The perfect place for all your EYFS, KS1 and KS2 resources, Explore Education aims to provide you with amazing, outstanding lessons that help you to shine. Each lesson often has detailed planning, PowerPoints and differentiated resources. So whether you are looking for a maths lesson to get you through your next interview, an English lesson that will help you impress OFSTED or a history, science, RE, PSHE or PE unit to wow your class, this is the shop for you!
The perfect place for all your EYFS, KS1 and KS2 resources, Explore Education aims to provide you with amazing, outstanding lessons that help you to shine. Each lesson often has detailed planning, PowerPoints and differentiated resources. So whether you are looking for a maths lesson to get you through your next interview, an English lesson that will help you impress OFSTED or a history, science, RE, PSHE or PE unit to wow your class, this is the shop for you!
This lesson focuses on the layers of the rainforest, perfect for engaging Year 3-6 students in learning about rainforest habitats, animal and plant adaptations, and the unique characteristics of each layer. The resource is designed to provide a comprehensive and interactive experience for pupils to explore this fascinating topic.
What’s Included:
✔ Lesson plan with clear learning objectives and a step-by-step guide
✔ Interactive PowerPoint to support visual learning and discussion
✔ Rainforest fact cards for plenary activity and independent research
✔ Differentiated worksheets, including labeling, descriptive writing, and fill-in-the-blanks activities
✔ Answer sheet for quick assessments and feedback
Lesson Overview / Structure:
★ Starter
Introduce the four layers of the rainforest with a brief overview and interactive questions.
★ Main Activity
Use the PowerPoint to explore each layer’s characteristics, and engage students with the worksheets for hands-on learning.
★ Plenary
Reinforce learning with the rainforest fact cards, encouraging independent research and class discussion.
Why It’s Useful:
✔ Curriculum-aligned with KS2 science on living things and their habitats
✔ Differentiated worksheets to cater to all abilities
✔ Includes everything needed for a complete lesson, saving time on preparation
✔ Designed by a teacher with years of classroom experience
Suggested Use Cases:
Ideal for KS2 science lessons, Year 3-6 students studying habitats, rainforest ecosystems, animal and plant adaptations, and environmental investigations.
Search Tags:
KS2 science | rainforest layers lesson | Year 3 geography | rainforest adaptations | KS2 habitats | living things science | outstanding KS2 geography lesson
This free lesson is an excellent starting point for a topic on mountains, ideal for kicking off a geography unit on continents or focusing on mountain ranges worldwide. It provides a strong foundation for children to explore geographical features and their locations on the globe.
What’s included:
✔ Lesson plan
✔ PowerPoint to guide the lesson
✔ KWL Grid to assess prior knowledge
✔ Mountains Table Template
✔ Previous Knowledge worksheet
✔ World Map for labelling
Learning Objective (L.O.):
To be able to locate mountains in different continents.
Success Criteria:
✸ I can write facts about mountains.
✸ I can name the seven continents of the world.
✸ I can think of questions I want to know the answer to.
✸ I can identify mountain ranges on maps.
Perfect for:
Year 3, 4, 5, and 6
Geography lessons on mountains, continents, and physical features
Using atlases (including Google Earth) to explore mountain ranges
Creating an interactive learning experience for children with a focus on world maps
Search terms: geography lesson KS2 | mountains lesson KS2 | world maps for children | atlases KS2 | mountain ranges geography | continents geography lesson
Fully resourced | Ideal for global learning, cultural exploration, and cross-curricular lessons
Take your class on a virtual journey through France with this exciting 5-lesson unit, designed to bring French geography, culture, and lifestyle to life. Packed with engaging content and cross-curricular links, this unit is ideal for Year 3 to Year 6 students, perfect for the summer term, culture weeks, or global learning topics.
This comprehensive resource provides everything you need, including fully planned lessons with PowerPoints, worksheets, activities, and assessments. It’s curriculum-linked, requiring no additional planning – simply pick up and teach!
What’s Included:
x5 Lesson Plans: Detailed, step-by-step plans for each lesson, with clear learning objectives and success criteria.
x5 PowerPoints: Engaging slides for each lesson, featuring maps, pictures, and interactive content.
Worksheets & Activities: Differentiated worksheets to cater to different learning needs, including activities that focus on French landmarks, culture, and geography.
