This resource focuses on the history of climate change, its present day causes and consequences, how human activities are interconnected with sustaining biodiversity, and the role that students can play in their community to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. The seven lessons making up the resource can be delivered in sequence or used individually.
Lesson One: Picturing Climate Change ( 3 X 45min)
After a class discussion on greenhouse gases and their role in global warming, students complete a timeline of climate change dating back 65 million years. In groups, students match story segments to these time lines to reinforce the concept that human activity contributed to climate change over the past 250 years. After discussion questions, students design a timeline of the future which branches into both a "probable' and "predicted" future.
Lesson Two- The Heat Is On ( 4 X45min)
Students participate in a "game show" to explore what they know about climate change and the greenhouse effect. Groups of students then research people in their local community and select an "Environmental Hero". A class bulletin board is then created to display the contributions made by these 'heroes".
Lesson Three- World In A Bottle- ( 3X45min)
After watching a video and answering questions on weather vs climate, students build their own "world in a bottle" by layering gravel, charcoal, soil, and sand in a large jar, into which plants are nestled. This model of the earth and atmosphere helps students visualize concepts related to climate change. A class discussion ensues which emphasizes how human actions can impact climate.
Lesson Four- The World Wide Web: The Internet (8X45min)
Students are guided through several websites which consist of animated pictures, short readings, and interactive activities which focus on causes of climate change and the actions they can take to cut down on greenhouse emissions. They also compare carbon dioxide emissions in their own geographical region with 10 other countries around the world, discuss the effects of climate change and desertification in Mali and examine early warning signs of climate change in other locations.
Lesson Five: The World Wide Web: Human Interactions (7X45min)
Students use a classroom game to learn how trees, soil, water, and human activities are interconnected. After watching a video and researching information on the Internet, they examine the causes, effects and suggest solutions for desertification in Mali with a focus on crop production. Students then compare the climate in West Africa with that of Canada's prairie provinces. Students create and play a board game to explore how climate change negatively affects amphibians. In a concluding activity, they build Origami frogs and write a climate change solution for their own community.
Lesson Six- Choose Your own Challenge (5X45min)
Students are encouraged to continue to think about the positive action of their Environmental Heroes. They participate in a "climatoquiz", organize an environmental festival in the community and create a class charter on climate change to share with the school and the community.
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 | Satisfactory | The resource seeks input and data from nations around the world. The point of view of governments is not addressed. |
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
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Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions | Good | The environmental effects of climate change are seen as detrimental and greenhouse gas emissions a major contributor to this effect. These emissions are directly related to consumption and lifestyle choices and these choices affect people around the world. |
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 | Satisfactory | Although not examining all aspects of this issue, the resource promotes dialogue and discussion within groups of students. The resource encourages open-end solutions and research activities relate both environmental and social issues. |
Respects Complexity: The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected. | ||
Acting on Learning | Poor/Not considered | Poor- activities are designed to promote awareness more so than action. After activities, research and discussions, students may be motivated to act in some way. |
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 | Satisfactory | |
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 research done on Mali, West Africa promotes empathy for those whose poverty is magnified by issues with climate change and desertification. |
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 | Poor/Not considered | There is no out-of doors experience. |
Personal Affinity with Earth: Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.
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Locally-Focused Learning | Good | Many activities are focused on promoting community awareness of these issues. |
Locally-Focused Learning: Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community.
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Past, Present & Future | Good | The timeline exercise examines the effects of human activities on climate change in the past and present. The future is seen as positive only if lifestyle choices are changed on a large scale. |
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 | Satisfactory | A combination of structured and guided inquiry is used. After being presented with information, researching and doing activities students are encouraged to develop their own opinions and ideas. |
Open-Ended Instruction
: Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer. | ||
Integrated Learning | Good | |
Integrated Learning: Learning brings together content and skills from more than one subject area
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Inquiry Learning | Satisfactory | |
Inquiry Learning: Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.
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Differentiated Instruction | Satisfactory | The resource teaches to both the cognitive and affective domains. There are no accommodations suggested for people with learning difficulties. Some websites have reading levels which will be too difficult for some students. |
Differentiated Instruction: Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.
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Experiential Learning | Satisfactory | The 'World in A Bottle" is a good simulation of our earth. |
Experiential Learning: Authentic learning experiences are provided
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Cooperative Learning | Satisfactory | |
Cooperative Learning: Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.
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Assessment & Evaluation | Poor/Not considered | Poor. No rubrics or assessment tools are provided. |
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 | Good | The case studies on Mali and information on other nations on the provided websites are relevant and authentic. |
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 | Good | |
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. |