The impacts of using geological resources
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using geological resources and explain how they affect people and the environment.
Key learning points
- Geological resources bring money, jobs, and materials we rely on daily.
- Extraction harms landscapes, wildlife, and sometimes local communities.
- Mining and fossil fuels create jobs and support national economies.
- Fossil fuels pollute and add to global warming despite economic value.
- Sustainable alternatives are growing but aren't yet fully replacing fossil fuels.
Keywords
Extraction - the process of removing natural resources from the ground
Fossil fuels - natural substances that were formed over millions of years from the buried remains of ancient organisms; they include coal, oil and gas
Pollution - harmful substances released into the environment
Sustainability - when something is able to continue over a long time
Common misconception
Geological resources are all bad because they damage the environment.
While they can cause environmental harm, they also provide essential materials and economic benefits. The key is understanding both advantages and disadvantages—which is what geographers evaluate.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to think critically by weighing up the pros and cons, rather than assuming that resources are purely good or bad.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which type of rock is formed from cooled magma or lava?
Q2.What do we call the process of removing rock or soil from Earth’s surface for resources?
Q3.Rocks that have changed due to and pressure are called metamorphic.
Q4.Which of these is not a sedimentary rock?
Q5.Which word describes a chemical substance found naturally in the ground?
Q6.Why can’t we just “make more” oil when we run out?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the process of removing natural resources from the ground called?
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a fossil fuel?
Q3.What is one reason fossil fuels are still widely used, despite their impacts?
Q4.Which of the following statements is most accurate?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: The impacts of using geological resources, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: The impacts of using geological resources, 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 Rocks, weathering and soil: Why is geology important? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.