Climate change and environmental awareness – KS2
Climate change and environmental awareness has now been introduced to key stage two students. The aim is to build a foundational level of knowledge around the key concepts concerning the climate, ready for further learning at key stage three. A variation of classroom lessons and outdoor practical experience will assist students, identifying the issues nature faces, whilst strengthening a connection to nature, which is well known to assist with wellbeing and a reduction in stress and anxiety.
The curriculum is designed to scaffold learning and build upon knowledge gained, defining and distinguishing between weather and climate, to how humans are affected by weather conditions, for example.
The key learning objective are as follows:
- Branch 1 Illustrate what is meant by climate change and list three animals impacted.
- Branch 1 Identify differences in weather across the UK.
- Branch 1 Identify different climates across the world.
- Branch 1 Define and distinguish between weather and climate.
- Branch 1 List characteristics that suit animals to certain climates.
- Branch 1 Explore the thoughts, feelings, and emotions we may experience in relation to changing climates. Learn how we can support ourselves and others when we feel this way.
- Branch 2 To state what the greenhouse gases are.
- Branch 2 Describe how climate is changing in different climate zones.
- Branch 2 Describe what challenges animals face in changing climates.
- Branch 2 Look at human activities that produce greenhouse gases and list the top causes.
- Branch 2 Compare and contrast fossil fuels against renewable energy.
- Branch 2 Consider responsible resource usage and highlight positive changes at an individual level.
- Branch 3 Create an illustration of the weather in your local area.
- Branch 3 Compare the seasonal differences in your local area.
- Branch 3 Discuss how humans are affected by weather conditions.
- Branch 3 Discuss how plants are affected by weather conditions.
- Branch 3 Discuss how animals are affected by weather conditions.
- Branch 3 Describe the different climate zones of the earth.
- Branch 3 Define what climate change is.
- Branch 4 Identify the origin of human activities that have impacted on climate change.
- Branch 4 List the activities during the industrial revolution that started causing climate change.
- Branch 4 Highlight an activity of the industrial revolution and describe its environmental impact.
- Branch 4 Identify what humans can do to mitigate the impacts of burning fossil fuels.
- Branch 4 Discover inventive solutions from around the world that aim to mitigate the impact of climate change.
- Branch 4 Consider the impacts of climate change on a specific animal.
- Branch 5 Identify and distinguish between natural climate change and human-caused climate change.
- Branch 5 To describe climate change in the context of deep time.
- Branch 5 List the three main types of fossil fuels.
- Branch 5 Describe how humans use fossil fuels.
- Branch 5 Describe how fossil fuels are obtained.
- Branch 5 List human habits that are not good for the planet.
- Branch 5 Create a table of renewable energy resources vs non-renewable energy resources.
- Branch 5 Highlight the benefits and disadvantages of renewable energy resources.
- Branch 5 Highlight the benefits and disadvantages of non-renewable energy resources.
- Branch 6 Create a newspaper article about the impact of rapid climate change on humans, plants, and animals.
- Branch 6 Understand finite resources in the context of one planet living.
- Branch 6 List the countries that are the most excessive consumers of resources.
- Branch 6 List the overshoot status and highlight the countries that overshoot the quickest currently.
- Branch 6 Describe how a specific innovative solution can help with climate change?
- Branch 6 List the behaviours in your current day to day life that could be altered to improve resource usage.
- Branch 6 Write a personal pledge to change a habit or create a habit that will be kinder to the environment.
- Branch 6 Create a campaign for the whole school to encourage others to make change that will be healthier for the planet.
- Branch 7 Explain the difference between climate and weather using examples.
- Branch 7 Describe what the six main greenhouse gases are how they are released.
- Branch 7 Explain why forests and oceans are important.
- Branch 7 Describe the human habits that rely on fossil fuel usage.
- Branch 7 Understand the impact of climate change in different communities around the world.
- Branch 7 Debate the impact of the climate crisis through a panel discussion to show an understanding.
- Branch 7 Give examples of individual, community, and national actions for climate change.
- Branch 7 Explain why changing climates can have profound impacts on a community.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this information. If you have any questions relating to this content, please contact Barry Lea-Clark (Sustainability-head of faculty) on 01872 264 221, or email at barry.lea-clark@oaktreeschoolcornwall.co.uk.
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