Just One Change

Explore the balance that biodiversity gives an ecosystem and how higher and lower levels of biodiversity can affect the plants and animals that live in these areas.

Investigate the different ways in which biodiversity is being threatened by human behaviour and what can be done to rebuild and repair the balance. Discuss and research the different methods that we can use to create a sustainable future and avoid upsetting the levels of biodiversity in the ecosystems around the planet.

This downloadable three-lesson scheme comes with (almost!) everything you need to teach your Year 5/6 class about the importance of preserving biodiversity for a more exciting, sustainable and varied world.

 

How Wolves Change Rivers

Create a definition of biodiversity with your class and discuss its importance in keeping the balance between species of animals and plants within an ecosystem. Discuss how one change in an ecosystem can create a cascade of effects, both positive and negative, based on the levels of biodiversity. Engage your class with the case study of Yellowstone National Park re-introducing wolves and measuring the changes that happened because of this change.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, a slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 1

Threats to Biodiversity

Investigate the different ways that biodiversity is being threatened by human behaviour and how this can cause changes within different ecosystems. Discuss the reasons behind behaviours such as habitat destruction, excessive harvesting, pollution and introduced species which can upset the balance created by a biodiverse ecosystem.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, a slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 2

What changes can we make?

Investigate deeper into the threats to biodiversity and discuss ways in which we can change our behaviours to rebuild, repair and create sustainable alternatives to the behaviours that are threatening the balance of multiple ecosystems. Explore the ways in which biodiversity benefits humans and how we can restore the balance in the UK. Challenge your class to help the population of almost 270 bee species around the country replenish and thrive to carry on their important jobs in our environment.

This downloadable lesson includes a lesson plan, a slideshow presentation and printable teaching resources.

View Lesson 3

Add Complete Series to Cart