Assessments: Simple assessments to measure understanding and progress throughout the unit.
Key Learning Outcomes:
French Geography: Learn about the key geographical features of France, including regions, rivers, and landmarks.
Comparisons Between France and the UK: Compare French geography and lifestyle with that of the UK using maps, data, and discussions.
Cultural Exploration: Understand key aspects of French culture, including food, lifestyle, festivals, and traditions.
Cross-Curricular Connections: Integrate geography with language, history, and culture, fostering a deeper understanding of the world.
Lesson Overview:
Lesson 1: Introduction to French geography – regions, rivers, and landmarks.
Lesson 2: Comparing France with the UK using maps and data.
Lesson 3: Exploring French culture – food, festivals, and traditions.
Lesson 4: Famous places in France – Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and more.
Lesson 5: French lifestyle and how it differs from British life.
Why Choose This Resource?
Curriculum-Aligned: Fully supports the KS2 geography curriculum with a focus on global learning and cultural exploration.
Ready to Teach: Fully planned lessons with everything you need, including PowerPoints and differentiated resources.
Engaging and Informative: A fun and interactive way to explore French geography and culture, ideal for the summer term or a culture week.
Cross-Curricular: Links geography with other subjects such as history, language, and global citizenship.
Ideal For: KS2 Geography, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, French Culture, French Landmarks, Summer Term Geography, Geography Assessment, Global Learning, Cross-Curricular Geography.
This free EYFS reading sheet introduces rainforest-themed sight words to support early vocabulary development and reading skills. Designed for children aged 3–5, each word is paired with a clear illustration of a rainforest animal, plant, or insect to provide visual context and aid recognition.
What’s included:
✔ 1 printable rainforest sight word sheet
✔ Colourful illustrations to support understanding
✔ A variety of rainforest-themed words for early readers
How the resource is structured:
★ The sheet displays themed sight words in a clear, accessible format
★ Each word is supported by a matching image to help with comprehension
★ Can be used for matching games, vocabulary discussions, or display
Why it’s useful:
✔ Supports word recognition and topic vocabulary
✔ Reinforces cross-curricular learning with a rainforest theme
✔ Suitable for independent or group activities
✔ Easy to print and reuse across settings
Suggested use cases:
Perfect for EYFS classrooms, themed vocabulary work, continuous provision, or early reading practice linked to a rainforest topic.
Search tags: EYFS reading | rainforest vocabulary | sight word sheet | Reception literacy | early reading EYFS | rainforest animals | EYFS topic words | themed vocabulary sheet
Kick off your KS2 geography with a bang with this Fairtrade unit. There are five lessons and bonus resources to fill your half term with exciting and thought-provoking lessons.
This has previously been tested with Year 4 and Year 5 in a real school, however it is suitable and easily adaptable across Key Stage 2.
Each lesson comes with a detailed lesson plan with a starter, main input, main activity and plenary. There is also a PowerPoint with updated links and interesting questions to ask your class.
Lesson 1: L.O.: to understand what fair trade is and know where Fairtrade food comes from.
Success Criteria:
I can discuss what Fairtrade is.
I can explain why someone should buy Fairtrade products.
Lesson 2 L.O.: To be able to make a poster to persuade people to buy fair trade produce.
Success Criteria:
Know why fair trade products are 'a good buy’ and how they help some of the poorest people in the world.
Use persuasive language to encourage people to buy fair trade products
Lesson 3 L.O.: To know about some of the countries that make fairtrade goods and share information with others through drama
Success Criteria:
Know where my country is on a world map
Know about the people who live there, including their religion and languages
Know about the climate in my country
Be able to talk about fair trade projects in my country
Lesson 4 L.O.: To know about energy saving and how we can protect the planet through an effective speech.
Success Criteria:
I know where some of the energy used in my home comes from
I understand how energy is wasted at home and at school
I can say why we need to save energy
Lesson 5 L.O.: To be able to discuss open ended questions linked to the unfair distribution of water
Success Criteria:
Listen to others- don’t interrupt
If you want to talk, hold out your hand
Respond to what others have said
Try to join in
This unit includes:
✸ x5 Lesson plans
✸ x5 PowerPoints
✸ World map
✸ Fairtrade Packaging
✸ Story of a banana
✸ Cacao Tree Information Sheet
✸ Photos of Fairtrade workers
✸ Diary writing worksheet
✸ Poetry writing worksheet
✸ The journey of a raisin worksheet
✸ Discussion sentence starters
Have any issues with this resource or a request? Contact us directly for the quickest response at: explore_education@outlook.com
Tags: ofsted geography topic theme history countries world flags fair trade rights equality PSHE Key Stage Two y3 y4 y5 y6 year 3 year 6 discussion
A cross-curricular food unit exploring nutrition, sustainability, sourcing and more!
