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Understanding the climate emergency and the youth-led Global Climate Strikes

Educator Resources for addressing climate change and the Global Climate Strikes

Elementary, Middle

Description

This resource is an introductory guide to help support educators and students in exploring climate change, climate justice and the Global Strikes for Climate led by school-age youth. It was created to prepare teachers and students to understand how and why youth activists are organizing what could be the largest public mobilization in history demanding strong commitment and rapid action from world leaders to address the growing climate emergency. The resource aims to inspire resilience and action in students and school community, and to see the connections we have with peoples, beings and environments both within and beyond our borders.

As part of the resource package, there are two resources designed for teachers to read independently and two resources that teachers can share with students as class activities. Teachers can also download the four resources as one file or separate files. 

  • Big ideas that connect to climate change - provides examples of activities that can connect climate change to subject-specific curriculum beyond science.
  • Teacher reflection on climate change - a reflection activity for teachers to consider how they are personally affected by climate change and how their students may be affected by climate change, climate grief or ecological grief.
  • Carbon Footprint - the goal of the carbon footprint activity is to minimize the actions we undertake that have a negative impact. As such, the footprint is a useful tool to determine how much of an impact we have on the planet. Students can use the footprint as a tool to determine areas in which they impact the environment. From there, actions can take place that benefit all three pillars of sustainability: environment, society, and economy.
  • Hope is Contagious – an informative reading comprehension activity for students.

Although the resource was created for BC educators, it can be easily adapted by teachers in other provinces.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource can be used to connect discussion and climate action across different subject areas for students in grades four to eight. The content can be adapted to fit the needs of students and the school community.   Teachers are encouraged to explore with their students the impacts European colonization has had on the natural environment and the emergence of the climate crisis, and to learn from Indigenous peoples in their community as part of the exploration.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active citizenship contributes to the vitality of communities that can promote pluralism among diverse people in a democratic society.
        • Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Weather Watch
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehension: Text comprehension is supported through applying varied strategies and processes, and considering both particular contexts and universal themes
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
        • Trees and Forests
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Democracy: Action and Participation: Citizens Participatiing in Decision Making
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehend and Respond
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Respect, Support and Collaborate
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
        • Arts Education: Works of art influence and are influenced by the world around us.
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Issues and Governance: Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future.
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Artists often challenge the status quo and open us to new perspectives and experiences.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Exploration and Design
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Manitoba, Canada, and the North: Places and Stories: Living in Manitoba
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Exploration and Design
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Exploration and Design
        • Language as Sense Making
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Exploration and Design
        • Language as Sense Making
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People & Places in the World: Global Quality of Life
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Exploration and Design
        • Language as Sense Making
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
        • Arts Education: Works of art influence and are influenced by the world around us.
        • Arts:Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Issues and Governance: Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future.
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 8: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Weather
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 7: Cultural/Historical
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Cultural/Historical
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Celebrate and Build Community
        • Comprehend and Respond
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To appreciate works of art, media images, personal productions and those of classmates
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Reads and listens to written, spoken and media texts
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Reads and listens to written, spoken and media texts
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
    • Grade 5
    • Grade 6
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 7: Cultural/Historical
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehend and Respond
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Cultural/Historical
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehend and Respond
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
        • Arts Education: Works of art influence and are influenced by the world around us.
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Issues and Governance: Complex global problems require international cooperation to make difficult choices for the future.
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Artists often challenge the status quo and open us to new perspectives and experiences.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Citizenship (2)

  • Community-Building and Participation
  • Ecological Footprint