Y5/6 (B): Why do oceans matter?
Based on the National curriculum for Geography in KS2, use this unit hub to inform your medium-term plan.
We’re monitoring the upcoming 2025 National Curriculum updates and will revise our resources when we know more. Learn more
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe the water cycle.
- Describe how the ocean is used for human activity.
- Explain how the ocean helps to regulate the Earth’s climate and temperature.
- Identify the Great Barrier Reef as part of Australia.
- Describe the benefits of the Great Barrier reef.
- Describe how humans impact the oceans and the consequences of this.
- Explain some actions that can be taken to help support healthy oceans.
- Explain which data collection method would be best for marine fieldwork and why.
- Collect data using a tally chart, photographs and a sketch map.
- Safely navigate the fieldwork environment.
- Make suggestions for how to improve a marine environment.
- Present data using a tally chart and pie chart.
Lesson 5 involves fieldwork in a marine environment. It is important to risk-assess the proposed route taking into account any relevant school risk assessment policies and procedures. Refer to the Before the lesson section in Lesson 5 to prepare for this lesson. Please be aware this lesson may take longer than 1 hour.
Lessons 2, 5 and 6 require a device (one between two).
Suggested prior learning
Y5/6 (B): Why does population change?
Get startedLessons
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 1: How do we use our oceans?
- To explain the importance of our oceans.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 2: What is the Great Barrier Reef?
- To locate and describe the significance of the Great Barrier Reef.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 3: Why are our oceans suffering?
- To explain the impact humans have on coral reefs and oceans.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 4: What can we do to help our oceans?
- To understand ways to keep our oceans healthy and begin planning a fieldwork enquiry.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 5: How littered is our marine environment? – Data collection
- To collect data on the types of litter polluting a marine environment.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 6: How littered is our marine environment? – Findings
- To present, analyse and evaluate data collected.
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser: Geography – Y5 Why do oceans matter?
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit "Why do oceans matter?".

Vocabulary display – Geography Y5: Why do oceans matter?
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit ‘Why do oceans matter?’.
Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Writing – composition, spoken language
Mathematics: Statistics
Computing
Physical education
RSE/PSHE