Changing environments: waste creation and pollution
I can describe some negative effects of waste creation and pollution and suggest some ways to reduce it.
Changing environments: waste creation and pollution
I can describe some negative effects of waste creation and pollution and suggest some ways to reduce it.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Environments can change in a negative way as a result of the actions of humans.
- Larger populations can create greater amounts of waste and pollution.
- The cars we drive, the products we use and the crops we eat can all contribute to pollution in the environment.
- Individuals can change the way they live to reduce the impact of waste creation and pollution on the environment.
- Industries can change the way they work to help create less waste and pollution.
Keywords
Environment - An environment is the surroundings of a living thing, including other plants and animals and the conditions they live in.
Impact - The impact of something is the effect it has.
Waste - Waste is any material or substance that is no longer needed or usable which is generated as a result of human activities.
Pollution - Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.
Industry - Industry is the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory.
Common misconception
Some pupils may not understand the impact of an increased human population on plants and animals.
Discuss, using examples on the slide deck, all the repercussions of increased population. If possible, include an example relevant to their location to help them see it first hand.
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Changing environments: waste creation and pollution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Changing environments: waste creation and pollution, 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 Living things and the environment unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None required.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions


pond
field
sea
soil


humans clear land of trees and use it for another purpose.
humans build more cities to live in.
when extreme events like flooding and earthquakes cause damage.

Exit quiz
6 Questions