Looking for a fun, informative and fully resourced unit that combines geography and food technology? This comprehensive 8-lesson unit is perfect for Key Stage 2 and is packed with real-world connections to help pupils understand where food comes from, how it’s processed, and how our choices impact the planet.
What’s covered:
★ Food groups and balanced diets
★ The story of James Lind and the discovery of vitamins (Scurvy focus)
★ Food miles and the global journey of food products
★ The environmental and social impact of food choices
★ Fairtrade: what it means and why it matters
★ Ingredient sourcing and food processing
★ The history and geography of chocolate production
★ Developing food technology skills, evaluation and presentation
What’s included:
✔ 8 detailed lesson plans
✔ 8 engaging PowerPoint presentations
✔ Student-friendly worksheets and resources for each lesson
✔ Curriculum-linked objectives for Geography, DT and Science
✔ Web links to videos, images, and interactive tools for extended learning
Why choose this unit?
✔ Created by an experienced educator to align with national curriculum standards
✔ Ideal for project-based learning, enrichment weeks, or cross-curricular topics
✔ Differentiated content suitable for a range of KS2 year groups
✔ Saves hours of planning time with everything ready to use
✔ Great for encouraging debate, critical thinking and teamwork
Perfect for topics on:
Sustainability and global citizenship
Healthy eating and wellbeing
The journey of food from farm to fork
Geography through real-world contexts
Also available:
KS2 Dig for Victory – 5 Outstanding Food Tech Lessons
KS2 Chocolate Unit – 5 Geography Lessons
KS2 Fairtrade Unit – 5 Lessons
Tags: KS2, geography, food, nutrition, food miles, food technology, balanced diet, Fairtrade, chocolate, sustainability, farm to fork, environment, global issues, healthy eating, key stage 2, lesson plans, cross-curricular, DT
Fully resourced English lesson with a geography link – ideal for Year 4 or LKS2
This flexible and engaging interview or observation lesson guides pupils through writing a diary entry from the perspective of someone who has climbed Mount Everest. Rated Outstanding by an OFSTED inspector, the lesson combines strong writing outcomes with cross-curricular links to geography.
Designed for 20 minutes to 1 hour, it’s suitable for interviews, formal observations, or high-quality classroom teaching.
What’s included:
✔ Detailed lesson plan with built-in differentiation
✔ PowerPoint presentation to guide the lesson and introduce Everest
✔ Starter activity to prompt imaginative thinking and build vocabulary
✔ Differentiated tasks for SEN, LA, MA and HA pupils
✔ Reflection prompt to support editing and improvement
Bonus freebie:
A set of fact sheets and visuals about world mountain ranges and rivers, which you could reference during your interview to show forward-thinking and curriculum planning (e.g. what the next lesson in the sequence could look like).
Why it works well:
✔ Clear links to geography topics such as Mountains and Extreme Earth
✔ Encourages high-quality writing through a vivid, real-world context
✔ Structured support for SEN and lower-attaining pupils
✔ Flexibility for timed interviews or observation slots
✔ Supports grammar objectives and descriptive writing skills
Perfect for:
KS2 English and geography cross-curricular lessons
Year 4 interview or observation lessons
LKS2 diary writing units
SPaG, grammar and descriptive writing development
Topic hooks for Mountains, Earth and space, or Around the World
Search terms: KS2 diary writing | Mount Everest lesson | English interview lesson | Ofsted observation | Year 4 diary entry | LKS2 mountains | geography and English cross-curricular | SEN writing task | extreme earth | English writing KS2 | grammar and description
Fully resourced for inquiry, creativity, and historical thinking | Ideal for Years 3–6 and Ofsted observations
Immerse your class in the fascinating world of the Bronze Age with this set of three high-quality history lessons. Designed for KS2 pupils, this unit supports chronological understanding, critical thinking, and engagement with historical evidence.
