1. Lesson Title: Investigating waters oxygen supply
Class: KS2 Topic: Conservation Time Allocation:
Learning Intentions
Describe how sand/silt effects the oxygen
levels in water
Identify human activities contributing to
addition of sand/silt
Success Criteria
Working well with and engaging with group
members.
Making observations
Key Vocabulary
Conservation
Silt
Oxygen
Pollution
Introduction
Before class, set up an example--a container with gravel covered by water--so that
students can see how to carry out the investigation. Create a grid on the interactive
whiteboard for pupils to record their results.
Place students into groups of three or four.
Resources
clear plastic or glass container such as a
storage box or casserole dish
pea-sized gravel, four cups
water
coarse sand, one cup
silt (silica powder from the edge of a stream),
one cup
straws, three per person
Development (Activity)
Ask each group to gather their supplies and set up their demonstration.
Each person in the group should blow bubbles into the water with a straw. The group then
discusses its results and records its observations on the interactive whiteboard.
Instruct the groups to add sand to the water, and then blow bubbles again. The group then
discusses its results and records its observations on the interactive whiteboard.
Now add silt to the water, and blow bubbles again. The group then discusses its results and
records its observations on the interactive whiteboard.
Key Questions
Throughout the experiment ask pupils to
comment and question what they see and offer
explanation as to why it may be happening
Plenary
Conduct a whole-class discussion about the demonstration and results, how they changed over
time. Consider what these results might mean to salmon nests and their need for clean water.
Differentiation
Groups should be of mixed ability and
instructions should be accessible for all in the
class

2. Extension
Write up a science report on the experiment
Other Notes