This ESR scheme of work for Year 3 and Year 4 begins by exploring what biodiversity is and why it is important, through the example of the coral reef ecosystem.

Children then find out about the biodiversity of the rainforests, and how this ecosystem is under threat from increasing animal extinction rates. Finally, they will look at the importance of birds in our world, and what we can do to help stop their declining numbers.

Make sure you also download this free Garden Bird Identification Sheet to support your teaching of Biodiversity.

Coral Reefs

In this first lesson, children learn what biodiversity is, and how important it is not only for plants and animals, but for humans too. They explore the biodiversity of one of the largest ecosystems in the world - the coral reef. In their independent activities, children create their own coral reef, and then complete sentences or answer questions about it. In the alternative activity, children explore the symbiotic relationships of the plants and animals of the coral reef.

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

View Lesson 1

Rainforests and the Threat of Extinction

In this lesson, children focus on rainforests, and begin to learn about this ecosystem by exploring some simple food chains that can be found there. They find out what extinction is, and how this is a threat to the biodiversity of the rainforest by exploring its possible effect on food chains. In their independent activities, children further explore and discuss the effect of extinction on different plants and animals. In the FSD? activity, they focus on deforestation as one of the causes of extinction, and create posters or write letters to raise awareness of the effect this is having on the biodiversity of the rainforest.

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

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The Importance of Birds

Children find out about the important role birds play in many of the world’s ecosystems. They are encouraged to think about what the world would be like without birds. They discover that the bird population is declining, and talk about some small ways in which they could help the birds that visit their garden. In their independent activities, children design and make a bird feeder. Alternatively, children are challenged to write a poem, story, song, play or presentation, or create a poster or piece of artwork, which demonstrates the importance of birds.

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

View Lesson 3