Habitats: making change
This session helps learners recognise there are actions we all can take to help habitats thrive. Activities encourage learners to consider and suggest ideas which could be implemented at your school's outdoor site in the future.
This is recommended as session four of the Lower Key Stage Two Habitats unit, exploring how we can make changes to support local habitats.
Preparation
Green skills
- environmental stewardship
- creative decision making
- communication
Step by step
Quick starter activity
Whose planet
Use these short PowerPoint slides to explore perspectives of other living things.
Encourage learners to share their thoughts and respect the perspectives of their peers. Next, ask learners to list things that they know people around them are doing to protect animals and their habitats.
Main activity suggestion
Suggestion 1 (indoor)
RMetS: Climate change and biodiversity This classroom resource looks at insects in decline and explores green walls for climate adaptation and biodiversity.
Suggestion 2 (outdoor/indoor)
Nature Park activity: Ideas for improvements This activity introduces habitat enhancements which could take place on a school site. Learners consider which enhancement may be the most effective, suitable and feasible for improving biodiversity at their setting.
Suggestion 3 (indoor)
Association for Science Education: Help the hedgehog Hundreds of wildlife experts spent time working out which species need the most protection. In this activity children identify the features within a typical garden that both encourage and deter hedgehogs.
Top tips
Use local examples of conservation, for example a wild meadow project, tree planting or a family member who plants flowers for bees. Support representation by using examples and people that learners can relate to, so learners can see the relevance to them.
Curriculum links
Working scientifically
- using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings
- recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
Year 4 - Living things and their habitats
- recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things
Developing confidence and responsibility and making the most of their abilities
- taught to face new challenges positively by collecting information, looking for help, making responsible choices, and taking action