Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory)
I can explain what a carbon footprint is and how we can reduce it.
Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory)
I can explain what a carbon footprint is and how we can reduce it.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures on Earth.
- A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases that are released when we do everyday things.
- The measure of a carbon footprint includes what we eat, how we travel, how often we buy new things, and much more.
- Everyone can take action to reduce their carbon footprint.
Keywords
Greenhouse gases - Gases which contribute towards global warming are called greenhouse gases.
Fossil fuel - A fossil fuel is a natural fuel formed from the remains of living things over millions of years, such as coal, crude oil or natural gas.
Action - An action is something that is done.
Carbon footprint - A carbon footprint is a measure of how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released when we do everyday things.
Reduce - To reduce something means to decrease the amount of it.
Common misconception
Pupils may think their carbon footprint relates only to air pollution that can be seen, such as smoke or soot.
Explain that greenhouse gases cannot be seen, smelled or tasted; just because we cannot see them, it doesn’t mean they are not in the air around us.
To help you plan your year 6 science lesson on: Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 science lesson on: Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Climate change and sustainability (non-statutory) unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None required.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