What’s included:
✔ 3 detailed lesson plans with clear learning objectives
✔ PowerPoints, activity sheets, fact files and visual resources
✔ High-quality images of artefacts and engaging video content
✔ Differentiated and creative tasks to support all learners
Lesson overview:
1. Unveiling the Bronze Age
Explore where the Bronze Age fits in the historical timeline and why it was a turning point. Pupils learn about the discovery of bronze and its impact on tools, trade, and daily life.
2. Life in the Bronze Age
Step into the shoes of people from the past with a focus on daily life, customs, and notable archaeological finds. Pupils learn about Marghwen’s cist and the Amesbury Archer, using artistic responses to connect with history.
3. Evidence from the Past
Develop historical skills by examining and categorising artefacts from the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages. Pupils investigate jewellery and create a Bronze Age fact file based on real evidence.
Why this unit stands out:
✔ Encourages critical thinking through artefact-based learning
✔ Combines discussion, visual resources, and creative expression
✔ Fully adaptable for different ability levels and teaching contexts
✔ Minimal prep required – ready-to-teach resources
Perfect for:
KS2 history lessons (Y3–Y6)
Chronology and prehistory units
Cross-curricular links with literacy and art
Ofsted observations or interview lessons
Search terms: KS2 Bronze Age | Year 3–6 history planning | Bronze Age artefacts lesson | Amesbury Archer resource | prehistoric Britain | outstanding history lessons | primary history inquiry | Marghwen cist discovery
This animal-themed numbers display resource features zebras numbered from 0 to 100, ideal for EYFS and KS1 classrooms. Perfect for jungle or safari themed displays, maths areas, role play corners, or creating number lines and counting activities.
What’s Included:
✔ Printable PDF with numbers 0–100 on individual zebra images
✔ Option to select pages for counting in 2s, 5s, 10s, or full number lines
✔ Suitable for displays, role play areas, and maths activities
Lesson Overview / Structure:
★ Display and Visual Learning
Build a full number line from 0 to 100 across the classroom
Choose specific numbers to support counting patterns such as 2s, 5s, or 10s
Add to maths working walls, jungle-themed displays, or safari-themed role play corners
★ Active Classroom Use
Sequence numbers with pupils
Create interactive games such as missing number activities or counting challenges
Why It’s Useful:
✔ Supports number recognition and counting skills
✔ Flexible use for multiple counting patterns
✔ Fits well with jungle, safari, or animal-themed classroom topics
✔ Easy to adapt for different group activities
Suggested Use Cases:
Ideal for EYFS and KS1 classrooms, maths displays, number lines, jungle and animal themed role play areas, and counting activities across the curriculum.
Search Tags:
Numbers 0–100 | zebra numbers display | EYFS maths resource | KS1 number line | jungle theme classroom | animal themed maths | counting in 2s 5s 10s | back to school maths
Create a calm and welcoming learning space with this rainforest-themed classroom display set, ideal for EYFS, KS1, and KS2. Designed to support a soothing environment, it is particularly helpful for pupils with sensory needs and SEND. Perfect for back-to-school classroom decoration or topic displays.
What’s Included:
✔ Bunting – blank and alphabet versions
✔ Days of the week posters
✔ Drawer labels (plus blank versions)
✔ Alphabet letter squares (plus blanks)
✔ Number squares up to 31 (plus blanks)
✔ Months of the year display
✔ Daily schedule display
✔ Table number signs
✔ Voice level meter poster
✔ ‘Welcome to…’ door signs (Nursery to Year 6)
✔ Binder covers
✔ Editable labels
Lesson Overview / Structure:
★ Setting up your classroom
Use bunting, door signs, and wall displays to create a rainforest-themed classroom environment.
Apply number squares, alphabet squares, and months of the year displays to support daily routines.
Display the voice level meter and schedule posters to promote classroom management and consistency.
★ Adapting for sensory needs
The calming colours and nature theme are designed to create a relaxed atmosphere, suitable for pupils who benefit from sensory-friendly spaces.
Why It’s Useful:
✔ Creates an engaging and calming classroom environment
✔ Supports daily routines with visual prompts
✔ Includes editable options for flexibility
✔ Suitable for EYFS, KS1, and KS2 classrooms
✔ Helps meet the needs of pupils with SEND
Suggested Use Cases:
Ideal for back-to-school classroom setup, rainforest-themed topics, EYFS classrooms, KS1 and KS2 displays, and sensory-friendly learning environments.
