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PrimaryGeographyScience

World Environment Day – Great ideas and resources for primary schools

Hands holding planet and tree, representing World Environment Day

Go green this June 5th and help your pupils understand how to build a brighter future, and why we all should, with these activities, ideas and lesson plans for World Environment Day…

Teachwire
by Teachwire
DOWNLOAD A FREE RESOURCE! Earth Day activities – the maths of plastic bags
PrimaryMaths

What is World Environment Day?

World Environment Day is a United Nations international day that aims to brings together people across the world and put the spotlight on the key environmental issues of our times.

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of World Environment Day. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution.

When is World Environment Day 2023?

World Environment Day is on Monday 5th June 2023. Find out how you can get involved by visiting the official World Environment Day website.

(We’ve also got resources for Earth Day, held in April).


World Environment Day KS2 maths lesson plan

World Environment Day lesson plan

This free KS2 maths lesson plan investigates single-use plastics while also covering key aspects of the maths curriculum.

Pupils will learn to analyse real-life data, create bar graphs and pie charts and more.


Year 6 writing model text

World Environment Day model text

This two-lesson writing unit from Plazoom is based on an original model text by Anita Loughrey. Pupils can use it to identify arguments for and against the use of plastic, then write their own discursive text.


KS2 science resource for World Environment Day

World Environment Day lesson plan

This free PDF resource includes an article from The Week Junior about plastic bags and their effect on animals and the environment. There are also accompanying activity ideas to try, including writing, debate and maths tasks.

Climate change activity sheet

Find another free The Week Junior activity here, all about climate change.


KS2 recycling lesson plan

World Environment Day recycling lesson plan

This free science and geography KS2 lesson plan encourages pupils to learn new facts about plastic pollution, and reinforces the view that caring for the environment is an important part of life.


October, October book topic

World Environment Day book topic

Use this free three-page PDF to explore the book October, October by Katya Balen in a cross-curricular way. The story focuses on our connection to the natural world, making it a great choice for World Environment Day.


Creative ways to reuse plastic bottles

World Environment Day ideas sheet

This free PDF from the charity Global Ocean features ten creative ways to reuse plastic bottles.

Also from Global Ocean, you can also download two posters. The first is about how children can help fight plastic pollution. The second shows how plastic ends up in the ocean in the first place.


Global warming resources for World Environment Day

If you want to focus specifically on global warming, check out our round-up of the best climate change for kids classroom resources.


KS2 RE medium term plan

World Environment Day RE plan

Science isn’t the only subject you can fit climate discussions into. This free RE medium term plan for KS2 explores stewardship in Islam, how the Hajj pilgrimage is being affected by the climate and more.   


Imaginary adventure to the Amazon lesson plan

Take an imaginary class trip to the jungle to study its unique environment, important weather patterns and environmental challenges. This free KS2 geography lesson plan will teach kids why the Amazon is so important and why it needs protecting.


RSPCA bees, pollination and honey lesson

This free minibeasts lesson plan from the RSPCA will get pupils thinking about different types of insects, our attitudes to them and the roles they play in the ecosystem.

This lesson focuses upon bees to give an insight into the complexity of insect life and to explore the beneficial effect of bees on humans and the environment.


Michael Morpurgo book topic

Use Judy Clark’s activity ideas to explore This Morning I Met a Whale – Morpurgo’s tale of a boy who spies a bottlenose whale in the Thames. There are loads of writing opportunities, from environmental information pamphlets to persuasive letters and news reports.


Build a mini rainforest shelter lesson plan

In this hands-on survival lesson for KS1, children will use teamwork, communication skills and lots of creativity and imagination to build mini rainforest shelters from outdoor stuff found in your school grounds.


Leaf book topic

Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann is a beautiful picture book with plenty of heart – but there’s bite here, too. Use these activity ideas to explore the threat of environmental imbalance with your KS1 pupils.


Kids Against Plastic

Before we can expect anyone to protect the natural world, we need help them learn to love it first.

So, Kids Against Plastic has compiled a load of visual resources that will hopefully help you bring the ocean, and some of its glorious inhabitants, into your classroom or onto your screen.


‘Earth’ acrostic poem printout

This printable worksheet tasks students with writing an acrostic poem using the word ‘Earth’, all about our planet, and why it’s important to look after it.

There’s also space for children to draw illustrations to accompany their poems.


Wildlife and habitats RSPCA lesson

Encourage your young learners to explore the world around them, think about the impact humans have on wildlife and what we can do, as compassionate citizens, to protect them.

These free KS1 activities from the RSPCA introduce pupils to the effect that human actions can have on both animals and their environments.


Persuasive recycling poster

This worksheet with writing prompts, taken from the OUP primary literacy resource series Project X Origins, is designed to help pupils create a persuasive poster promoting the benefits of recycling.


Environment and sustainability lessons

The YPTE (Young People’s Trust for the Environment) has a selection of lessons covering plants, animals, fairtrade, food miles, seashores and more.


Find more great environmental ideas and resources for celebrating Earth Day.

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