The Oceans and Plastic Pollution - KS2 Activity handbook for teachers

This resource enables pupils to explore the role of the oceans in our lives and why healthy oceans are so vital to our future. By looking at the impact of plastics pollution on the oceans, pupils will also consider what steps we can all take to safeguard these precious waters for generations to come. This resource contains a range of activities aimed at teachers of 7-11 year-olds. It is intended that this resource will be used in cross-curricular work and all activities can be linked to the National Curricula of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Teachers will find that the material can be adapted for use with different ages and abilities.  

Contains the following activities:

ACTIVITY 1: WHY DO THE OCEANS MATTER? - This introductory activity draws out the importance of the oceans in all our lives. If you are doing it as part of an oceans topic, you may wish to encourage pupils to create a ‘thought space’ where they can write down their reflections as the topic develops. Before beginning, ask pupils to write down what they already know about the oceans, and what they would like to find out. At the end of the topic, pupils can think about what they have learned and how their feelings and opinions have changed.  

ACTIVITY 2: PICTURING THE SEAS - This photo activity is a useful starting point for exploring the topic of oceans and plastics pollution and encourages pupils to take a questioning approach.  

ACTIVITY 3: OCEANS AND PLASTICS QUIZ - This is an engaging activity to introduce a new topic to a class.

ACTIVITY 4: THE LAST STRAW?  - Through this activity, pupils use different pieces of information to understand the links between their own use of plastic and ocean pollution.  

ACTIVITY 5: PLASTIC POLLUTION IN GREENSEA COVE - Through this role play activity, pupils will be encouraged to look at a range of different perspectives on the issue of plastic pollution in the seas.  

ACTIVITY 6: TURNING THE TIDE ON PLASTIC - This activity allows pupils to think about the use of plastic in their everyday lives and the steps that they can take to protect the oceans. It is important that pupils do not feel overwhelmed by the challenge of plastic pollution and so they will explore how each one of them can take action to keep our seas healthy.