World Ocean Day: how to protect our oceans
Every year on the 8th of June, World Oceans Day is celebrated worldwide. This year, the theme is ‘Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean’. But what does this mean exactly? The ocean connects, sustains, and supports us all; however, we have not been looking after it. This year is all about creating a new balance with the ocean, so it brings in new life.
So, we have come up with ways you can work together with your class to think of new ideas and solutions to protect and revitalise the ocean.
Say NO to plastic
Plastics are one of the biggest threats to the ocean and the easiest thing to change. Billions of pieces of plastic end up in the ocean every year and the animals that live in and around the ocean can even get tangled up in it. These plastics can also break down in the ocean and turn into something called microplastics. This can then enter the food chain and we humans end up eating it!
This year, teach your class about the impact of single-use plastics, like drinking straws and packaging. Tell them about the importance of recycling and how they can responsibly throw out plastic.
A great way of helping to protect our oceans is to organise a beach clean-up. We understand that the beach may be too far away, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t help. Plastics can travel for hundreds of miles before entering the ocean, so even a plastic clean-up along rivers, streams or your local community will benefit the oceans.
Fish are friends, not food
Did you know that the oceans are the main source of protein for over a billion people around the world? This puts a huge amount of pressure on the fish stocks, which are already overfished. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat fish at all, you can teach your class about making informed decisions.
Have them create a list they can take home to their families about ways to help the ocean and fish. This could be discovering which fish are most eco-friendly to buy and where they can get them locally.
Use eco-friendly products
One way to help protect our oceans is by using eco-friendly cleaning products in the classroom. Our Ocean Saver anti-bac starter kit is perfect for your tables and surfaces while reducing plastic usage at the same time. Ocean Saver is a fully biodegradable brand which only uses plant-based ingredients. All you have to do is drop the capsule in warm water, shake the bottle and you are ready to go. Using this will combat single-use plastics in cleaning products and preserve our oceans, with the plants, animals and other organisms that live within them.
Just make sure you report to an SBM to ensure that these cleaning products are being used around your school and classroom.
And if you want to teach your class about the environment and other ways they can help, then try our whole school environment pack. Keep the theme of saving the planet and use our lesson plans to develop their spoken language, vocabulary, and reading and writing skills through the mastery approach.
Ocean facts
Bursting with wildlife and overflowing with mysteries to be solved, our oceans are one of the most amazing habitats on Earth. Here at Hope, we have found our top fun facts that you can tell your class.
1.
The largest ocean on Earth is the Pacific Ocean – this covers around 30% of the Earth’s surface
2.
The sea is home to the world’s largest living structure – the Great Barrier Reef. Measuring around 2,600km, it can even be seen from the Moon!
3.
We have only explored about 5% of the world’s oceans. There’s a lot more to be discovered
4.
The biggest animal in the ocean is the blue whale
5.
The majority of life on Earth is aquatic. A massive 94% of the Earth’s living species exist within the oceans.
Download our eco-friendly worksheet
To ensure your school participates in World Ocean Day, we have created a maze worksheet for your class. Print this worksheet off and hand them out to your class. Children will enjoy helping Earth and its friends to escape the maze. They will also learn more about the oceans and how to protect them by answering the questions along the way.
Celebrate world ocean day with your class and let us know how you make a difference. Remember, every small thing helps, so anything you can do will help protect our oceans. If you want more ideas on how to encourage your class to help the environment, then check out our recent blog on 7 ways children can help save the planet.