Protecting Our Environment

Lesson Overview

Subject: Social Studies
Year Group: Year 5
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Unit: Exploring Our Environment (Lesson 3 of 3)
Curriculum Link:

• National Curriculum for England – Geography
  • Human and Physical Geography: Understand key aspects of human geography, including the impact of human activities on the environment.
  • Geographical Skills and Fieldwork: Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, diagrams, and posters.
• Citizenship (KS2) – Living in the Wider World: Understand how to take care of the environment and the role of individuals and the community in sustainability efforts.

---

Lesson Objectives

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

1. Understand the importance of protecting the local environment.
2. Identify key environmental issues within their community.
3. Brainstorm practical solutions to improve environmental sustainability.
4. Create a compelling awareness poster campaign on a chosen local environmental issue.

---

Resources Needed

• Large poster paper or A3 sheets
• Coloured pens and pencils
• Newspaper articles or printed news stories about local environmental issues
• Sticky notes
• Interactive whiteboard or chart paper
• Images of local areas affected by environmental problems

---

Lesson Structure

Starter Activity – Environmental Detective (10 mins)

1. Begin by writing the word "Environment" on the board. Ask students to brainstorm associated words and write them around the central word.
2. Show students three images of local environmental issues (e.g., litter in parks, air pollution, deforestation, or flooding). Ask:
   • "What do you see?"
   • "Why might this be happening?"
   • "How could this affect our community?"
3. As students share thoughts, record their ideas on a mind map on the board.

---

Main Lesson – Investigating Local Issues (25 mins)

Part 1: Class Discussion (10 mins)

• Introduce the concept of environmental responsibility. Discuss:
  • What does it mean to look after where we live?
  • Who is responsible for protecting the environment? (e.g., individuals, businesses, government)
• Provide real-world UK examples, such as bans on plastic straws or clean-up initiatives like the Great British Spring Clean.

Part 2: Group Research & Brainstorming (15 mins)

1. Divide students into 3 groups. Assign each group a local environmental issue (examples: plastic pollution, air quality, energy waste, water pollution, deforestation).
2. Provide newspaper snippets or short reports on their assigned issue. Give each group sticky notes and ask them to write down:
   • What is the problem?
   • How does it affect our community?
   • What could we do to help?
3. Groups will share their findings back with the class.

---

Activity – Poster Campaign Challenge (20 mins)

1. Task: Students work in their groups to design an awareness poster about their environmental issue. Posters should include:
   • A powerful slogan (e.g., “Save Our Streets – Say No to Plastic!”)
   • A simple fact about the problem
   • A local solution that people can take action on
   • Engaging visuals (drawings, bold lettering, or even mock-up newspaper headlines)
2. Provide materials and set a timer for 15 minutes. Encourage students to be creative!
3. Final 5 minutes: Each group presents their poster to the class.

---

Plenary – Exit Reflection (5 mins)

1. Ask students to place a sticky note on the board under one of the following:
   • "One thing I learnt today"
   • "One change I will make to help the environment"
2. Wrap up by emphasising how small actions make a big impact. Encourage students to discuss their posters at home with family members.

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Observation during discussions to assess understanding of environmental issues.
• Group presentations to evaluate the application of knowledge.
• Exit reflections to measure students’ personal connections to environmental responsibility.

---

Extension Activity (Optional)

• Take Action: Students can write letters to the local council suggesting ways to improve environmental sustainability in their town.
• Home Challenge: Ask students to do a mini waste audit at home – how much plastic is used? What can be recycled?

---

Teacher Reflection

• Did students engage well with the topic?
• Were students able to link environmental issues to real-world actions?
• How well did groups collaborate to create posters?

🔹 Next Steps: Consider linking this learning to a real-world school project, such as organising a litter pick-up or creating an eco-club!