Students examine examples of three interconnected responses of humans to the changing climate- suffering, adaptation and mitigation- and based on their findings and analysis, describe how climate change is impacting the earth's systems now as well as in the future. Using video segments from NOVA’s Decoding the Weather Machine, students explore ways in which adaptation and mitigation strategies can be effective in minimizing suffering and then use this information to develop an evidence-based action plan for their local community.
In addition to the video segments, this interactive lesson presents climate change data and information in graphs, maps, models and case studies which the students analyze and use to make predictions about the impacts from the changing climate . Responses to questions posed throughout the lesson, reflections on the videos and a final writing assignment are entered into a digital notebook that serves as their work record.
The resource provides teachers with valuable instructional tips and technical notes to support its implementation.
This resource will prove to be an effective tool in the discussion of climate change in secondary science and geography programs. It provides an excellent foundation for students to involve themselves in a community-based climate change action project and is suitable for in-class use as well as at-home learning.
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
Principle | Rating | Explanation |
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Consideration of Alternative Perspectives | Very Good | The videos and case studies provide information representing different perspectives and points of view. The questions accompanying the activities encourage reflection and require students to take informed positions. |
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
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Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions | Good | The resource's examination of how adaptation and mitigation can reduce suffering promotes a system's-thinking approach to the environmental, economic and social impacts of climate change. |
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions: Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.
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Respects Complexity | Good | The attention to how humans have contributed to climate change and the limitations of both mitigation and adaptation as solutions, help illustrate the complexity of the issue. Suggestions to deepen the discussion accompany several of the activities. |
Respects Complexity: The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected. | ||
Acting on Learning | Good | The final assignment requires the student to put in writing an action plan to address climate change specific to the needs of their community. Implementation is not a requirement. |
Acting on Learning: Learning moves from understanding issues to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community, or for the planet
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Values Education | Very Good | Opportunities are included in each activity. |
Values Education: Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values. | ||
Empathy & Respect for Humans | Good | The videos and case studies illustrate how climate change impacts some communities more than others and the reasons why. |
Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.). | ||
Personal Affinity with Earth | Very Good | The attention brought to the impacts that climate change is having on the planet connects students to the natural world and the need for stewardship. |
Personal Affinity with Earth: Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.
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Locally-Focused Learning | Good | Students are required to apply what they are learning about climate change for the benefit of their community as a final assignment. |
Locally-Focused Learning: Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community.
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Past, Present & Future | Good | Climate change over time and predicting future impacts are integral elements of the lesson. |
Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future. |
Principle | Rating | Explanation |
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Open-Ended Instruction | Very Good | Students are required to reflect upon information gathered from a variety of perspectives and form their own opinions. |
Open-Ended Instruction
: Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer. | ||
Integrated Learning | Satisfactory | The resource with its focus on investigating climate change, incorporates content and skills related to a number of science disciplines (earth science, environmental science, ecology), as well as physical geography and world issues. |
Integrated Learning: Learning brings together content and skills from more than one subject area
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Inquiry Learning | Satisfactory | The interactive nature of the resource provides students with questions regarding different climate strategies and their effectiveness and information in a variety of formats to use in answering them. |
Inquiry Learning: Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.
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Differentiated Instruction | Good | The resource employs a number of instructional approaches that make use of different video and digital tools. Suggestions for addressing common student misconceptions and ideas to support understanding of the more difficult concepts are provided in the 'teaching tips'. |
Differentiated Instruction: Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.
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Experiential Learning | Poor/Not considered | This is not a feature of the resource. |
Experiential Learning: Authentic learning experiences are provided
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Cooperative Learning | Satisfactory | The learning activities can be completed individually or in small groups or a combination of both. |
Cooperative Learning: Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.
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Assessment & Evaluation | Poor/Not considered | All of the student required responses and assignments are collected in a ‘My Work Record” which students can refer to and teachers can use to gauge student understanding. Suggestions for formative evaluation are included in the ‘tips for teachers’ |
Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc. | ||
Peer Teaching | Satisfactory | |
Peer Teaching: Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.
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Case Studies | Very Good | Case studies are used to help students gauge the effectiveness and limitations of adaptation and mitigation. |
Case Studies: Relevant case studies are included. Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore concepts in an authentic context. | ||
Locus of Control | Poor/Not considered | Opportunities to choose content elements are limited. |
Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue. |