Introducing sustainability
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what sustainability means to me and start to identify choices that can be made with this in mind.
Key learning points
- Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of today without preventing future generations from doing so.
- There is great inequality across the world about who gets what, where, when and why.
- We have some power to enact some choices about where we go, how we get there, what we eat and what we do.
Keywords
Consumption - Consumption is the process of using up resources.
Inequality - Inequality is when something is not shared evenly between everyone.
Natural resources - Natural resources are those that come from Earth without human influence and can be used for human needs.
Common misconception
Children may believe that renewable resources are 'safe'.
Explain that even water - a renewable natural resource - could become too polluted to use or if trees are cut down quicker than they can be replanted then that supply of wood will be exhausted.
Teacher tip
Be sensitive to the fact that some children will have more freedom to make their own decisions than others. The example choices in task 2 can be tailored to address individual circumstances so that all children feel a sense of empowerment.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are natural resources?
Q2.Which of these are natural resources?
Q3.What does the term 'exhaustible' mean in relation to natural resources?
Q4.Natural resources are distributed around the world.
Q5.What does it mean if a resource is 'unevenly distributed' around the world?
Q6.What is the link between natural resources and the world's population?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are basic human needs?
Q2.Match the keyword to the definition.
when resources and opportunities are not evenly available for everyone
the process of using up resources
materials produced by the environment that humans can make use of
Q3.Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of today without preventing generations from doing so.
Q4.Non-renewable resources are and will eventually run out.
Q5.Which statement is true?
Q6.Human demand and natural resources are distributed across the Earth.
To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Introducing sustainability, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Introducing sustainability, 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 geography lessons from the Sustainable world: does it matter how we live? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.