Environmental concerns -duration 7/8 weeks

General aim: To involve pupils in the understanding that we often misuse the environment and its resources. To prevent this there must be conservation and protection. To introduce the students to the idea of sustainability.

ICT: Video - Life in the freezer. Use of internet and the computer to help with project work on endangered species.

Key Topic Content/Skills

Guidance Notes

Literacy/Numeracy

Introduction

Glossary and title page

Pupils design a title page to illustrate this topic.

Pupils write a glossary of key words to be used in this topic.

Glossary at beginning of topic will familiarise the pupils with the keywords to be used, their meanings and spellings.

Keywords can be displayed around the classroom.

The environment

 

Why do we have to plan and manage the environment?

Why are we concerned about the environment?

Connections p. 66 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary

Extension work - sheet 4.1

Definition of environment – brainstorm what pollutes it.

Definition of natural resources – brainstorm what wastes them.

Game to show role of conservation, planning and management.

How can we care for the environment?

Who cares for the environment? Connections p. 68

Qu. 1 & 2 Summary

Extension work - Extras p. 69

Discuss environmental problems/solutions at a local level – classroom, school, kitchen waste etc.

Role of environmental groups and what they do.

What needs protecting?

Why does wildlife need protecting? Connections p. 70 Qu. 1 - 3 Summary

Extension work - sheet 4.2

Definitions of key words – endangered, extinct – with examples.

Give examples and reasons for endangered species.

T-shirt & poster exercise.

Antarctica

Why does Antarctica need protecting? Connections p. 72

Qu. 1 - 4 Summary

Video - Life in the freezer

Case study – Antarctica.

Location, description, problems, solutions.

Video to reinforce the remoteness of Antarctica and the need for it to be preserved.

Project work

Project work on endangered species – see instruction sheet

 

Project work in groups’ or individually.

Pupils to explore the idea of endangered species in detail.

To explain why some animals or land is endangered and what can be done to prevent it happen.

Demonstration of finished piece to the rest of the class.

Resources

What are renewable and non-renewable resources?

Connections p. 74 Qu. 1 & 2 Summary

Extension work

Definition of energy – non-renewable and renewable.

List advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Role play/debate - non-renewable v renewable

Assessment

Self assessment sheet and target setting

Assessment based on sheets 4.1 & 4.2

Use of self-assessment sheets to highlight gaps in the pupils learning and set targets for the next topic.

Assessment sheets 4.1 & 4.2

Pupils to record their test scores against the class average.