Search Tags:
rainforest classroom display | jungle theme classroom | EYFS classroom decor | KS1 display resources | KS2 rainforest display | back to school classroom setup | sensory friendly classroom | display labels bunting | rainforest topic classroom | Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6
Bring the power of tornadoes to your classroom with this hands-on KS2 geography lesson, perfect for Years 3-6. Using simple materials, this engaging, curriculum-aligned resource helps students understand how tornadoes form while delivering a memorable lesson that stands out in observations.
What You Get
Detailed lesson plan with clear objectives and success criteria
Engaging PowerPoint to guide the lesson with vivid visuals
Worksheets, word bank, and extension task for varied activities
Pictures of the “tornado in a cup” experiment
Plenary ideas to wrap up learning
Learning Objectives
Understand what a tornado is and how it forms
Create a tornado in a glass using lemonade and salt
Explain tornado formation based on the practical task
Develop quiz-style questions using tornado facts from class resources
Who It’s For
KS2 teachers (Years 3-6) teaching geography, weather, or climate
NQTs or ECTs preparing for Ofsted or interview lessons
Educators seeking practical, observation-ready geography resources
Why It Works
Captivates students with a hands-on tornado experiment
Aligns with KS2 geography curriculum on weather and extreme Earth
Differentiates learning with worksheets, word banks, and extensions
Saves prep time with all materials included and easy-to-source items
Proven to impress in Ofsted observations
Great For
Teaching tornadoes and extreme weather in KS2
Delivering interactive geography lessons for observations
Engaging students in hands-on learning about climate
Instant download. Fully editable. Ready to teach.
Tags
KS2 tornadoes lesson, Years 3-6 geography, extreme weather, tornado facts, KS2 climate lessons, hands-on geography, Ofsted observation resource, primary teaching resources, weather and climate, tornado experiment, KS2 humanities
Dive into the world of maps with this dynamic KS2 geography lesson on latitude and longitude, crafted for Years 3-6. This ready-to-teach resource delivers an engaging, curriculum-aligned experience that helps students master map skills and impresses in observations.
What You Get
Interactive PowerPoint with clear visuals to explain latitude, longitude, the Equator, and the Tropics
Hands-on worksheets, including map-labeling tasks and sentence-writing activities
Detailed lesson plan with step-by-step guidance, objectives, and differentiated tasks
Catchy video song to reinforce the difference between latitude and longitude
WAGOLL examples and sentence starters to support all learners
Full set of resources: starter task, world map activity, writing task, success criteria, word bank, and more
Learning Objectives
Distinguish between weather and climate
Label and explain the significance of latitude, longitude, the Equator, and the Tropics
Understand the direction and purpose of these lines
Describe country locations using latitude and longitude
Who It’s For
KS2 teachers (Years 3-6) teaching geography or map skills
NQTs or ECTs preparing for interview lessons or observations
Educators seeking Ofsted-ready, engaging geography resources
Why It Works
Proven in observations, meeting high teaching standards
Aligns with KS2 geography curriculum for locational knowledge
Keeps students engaged with varied tasks and a memorable song
Differentiates for all abilities, ensuring every learner succeeds
Saves prep time with all materials ready to use
Great For
Teaching latitude, longitude, and map skills in KS2
Delivering standout geography lessons for observations
Building confidence in navigating the world’s grid
Instant download. Fully editable. Ready to teach.
Tags
KS2 geography lesson, latitude and longitude, Years 3-6 map skills, weather and climate, Equator and Tropics, hemispheres, Earth’s grid, primary geography resources, Ofsted observation lesson, KS2 locational knowledge
This 16-slide PowerPoint assembly introduces students to the real-life school journeys of children from around the world, including those in Ecuador. Pupils will learn about how children like Jefferson and Lizbeth travel through the rainforest or by canoe on the River Napo to reach school. This resource provides a global perspective on the importance of education, despite the challenges these children face.
What’s Included:
✔ 16-slide PowerPoint presentation
✔ Real-life stories of children’s school journeys
✔ Images and descriptions of the children’s experiences in Ecuador
✔ Insights into the geography and culture of different countries
Lesson Overview / Structure:
★ Introduction: Students are introduced to the concept of school journeys around the world, with a focus on children in Ecuador.
