This #GoogleExpeditions lesson develops student skills understanding of biomes and ecosystems.
This introductory lesson introduces students to the main biomes around the planet, their features and locations. Further in-depth lessons on the different biomes are listed below.
Google Expeditions are immersive 360 degree photo stories designed for use in the classroom. For more see: https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/.
This is Google Expeditions Lesson is number 1 of a 4 lesson sequence. It can be used as a standalone lesson or in conjunction with others listed below (links go to Google Docs versions of the lessons).
Lesson 1: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems https://goo.gl/0eMtoz
Lesson 2: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems: Tundra and Taiga https://goo.gl/L6cpjH
Lesson 3: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest and Temperate Forests https://goo.gl/wGM97d
Lesson 4: Google Expeditions: Biomes & Ecosystems: Savannah and Desert https://goo.gl/sBrZzi
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Introduce your students to the oceans! A 60-min lesson with practical activities suitable for 11-14 year olds, replicating the work of scientists on the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010-11. The scientists camped on the frozen sea ice for two months to examine what changes are occurring to phytoplankton and zooplankton in the oceans’ current state, as well as if they were to become more acidic.
Includes three simple practical activities:
what’s happening
the impact it may have on specific marine organisms
the impact on the larger food web.
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Students will learn about the link between latitude and climate, applying key terms such as equator and climate zones. They will also look at the influence of the ocean on climate and why the UK is warmer than it ‘should be’.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 7 The Atlantic Ocean and climate with Prof Penny Holliday
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 7a World city cards
Student Sheet 7b World climate zones
Student Sheet 7c Explaining the UK climate
Student Sheet 7d The ocean and climate
It forms Lesson 7 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This introductory lesson looks at the scientific processes and concepts of the carbon cycle.
This will enable students to grow prior knowledge of food chains and feeding relationships to understanding the drivers of environmental change.
The lesson starts with an introduction to what carbon is, followed by a scaffolded understanding of the carbon cycle, reinforced by a fun activity.
The lesson will close by analysing how an imbalance in the carbon cycle is leading to increased carbon in the atmosphere, which is driving the climate crisis.
An interactive carbon cycle diagram complements the lesson.
Learning outcomes
List where carbon can be found
Describe four basic processes of the carbon cycle
Demonstrate their understanding of carbon stores and movement between them
Link increasing carbon levels in the atmosphere with climate change
Knowledge organiser covering the carbon cycle and climate change.
This includes the following sections:
Carbon cycle processes
Where is the carbon?
Climate change key words
How has human activity changed where carbon is located?
The greenhouse effect
Climate change over time
Atmospheric CO2 over time
Evidence for climate change
This lesson reviews students’ knowledge about the carbon cycle within the context of the study of ecosystems for GSCE Science (Biology) and Geography, as well as the changing composition of the Earth’s atmosphere for GCSE Science (Chemistry). It covers the carbon cycle and major carbon stores and fluxes. The lesson combines a digital interactive carbon cycle diagram to reinforce knowledge of the processes in the carbon cycle, with a hands-on activity to introduce students to the size of the major carbon stores and fluxes. Exam style questions and a knowledge organiser provide a good revision focus.
Learning outcomes
Review basic processes in the carbon cycle
Develop fuller understanding of the carbon cycle
Compare the sizes of the major carbon stores
Demonstrate their understanding of carbon fluxes and how changes have contributed to climate change
This group activity is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the carbon cycle. It is aimed at upper primary classes, as it represents a simplified model of how carbon moves. Students will develop their understanding of how carbon moves between the atmosphere, plants, and animals, as well as how the burning of fossil fuels over the past 250 years has caused an imbalance in the carbon cycle.
This activity focuses on the processes in the global carbon cycle. It can be played individually or in small groups of two to four. Each player will move their counter around the board using the instructions. Players will use a dice to see how their carbon counter will move around the different stores in the carbon cycle.
This activity teaches students about the amount of carbon in the different stores, e.g. ocean, atmosphere, and fossil fuels. It is a group activity designed for between 4 and 6 students. Students will also learn about how carbon passes from one store to another.
This lesson supports students to develop the ‘data handling’ component of working scientifically for GCSE. It is based on current research being conducted by Exeter University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
This lesson develops students’ skills in data handling and presentation.
Having learnt about microplastics and zooplankton separately, the next two lessons sees students test the hypothesis that zooplankton eat microplastics.
This full lesson includes:
Lesson Overview & Teacher Guidance
Slideshow 5 Do zooplankton eat microplastics?
Student Sheet 5a Do zooplankton eat microplastics? (Practical)
Student Sheet 5b Do zooplankton eat microplastics? (Data analysis)
Activity Overview 5 Do zooplankton eat microplastics ?
Answer Sheet for Student Sheet 5b
This is Lesson 5 of 7 in the Plankton, Plastics and Poo unit of work, which is based on current research being conducted at the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The unit consists of enquiry-based lessons which support students to work scientifically by simulating the researchers’ investigations, and encourages students to the use their findings to have a wider impact.
The resource uses innovative methods to bring cutting edge science to the classroom, including:
- Using real field and laboratory data.
- Practical investigations that replicate the work of the scientists.
- Using social media to connect with the scientists.
- The opportunity to connect with scientists through Skype in the classroom events.
