your school and local community of the issue. Includes fact file to support teaching, Artivism presentation with artist images, 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 6 in Marine Litter 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

Plastic waste impacts our marine environment in a number of ways. In this lesson, students will sort litter items into their raw materials, look into properties and degradation times of various litter items and consider the effects this has on the environment. They’ll also create a fair test, develop a hypothesis, observe changes, record date and draw conclusions. Includes fact file to support teaching, Litter Timeline activity, investigation 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 3 in Marine Litter series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/marine-litter/#3-the-plastic-plague

Using this lesson, students will experience litter in the environment first-hand by taking part in a litter survey. Results will then be analysed, looking at the sources and properties of litter, considering how it could reach the sea, and learning how impacts the environment. Includes fact file to support teaching, activities, survey worksheet, health and safety guidance, 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 Marine Litter series: https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/fun-learning/primary-learning/teaching-resources/ks2-p7/marine-litter/#4-litter-in-the-environment

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/