An environment is the surroundings of a living thing, including other plants and animals and the conditions they live in.

The impact of something is the effect it has.

Waste is any material or substance that is no longer needed or usable which is generated as a result of human activities.

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

Industry is the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory.

Changing environments: waste creation and pollution

Science

In this Living things and the environment unit, pupils learn to explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name living things. In the Why we group and classify living things unit, they will build on this knowledge to give reasons why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics

In the Living things and where they live unit, pupils learnt that things can be grouped into: alive, dead and never alive. In this Living things in the environment unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognsie that living things can be grouped in a wider variety of ways

This unit focuses on grouping living things and using classification keys to identify and name them in various environments. It explores how environmental changes can pose dangers to organisms. Emphasis is on asking questions, collecting data, and using evidence to support conclusions.

Living things and the environment

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

The {{}} of something is the effect it has. 

throwing away objects after they have been used once

using single-use plastic to create a shopping bag

Which of these human actions can have a negative impact on an environment?

{{}} populations create greater amounts of waste and pollution.

Which of these can contribute to pollution in the environment?

leave the tap running when cleaning teeth

Which of these changes could humans carry out to help to reduce waste and pollution?

use more gas and coal to fuel their factories

use alternative fuels to gas and coal, like solar and wind power

use recyclable materials in their products and packaging

Which of these changes could people working in industry carry out to help reduce waste and pollution?

The {{}} is the surroundings of a living thing, including other plants or animals and the conditions they live in.

Match the living thing to the environment you may find it in . 

Which of these are requirements that all living things need to survive? 

humans clear land of trees and use it for another purpose.

when extreme events like flooding and earthquakes cause damage.

Match the negative impact to its description. 

Put these different populations in order from largest to smallest.

True or false? Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

Content guidance

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Changing environments: waste creation and pollution

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.