An introduction to the Anthropocene
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the meaning of the term 'Anthropocene' and can explain why it is debated by scientists.
Key learning points
- Human activity affects Earth's physical systems.
- Population increase has significantly increased the human impact on Earth's physical systems.
- Industrialisation significantly increased the human impact on Earth's systems.
- The Anthropocene is a term used to describe a new geological age shaped by humans.
- The term "Anthropocene" is debated by scientists.
Keywords
Atmosphere - the layer of gases that surrounds Earth. It includes the oxygen we need to breathe, so it is essential for life on Earth
Hydrosphere - includes all the water on Earth, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, groundwater, and water vapour in the atmosphere
Geosphere - the solid parts of Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core, as well as rocks, soil, mountains, and other landforms
Biosphere - life on Earth, encompassing all living organisms (plants, animals, bacteria, etc.) and the ecosystems they form
Anthropocene - proposed geological epoch that marks when human activity has had a significant impact on Earth
Common misconception
The Anthropocene is the period of Earth’s history from when homosapiens first evolved.
The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch that marks the period in Earth’s history during which human activity has had a significant impact on Earth.
Teacher tip
Ask students what impact they have had on Earth.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is an example of human impact on the planet?
Q2.Where do most people in the world live?
Q3.What do we call places with lots of people living in them?
Q4.Which of these is a reason why people might not live in an area?
Q5.What is deforestation?
Q6.What does pollution do to the environment?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the atmosphere?
Q2.What does the hydrosphere include?
Q3.What is included in the geosphere?
Q4.What is the Anthropocene?
Q5.How have humans affected the hydrosphere?
Q6.How has global population growth affected Earth's physical systems?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: An introduction to the Anthropocene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: An introduction to the Anthropocene, 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 3 geography lessons from the Anthropocene: What is the impact of humans on the world? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.