Fossil fuels (non-statutory)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recognise that the remains of living things became fuels over millions of years, and that fossil fuels are non-renewable.
Key learning points
- A fossil fuel is a natural fuel formed from the remains of living things over millions of years.
- The type of fossil depends on the original living thing and the amounts of heat and pressure.
- Fossil fuels have been used increasingly since the 1800s for heating, transport and generating electricity.
- Fossil fuels are non-renewable, as they cannot be replaced once they have been used up.
- Burning fossil fuels creates carbon dioxide and tiny pieces of solid matter, such as soot.
Keywords
Fossil fuel - A fossil fuel is a natural fuel formed from the remains of living things over millions of years, such as coal, crude oil or natural gas.
Burn - When something burns, it is on fire.
Non-renewable - A non-renewable resource or material is one that cannot be replaced once it has been used up.
Soot - Soot is a very fine powdery substance created when fossil fuels are burned.
Carbon dioxide - Carbon dioxide is a type of gas in the air.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that fossil fuels have been made from fossils, such as the ones they may see in the classroom or museums.
Explain that fossil fuels are the remains of living things that have been changed over millions of years by heat and pressure.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to think about when fossil fuels are used in their daily lives. For example, they may have come to school in a petrol car or have a gas oven at home.
Equipment
None required.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'formed' mean?
Q2.Many household appliances, like lights, fridges, TVs, and phones, need from either mains power or batteries to work.
Q3.Match the substance to the state of matter.
solid state
liquid state
gas state
Q4.Carbon dioxide in the air is in ...
Q5.What is an organism?
Q6.Micro-organisms are …
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fuels formed from the remains of living things over millions of years are called fuels.
Q2.Which of these are fossil fuels?
Q3.Different types of fossil fuel were formed by differing amounts of heat and pressure, as well as …
Q4.Why has the use of fossil fuels increased since the 1800s?
Q5.Substances produced when fossil fuels are burned include …
Q6.Which statements are true for fossil fuels?
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Fossil fuels (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Fossil fuels (non-statutory), 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.
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