Environmental changes in the news (non-statutory)
I can use sources of information to write a news report about environmental changes.
Environmental changes in the news (non-statutory)
I can use sources of information to write a news report about environmental changes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- News reports can take many different forms, and can be written or verbal.
- News reports provide information to a wide audience where scientists can share their findings.
- A news report has specific features, including a headline, factual information and quotes.
- News reports often include facts or statistics, and avoid using the reporter's own opinion.
- Having access to information in the news allows people to make informed choices about their own actions.
Keywords
News report - A news report gives us information about current events.
Verbal - A verbal presentation is in the form of spoken words.
Quote - To quote someone is to repeat the words they have said or written.
Informed choice - An informed choice is a decision you make when you have all of the information about the decision topic.
Environment - An environment is the surroundings of a living thing, including other plants and animals and the conditions they live in.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that changes to the environment are negative.
Examples of both positive and negative changes to the environment.
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Environmental changes in the news (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Environmental changes in the news (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 Living things and the environment unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
newspapers, websites showing news articles, access to the internet
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions








This is when an area of land is covered with water, especially rain.
This is a large, destructive blaze that spreads quickly.
This is at least three consecutive days of above normal temperatures.

Exit quiz
6 Questions