★ Main Activity: The PowerPoint explores the unique paths to school, showing how children in different environments navigate to school.
★ Reflection: Students reflect on their own school journeys and the importance of education.
Why It’s Useful:
✔ Encourages global awareness and cultural understanding
✔ Provides a meaningful discussion starter for KS1 and KS2 students
✔ Can be used for whole-school assemblies or classroom activities
✔ Helps students reflect on their own experiences and challenges
Suggested Use Cases:
This assembly is ideal for KS1 and KS2 geography lessons, global awareness topics, or as part of a school-wide assembly. It’s also perfect for promoting discussions on education and cultural differences.
Search Tags:
KS1 geography | KS2 geography | school journeys | global education | Ecuador | cultural awareness | outstanding global assembly
This Great Explorers Homework Grid provides a wide range of activities designed to support cross-curricular learning across KS1. Covering geography, history, science, maths, writing, and reading, this pack offers flexible options for pupils to extend their learning through the exciting theme of great explorers.
What’s Included:
✔ Great Explorers Homework Grid with 51 cross-curricular tasks.
✔ Parent letter explaining the homework project.
✔ Record sheet for pupils to track completed tasks.
Lesson Overview / Structure:
★ Choice Board Activities:
Pupils select from 51 tasks across a variety of subjects, choosing which activities to complete each week based on their interests.
★ Cross-Curricular Learning:
Tasks encourage skills such as writing creatively, drawing maps, researching famous explorers, applying basic maths through costing activities, and imagining new discoveries.
★ Supporting Materials:
A parent letter is provided to introduce the project, alongside a pupil record sheet to promote independent tracking and goal-setting.
Why It’s Useful:
✔ Encourages independent learning and pupil choice.
✔ Supports a cross-curricular approach across core and foundation subjects.
✔ Flexible for whole-class projects or differentiated homework.
✔ Helps to build home-school links with clear information for parents.
Suggested Use Cases:
Ideal for KS1 history homework, cross-curricular explorers topic, home learning projects, extension tasks linked to geography and science, or summer term activities.
Search Tags:
KS1 explorers topic | Great explorers homework KS1 | Year 1 homework pack | Year 2 explorers activities | Cross-curricular homework KS1 | Outstanding KS1 resources | Famous explorers project KS1
This Beside the Seaside Homework Grid offers a wide range of activities designed to support cross-curricular learning across KS1. Covering geography, history, science, maths, writing, and reading, this pack provides a flexible and engaging way for pupils to extend their learning through a seaside theme.
What’s Included:
✔ Beside the Seaside Homework Grid with 44 cross-curricular tasks.
✔ Parent letter explaining the homework project.
✔ Record sheet for pupils to track completed tasks.
Lesson Overview / Structure:
★ Choice Board Activities:
Pupils select from 44 tasks covering a variety of subjects, choosing which activities to complete each week.
★ Cross-Curricular Learning:
Tasks encourage skills in writing stories, creating bar graphs, making scientific observations, and linking maths and geography to the seaside theme.
★ Supporting Materials:
A parent letter is included to explain the project, along with a pupil record sheet to support independent work.
Why It’s Useful:
✔ Encourages independent learning and pupil choice.
✔ Supports a cross-curricular approach across core and foundation subjects.
✔ Flexible for whole-class projects or differentiated homework.
✔ Helps to build home-school links with a clear explanation for parents.
Suggested Use Cases:
Ideal for KS1 seaside topic homework, summer term home learning, cross-curricular topic work, or extension tasks linked to geography, history, and science.
Search Tags:
KS1 seaside topic | Seaside homework activities KS1 | Year 1 homework pack | Year 2 homework grid | Cross-curricular seaside KS1 | Outstanding KS1 resources | KS1 summer topic
This African Mask unit integrates Art and Design & Technology, guiding students through the process of designing and creating their own African-inspired masks. By the end of the unit, students will have crafted their own wearable African mask made from clay, while exploring the cultural significance of masks in different African traditions.
What’s Included:
★ 4 Detailed Lessons: Step-by-step lesson plans focusing on design, sculpture, and evaluation.
★ PowerPoints: Visual resources to introduce key concepts and cultural context.
★ Hands-On Activities: Students will work with clay and explore different techniques in mask-making.
