Thursday 11th June 2020
Ocean and Beach Pollution
Today, we are exploring the impact of rubbish on our oceans and beaches and looking at how we can take action.
In the past 10 years, more plastic has been made than ever before. With this, the amount finding its
way into the ocean has also increased drastically. As research has found 8.3 million tons of plastic is
discarded into the sea every year. This can end up on our beaches, but we can also be responsible
for pollution and must ensure we discard of our rubbish in the correct way.
Pollution – A Whale’s Tale
Click on the image below to watch an animation about a whale.
Activity 1 – Watch the film several times and write down, in your own words, how it makes you feel and why you feel that way.
Use the questions below to help you explore your thoughts.
You do not have to answer the questions, but if you do then write in full sentences
(and don’t forget the correct punctuation).
Give examples from the film to justify your reasons.
Think about these questions to help you explore the film:
1. How do you think the little girl felt when she dropped the net into the water? What makes
you think that?
2. At first, do you think the whale realised the dangers of the net around his fin?
3. Do you think the other sea creatures were grateful of what the whale was doing? Why?
4. How do you think the little girl was feeling when no one took her posters? Why do you think
she was feeling that way?
5. What happened at the end of the clip? Why did all the sea creatures help? Is there a hidden
message? What do you think it could be?
Southend Beaches
Now let’s look at something closer to home with the impact of rubbish on our own beaches here in Southend.
Activity 2 – Look at the images. These are pictures of Southend beaches. Discuss with someone else how it makes you feel.
Before…
…and after
Make a difference
Activity 3 – Create a poster for Southend beach, reminding people to take their rubbish home with them
Click the image below to watch a clip with 5 useful tips on making a good poster.
Need some inspiration? Then have a look at the posters below
Publish your work
If you are proud of your work and would like to share it with a wider audience, ask your parents or
carers to take a photograph of it and email it to [email protected]
Want to do more?
If today has inspired you, you could extend your learning by having a go at any of the following:
Exploring more with the BBC series The Blue Planet – this programme is about coasts. Click
on the image below.
Organise a beach clean – click here for details of what you need to do and some useful
contact information.
Head over to the CBBC Website by clicking on the image below to save the seas in the new
Plastic Planet Marine Rescue game.