Caring for Resources

Overview

This 45-minute lesson introduces Year 7 students (working at KS1 level in a special school) to natural resources and how their use can affect the environment. Using practical, hands-on experiments and visual aids, students will learn why careful use of natural resources matters and how misuse can cause harm. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s Geography programme of study for Key Stage 2–3 transition, tailored specifically for learners working at an earlier developmental stage.

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National Curriculum Links

Key Stage 2 Geography Programme of Study (adapted for access):

• Locational knowledge: Locate and name some natural resources.
• Place knowledge: Understand how resource use affects local environments.
• Human and physical geography: Describe how people use natural resources and the consequences for the environment.
• Geographical skills and fieldwork: Identify how to care for resources and why it matters.

Relevant attainment targets:

• Explain how natural resources (e.g., water, wood) are used by people and how this can affect the environment.
• Give simple examples of environmental harm caused by resource use.
• Recognise the importance of conserving natural resources.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain in simple terms what natural resources are and how people use them.
• Give an example of how using a natural resource can harm the environment.
• Explain why it is important to use natural resources carefully.

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Resources Needed

• Clear plastic cups or bowls
• Soil (or sand)
• Water
• Small plastic or paper trees or leaves (can be laminated pictures)
• A small amount of cooking oil (to simulate pollution)
• Large tray to contain the activity
• Whiteboard and markers
• Picture cards illustrating natural resources and environmental harm (e.g., deforestation, polluted water)
• Printed sentence starters or word cards for writing activity

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Discussion (10 mins)

• Begin with a simple question: “What are natural resources?” Use pictures to show examples: water, plants, trees, soil.
• Explain that people use these resources every day – for food, building, and energy.
• Use straightforward language and connect to students’ experiences (e.g., drinking water, playing in parks).
• Write the key phrase: “Natural resources help us live.”
• Ask: “What might happen if we use too much or do not look after these resources?” Encourage very simple ideas (e.g., “Trees can be cut down,” “Water can get dirty”).

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2. Practical Activity: Mini Ecosystem Experiment (20 mins)

Setup:

• In a large tray, place soil in a clear cup to represent the earth.
• Add plastic or paper trees/leaves to stand for a small forest.

Step 1: Pour clean water gently into the soil—it soaks in well. Ask students to observe this as a healthy environment.

Step 2: Add a few drops of cooking oil to another clear cup with soil and trees to simulate pollution (explain pollution as a dirtying of the environment).

Step 3: Compare both cups. Ask: “What do you see? Which one looks healthy? Which one looks sick?” (Help students connect oil/pollution to harm.)

Discussion:

• Explain that using natural resources carelessly (cutting down too many trees, polluting water) harms the environment.
• Emphasise: “We need to look after natural resources so plants, animals, and people can live happily.”

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3. Group Reflection and Sentence Building (10 mins)

• Use printed sentence starters such as:
  • “Natural resources are…”
  • “If we use resources without care…”
  • “It is important to use resources carefully because…”
• Students work in pairs or small groups to complete the sentences with teacher support.
• Share answers together, writing simple sentences on the board to highlight understanding.

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4. Plenary: Why Care? (5 mins)

• Show pictures of a healthy forest and a damaged one, or clean water versus polluted water.
• Ask students: “Why should we use natural resources carefully?”
• Reinforce answers by summarising the lesson learning points on the board in simple language and visuals.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment: Monitor group discussions and practical activity participation. Use questioning to check understanding throughout.
• Written outcome: Sentence completion task shows grasp of key ideas.
• Verbal feedback: Praise effort and correctly linked ideas about caring for resources and consequences of misuse.

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Differentiation and SEND Support

• Use plenty of visual aids and concrete, tactile materials for support.
• Simplify language and instructions; use repetition and clear check-ins.
• Allow paired work and verbal responses where writing is challenging.
• Provide word banks and sentence starters to encourage communication.
• Emphasise sensory experience of the experiment for engagement.

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Extension (if time or for homework)

• Students draw or collect pictures of natural resources at home or school.
• Talk with family about ways to save water or recycle materials.

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This lesson uses active, sensory engagement to meet KS1 level abilities within a Year 7 setting, linking crucial geography concepts of natural resource use and environmental care using the National Curriculum framework adapted for accessibility.