★ Differentiated Tasks: Suitable for students at various skill levels.
Lesson Breakdown:
Introduction to Masks in Different Cultures: Students will learn key facts about the role of masks in African cultures. They will extend their knowledge of mosaicking techniques and practice using sculpting materials with confidence.
Designing the Mask: Students will review what they know about masks and begin to design their own, using ideas and techniques discussed in the previous lesson. By the end, they should have a clear concept of how their mask will look.
Creating the Mask: Students will start constructing their mask from clay, using their design as a guide. They will review their flow diagram from the previous lesson and apply various tools to shape and prepare their mask for decoration.
Evaluating the Finished Mask: Students will evaluate their completed masks, demonstrating an understanding of what makes a high-quality ceramic sculpture. They will reflect on their creative process and the cultural significance of the mask they have made.
Why Choose This Resource?
★ Curriculum-Aligned: Meets national curriculum objectives for Art and Design & Technology, with a focus on cultural understanding and hands-on sculpture.
★ Culturally Enriching: Provides students with insights into the cultural traditions behind African mask-making.
★ Creative and Practical: Combines art with design and technology, encouraging students to create, evaluate, and reflect on their own work.
★ Teacher-Friendly: Detailed lesson plans and resources that simplify preparation and classroom management.
Ideal for: KS2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Art and Design, Design and Technology, African Culture, Mask-Making.
Enhance your Key Stage 2 curriculum with our outstanding Rainforest Unit - a comprehensive set of six engaging geography lessons meticulously designed to foster an in-depth understanding of rainforests. This resource is a valuable addition to your teaching toolkit, complete with detailed lesson plans, informative PowerPoints, and student-focused worksheets.
Lesson 1: Rainforest Regions and Significance
In this lesson, students will identify the continents hosting rainforests, label a world map with major rainforest regions, and grasp the significance of rainforests for Earth’s biodiversity. The lesson starts with an intriguing Rainforest Wonder Box activity, setting the tone for exploration.
Lesson 2: Rainforest Climate and Adaptations
Students will explore the climate characteristics of rainforests, understand why they are called “rainforests,” and identify adaptations of animals and plants. The lesson fosters critical thinking and understanding of how species thrive in rainforest conditions.
Lesson 3: Layers of the Rainforest
This lesson delves into the various layers of the rainforest, highlighting the unique organisms that inhabit each layer. Students will create engaging visual representations of rainforest layers, enhancing their knowledge of the intricate ecosystems.
Lesson 4: Rainforest Animals and Plants
Students will categorize and differentiate between rainforest animals and plants, gaining insights into the rich diversity of rainforest life. Engaging activities, including “Categorising Organisms” and “Rainforest Habitat Diorama,” deepen their comprehension.
Lesson 5: Amazon Rainforest vs. UK Forest
Comparing the Amazon rainforest and a UK forest, students will identify differences and similarities, understand biodiversity, and explore the importance of these ecosystems. The lesson encourages critical thinking and insightful discussions.
Lesson 6: Rainforest Conservation and Action
In the final lesson, students will comprehend the significance of rainforest conservation and discover ways to contribute. Engaging activities like creating conservation posters or slogans empower students to express their commitment to preserving these vital environments.
Our unit equips educators with everything needed for an engaging rainforest unit, including PowerPoint presentations, visual aids, worksheets, and hands-on activities. Promote geographical understanding, critical thinking, and environmental awareness with our Rainforest Unit.
Have any issues with this resource or a request? Contact us directly for the quickest response at: explore_education@outlook.com
Tags: Key Stage 2, Geography, Rainforest, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystem, Climate, Adaptations, Critical Thinking, Interactive, Engaging, Curriculum, Lesson Plans, PowerPoints, Worksheets, interview, ofsted, observation
5 Outstanding Lessons | Fun & Engaging | Perfect for LKS2 & UKS2
Looking for a fun and engaging way to teach your KS2 students about the world of chocolate? This 5-lesson unit will take your class on an exciting journey through the origins, production, history, and impact of chocolate. Designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and design skills, this unit is perfect for exploring Fairtrade, geography, history, and writing.
Key Topics Covered:
Where Chocolate Comes From: Understand how Fairtrade supports cacao farmers and the importance of ethical sourcing.
The Chocolate Production Process: Explore how chocolate is made from bean to bar, detailing each step in the process.
