Protecting Oceans Lesson Plan

The VotesforSchools lesson plan for Primary 5-7 pupils addresses the pressing question: "Should more be done to look after our oceans?" This lesson is designed to encourage young learners to consider the significance of oceans and to critically evaluate the efforts being made to protect these vital ecosystems. The lesson begins with feedback on the previous week's topic, fostering a sense of continuity and engagement. The starter activity, "Under the sea," prompts pairs of pupils to explore their knowledge and perceptions of ocean contents in an interactive discussion.

As the lesson unfolds, the class is introduced to the current VoteTopic, which underscores the importance of oceans. A "deeper look" activity challenges pupils to discern between true and false statements about the oceans, using a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down response to demonstrate their understanding. In "Turning the tide," the class examines various initiatives aimed at ocean conservation, moving to different sides of the room to represent their belief in the potential impact of these actions, and articulating their reasoning. The lesson concludes with a discussion on two differing viewpoints regarding the VoteTopic, prompting students to articulate their agreement with either stance. The final step is a democratic vote, where pupils review arguments for and against the topic before casting their votes, thereby exercising their critical thinking and decision-making skills.