All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
In this KS2 science lesson, students travel to the Southern Ocean and the waters around Antarctica to study penguins. Students will learn about the adaptations that allow penguins to survive. This lesson can be used as an introductory lesson to the topic of evolution for upper Key Stage 2 students, which is the focus of Mission 10
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 10 The Southern Ocean and penguin adaptation with Dr Norman Ratcliffe
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 10 Penguin adaptations (students are directed to use an online interactive Thinglink to complete their research)
It forms Lesson 10 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Using the context of a voyage around the world’s ocean, students will learn about presentation skills including delivery and slide design. Students will deliver their presentation to the class, receiving feedback from their peers.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 12: Captain’s log
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 12a: Presentation storyboard
Student Sheet 12b: Presentation peer assessment
It forms Lesson 12 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This lesson introduces students to the water cycle. They will consider whether it rains more in the UK or the Arctic and then carry out a practical to link the ideas of temperature and evaporation.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 6: The Arctic Ocean and the water cycle with Prof Penny Holliday
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Evaporation rates practical
Student Sheet 6a: Water cycle card sort
Student Sheet 6b: Water cycle data activity
Student Sheet 6c: Water cycle exam style questions
Mark scheme: Water cycle exam style questions
It forms Lesson 6 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
A numeracy-based geography full lesson looking at the marine economy. Useful full lesson resource that ticks off the need to teach marine topics in KS2 geography and develops numeracy skills at the same time.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 4: Using our sea with Jennifer Gomez Molina
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 4a: Using our seas
Student Sheet 4b: How much is the sea worth (in two different age groups)
Student Sheet 4c: Using our seas poster
Multimedia Slideshow Marine economy (animated ppt showing aspects of UK marine economy)
It forms Lesson 4 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students explore how penguins might have evolved to suit past environmental changes. The core of this lesson is the Penguin Evolution Game, which simulates the six stages of adaptation that lead to evolution.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 11: The Southern Ocean and penguin evolution with Dr Michael Dunn
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Penguin evolution script (student-friendly script to describe the six stages of adaptation that lead to evolution)
Activity Overview: Penguin evolution game (instructions for running this classroom simulation)
Student Sheet 11a: Penguin evolution game cards
Student Sheet 11b: Penguin evolution card sort
Student Sheet 11c: Storyboard cloze task
Student Sheet 11d: Storyboard template
It forms Lesson 11 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Learn all about the amazing diversity of life in the seas around the UK. This is a fun and interactive lesson that sees students match different examples of marine life with the different marine habitats. Students are directed to use an online Thinglink activity for group investigation during this lesson.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 3 UK marine life with Dr Ceri Lewis and Dr Helen Findlay
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 3a What lives where
Student Sheet 3b Marine life profiles
Student Sheet 2c Marine habitats life poster (to be completed from Lesson 2 of this unit)
It forms Lesson 3 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This lesson introduces students to the diversity of habitats in the seas around the UK and looks at the different conditions experienced across a variety of habitats from the deep sea to rock pools.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 2 UK marine habitats with Dr Susana Lincoln
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 2a Marine habitats diagram
Student Sheet 2b Marine habitats and conditions cards
Student Sheet 2c Marine habitats life poster
Activty Overview Dictogloss of marine habitats
It forms Lesson 2 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This classification lesson is based around an expedition to the coral reef. Students learn about classification through practical sorting activities and then apply their knowledge to the amazing animals on the coral reef and some of the oddities that are found there. What is a coral? Is a dolphin more closely related to a shark or a cow? More able students can also develop their own classification key.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 8: The Indian Ocean and classification with Sheena Talma
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Sorting objects practical
Student Sheet 8a: Classifying coral life
Student Sheet 8b: Making a key
Student Sheet 8c: Classification card sort
Student Sheet 8d: Coral life fact sheet
It forms Lesson 8 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Our Ocean Planet is a full unit of work covering all aspects of the ocean across Key Stage 2. Each lesson is written with an ocean expert - scientist, advocate or explorer (great for STEM careers). Together they form a learning voyage around the world, discovering more about out ocean planet through core aspects of the science and geography programmes of study as well as developing numeracy and literacy skills.
The unit works in two parts. First, students will explore the UK seas learning about the names and locations of marine places, marine habitats and the diversity of marine life, as well as the contribution of the sea to the UK economy. Students then go on a global ocean voyage to each of the main oceans, learning about diverse marine topics from the water cycle in the Arctic to evolution in the Southern Ocean and classification on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean.
A full list of topics is below and the downloads include the unit booklet with lesson plans, student sheets, practical guidance and subject updates. Slideshows for each lesson are separate downloads.
Mission 1: UK seas with Paul Rose
Mission 2: UK marine habitats with Dr Susana Lincoln
Mission 3: UK marine life with Dr Ceri Lewis & Dr Helen Findlay
Mission 4: Using our seas with Jennifer Gomez Molina
Mission 5: Our ocean voyage with Prof Alex Rogers
Mission 6: The Arctic Ocean and water cycle with Prof Mark Brandon
Mission 7: The Atlantic Ocean and climate with Prof Penny Holliday
Mission 8: The Indian Ocean and classification with Sheena Talma
Mission 9: The Pacific Ocean and plastic pollution with Jo Royle
Mission 10: The Southern Ocean and penguin adaptation with Dr Norman Ratcliffe
Mission 11: The Southern Ocean and penguin evolution with Dr Michael Dunn
Mission 12: Captain’s log
This is an introductory lesson to the world’s oceans. Students will use map skills to name and locate the world’s oceans and learn about major marine landmarks, from the deepest point to the biggest tide and many places in between.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 5 Our ocean voyage with Prof Alex Rogers
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 5a World oceans map
Student Sheet 5b Marine wonders card sort
Student Sheet 5c Voyage map template
It forms Lesson 5 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.