Creative Writing: Write a diary entry from the perspective of a cacao bean, using personification and descriptive language.
History of Chocolate: Learn about the historical journey of chocolate and how to sequence events on a timeline.
Design Your Perfect Town: Plan and describe a town based on preferences, values, and persuasive techniques.
Included Resources:
5 Detailed Lesson Plans: Step-by-step plans covering each lesson, aligned with the national curriculum.
PowerPoints: Engaging presentations to support learning and introduce key concepts.
Worksheets: For each lesson, including writing tasks, historical timelines, and creative design activities.
Interactive and Creative: Opportunities for students to think critically and design their own ideal world.
Why Choose This Resource?
Curriculum-Aligned: Meets KS2 geography, literacy, and art objectives.
Fully Resourced: All materials needed for the unit are included – no extra planning required.
Cross-Curricular Learning: Combine geography, history, writing, and design in one fun and educational topic.
Engaging & Fun: Perfect for students who love chocolate and want to explore its history and impact.
Ideal For: KS2, LKS2, UKS2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Fairtrade, Geography, History, Writing, Design, Persuasive Writing, Personification.
Fully resourced for map skills, classification, and geographical understanding | Ideal for 30–60 minute lessons
This outstanding-rated Key Stage 2 geography lesson focuses on identifying and differentiating between human and physical geographical features, offering an interactive and engaging way to explore maps and geographical concepts.
Designed for KS2 students, this flexible session can be used in a 30-minute or 1-hour format, making it perfect for regular geography lessons, Ofsted observations, or NQT interview lessons.
What’s included:
✔ A clear and structured PowerPoint presentation to guide the lesson
✔ Activity sheets for hands-on learning, including map identification tasks
✔ Extension activities, including a task on map features of London using compass points
✔ Focus on key skills:
Identifying human and physical features on a map
Comparing and classifying geographical features
Creating and labelling maps with identified features
Why this lesson stands out:
✔ Combines map skills, classification, and practical application
✔ Supports understanding of geographical features and their differences
✔ Adaptable for different abilities and lesson timings
✔ Ready-to-use with minimal prep – ideal for busy teachers and formal observations
Perfect for:
KS2 geography lessons
Map skills and geographical features units
Intervention groups and booster sessions
Ofsted observation lessons
NQT interview lessons
Search terms: KS2 human and physical features | map skills geography | Year 6 geography lesson | KS2 map features | London map extension activity | geographical classification | KS2 geography observation | compass points activities
Fully resourced with lesson plan, PowerPoint and data activities | Ideal for geography and cross-curricular maths
This engaging and well-structured KS2 geography lesson supports pupils in exploring temperature and rainfall across Europe, while building important data handling and graphing skills. Perfect for a full lesson or as part of a wider unit on European geography, climate, or environmental patterns.
Designed for primary learners, the lesson encourages pupils to collect, analyse, and represent real-world data through group discussion and graphing tasks.
What’s included:
✔ Detailed lesson plan with clear learning objectives and success criteria
✔ Interactive PowerPoint presentation to introduce and guide each activity
✔ Printable worksheets and data sets on temperature and rainfall in European locations
✔ Graphing task sheets (paper-based or software-friendly)
✔ Prompts for group discussion, comparison and prediction tasks
Lesson structure:
★ Starter activity – pupils reflect on their prior knowledge of Europe’s weather and geography
★ Main input – interpreting temperature and rainfall data using clear units of measurement
★ Activity 1 – small group analysis of data sets and prediction-making
★ Activity 2 – graph creation using paper or digital tools, with a focus on labelling and scales
★ Activity 3 – whole-class comparison of graphs and shared findings
★ Plenary – reflection on environmental differences across regions and key learning points
Why teachers love it:
✔ Combines geography and maths skills in a real-world context
✔ Encourages group work, critical thinking and clear data presentation
✔ Flexible delivery for one-off lessons or topic units
✔ Ready to use – minimal prep required
Perfect for:
KS2 geography (Years 3–6)
European geography and climate topics
Data handling in cross-curricular maths
Whole-class, group or paired learning
Lessons focused on environmental patterns and comparing regions
Search terms: Europe geography KS2 | temperature and rainfall data | graphing lesson | comparing climates | KS2 geography skills | primary data handling | weather patterns Europe | environmental differences | climate graphs KS2