Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what a carbon footprint is and how we can reduce it.
Key learning points
- Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures on Earth.
- A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases that are released when we do everyday things.
- The measure of a carbon footprint includes what we eat, how we travel, how often we buy new things, and much more.
- Everyone can take action to reduce their carbon footprint.
Keywords
Greenhouse gases - Gases which contribute towards global warming are called greenhouse gases.
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.
Action - An action is something that is done.
Carbon footprint - A carbon footprint is a measure of how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released when we do everyday things.
Reduce - To reduce something means to decrease the amount of it.
Common misconception
Pupils may think their carbon footprint relates only to air pollution that can be seen, such as smoke or soot.
Explain that greenhouse gases cannot be seen, smelled or tasted; just because we cannot see them, it doesn’t mean they are not in the air around us.
Teacher tip
Online carbon footprint calculators can be used to give pupils an idea of their carbon footprint in numerical form. Be sure to test out any calculator shared with pupils in advance to check the questions are those they will likely be able to answer and are meaningful to children of their age.
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.Which of the following are fossil fuels?
Q2.Burning fossil fuels…
Q3.Fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal and crude oil contain...
Q4. gases are gases which help to maintain the temperature of Earth.
Q5.True or false? We need some greenhouse gases around planet earth.
Q6.What is the name of energy sources which will not run out?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How does carbon dioxide in the atmosphere lead to warmer temperatures on Earth?
Q2.Which of these would reduce the amount of greenhouse gases entering the environment?
Q3.A footprint is a measure of how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released when we do everyday things.
Q4.Which of the following are included in your carbon footprint?
Q5.Which of the following have a large carbon footprint?
Q6.Who is responsible for people’s carbon footprint?
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Reducing our carbon footprint (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.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Climate change and sustainability (non-statutory) unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.