Researching the polar regions and their importance
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the world’s polar regions and explain a number of ways in which they are important.
Key learning points
- Because an essay is a non-fiction piece of writing, it must be based on facts.
- Facts are obtained through research, using reliable sources.
- Research can be collated using bullet points under different headings.
- Our essay will show just one side of an argument.
- We can break an essay question down into smaller questions in order to structure our essay.
Keywords
Essay - a piece of writing that explores arguments about a particular issue
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Research - find out more about a topic or idea, using reliable sources
Common misconception
Pupils may need support in understanding how the Arctic and Antarctica differ.
Use maps and images to show that the Arctic is circled by land while Antarctica is land surrounded by sea.
Teacher tip
Children should already be familiar with the process of climate change; if they are not, refer to our unit 'Climate emergency: journalistic writing' for a brief overview.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the below are features of an essay?
Q2.Which of these essay titles suggest an essay that gives just one side of the argument?
Q3.Which of the below best describes a logical argument?
Q4.Which of the below is not a type of evidence we can use to support a logical argument?
Q5.What type of evidence is used in the following sentence? 'The expansion of cities and farms, which has continued since the Industrial Revolution, has led to the loss of large areas of woodland.'
Q6.What type of evidence is used in the following sentence? 'In addition to this, Britain’s woodlands lock in huge quantities of carbon dioxide.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why do we research before writing an essay?
Q2.What type of evidence is used in the following sentence? 'Antarctica is bordered by all of the world's oceans.'
Q3.What type of essay is suggested by the following title? 'What makes the polar regions unique and why should we do more to protect them?'
Q4.Put the smaller questions raised by the following essay title into the most logical order: 'What makes the polar regions unique and why should we do more to protect them?'.
Q5.In what ways do the polar regions help control our climate and reduce the effects of climate change?
Q6.Which statements are true?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Researching the polar regions and their importance, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Researching the polar regions and their importance, 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 English lessons from the Polar regions: essay writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.