This Year 5 geography unit explores natural resources, energy and sustainability through real-world examples linked to electricity, water, food and minerals. Pupils consider where everyday resources come from and how their use affects people, places and the environment.
Across six lessons, pupils compare renewable and non-renewable energy, investigate water supply, explore how food reaches our tables and look at the role of minerals in daily life. The unit encourages pupils to make connections between resource use, conservation and environmental responsibility.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this unit includes ready-to-teach lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated geography activities and assessment opportunities to support progression across Upper KS2 geography.
Explore the full Year 5 geography curriculum
See how this natural resources block fits within our wider Year 5 geography progression.
This Year 5 geography block develops pupils’ understanding of natural resources, energy use and sustainability. Pupils investigate how resources such as electricity, water, food and minerals are produced, transported and used in everyday life.
Throughout the unit, pupils compare renewable and non-renewable energy, explore water supply and food production, and consider whether some resources could run out. The lessons support pupils in thinking carefully about conservation, environmental impact and the choices people make when using natural resources.
This block forms part of our Year 5 geography curriculum within the KS2 geography scheme. It builds on earlier physical and human geography learning while introducing more complex themes linked to resource distribution, sustainability and environmental decision-making.
The lessons are designed to work flexibly within different curriculum structures and typically fit within a 45-60 minute geography lesson. Many schools teach geography through blocked units across half terms, while others use shorter weekly geography sessions across the term.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, our Glorious Geography scheme supports progression from EYFS geography through to KS2 geography, including mixed-age geography planning.
