The Climate Change Debate
Authentic Learning Lesson Plan
Grades: 6-­‐12 Subjects: Science, Earth Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Geography, Civics Topics: Global warming, climate, weather, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, acidification, polar ice cap Duration: 2 weeks Description: In this OLE Authentic Learning lesson plan, students will examine the latest report on climate change, conduct their own research, and take an informed position on global warming based on facts and evidence. Their research will culminate in a proposal for action that supports their viewpoint, which they will submit to their local representatives for consideration. 21st Century Themes: Global Awareness, Civic Literacy. Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy, Health Literacy, Environmental Literacy 21st Century Skills: Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Communication & Collaboration, Information Literacy, Media Literacy, Technology Literacy, Life & Career Skills Primary Learning Artifacts/Performances: Individual: OLE Online Discussion Board participation (Guidelines for evaluation)
“PBS NOW Global Warming Venn Diagram”
Group:
TikaTok Project: “Campaign to Make a Difference”
Tikatok Project: “Letter Writing”
Engage & Discover Activity One: Video Show the NBC Learn video streaming on OLE** video “2014 U.N. Study Offers Bleak Outlook on Climate Change.”
Resources “2014 U.N. Study Offers Bleak Outlook on Climate Change”
A 2014 report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that dangers like wildfires, floods, and rising sea levels will only worsen unless drastic changes to emissions are made.
NBC Learn video streaming on OLE**
Activity Two: Present Use the “Weather and Climate Interactivity: Greenhouse Effect” activity on OLE* to develop an understanding of the greenhouse effect and how to stabilize greenhouse gas levels.
Resources “Weather and Climate Interactivity: Greenhouse Effect“
Develop an understanding of the greenhouse effect and how to stabilize greenhouse gas levels.
Activity Three: Discussion Board As a class, use the OLE Online Discussion Board to collectively define the following vocabulary terms and lesson concepts: •
greenhouse effect •
greenhouse gases •
climate •
weather •
global warming Activity Four: Class Activity Have students review their understanding of the various threats to biodiversity with the “Ecology Interactivity: Threats to Biodiversity” activity on OLE*. Make Connections Activity One: Video Show the NBC Learn video streaming on OLE** video “The Politics of Weather: Are the Flurry of Storms a Result of Climate Change?” to hear Bill Nye and Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn debate the recent U.N. Report on climate change. Resources “The Politics of Weather: Are the Flurry of Storms a Result of Climate Change?” In a special Meet The Press debate, scientist Bill Nye, known as “The Science Guy,” pleads for action to address climate change with Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn, who calls climate science “unproven.” Activity Two: Research Have students explore the recent report from the U.N. on climate change and the resources at the end of this lesson to learn about the different viewpoints on global warming. Activity Three: Class Activity Have students work in pairs during class or assign as homework the “PBS NOW Global Warming Venn Diagram” to compare the different viewpoints on global warming. Resources “PBS NOW Global Warming Venn Diagram” In a special Meet The Press debate, scientist Bill Nye, known as “The Science Guy,” pleads for action to address climate change with Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn, who calls climate science “unproven.” Apply Understanding Activity One: Online Discussion Board Have students choose a position on global warming and defend their position using the OLE Online Discussion Board with at least 3 facts from their research. Next, have students respond to at least one of their classmates’ posts. Be sure to review the OLE Discussion Board Guidelines that you’ve established with your students to ensure that you have a productive and lively debate. Resources OLE Discussion Board Guidelines Activity Two: Project Have students use the Tikatok project “Our Campaign to Make a Difference” to document their plan for what actions they believe should be taken to address global warming. This project comes complete with writing prompts, image galleries, and design tools for students to personalize their projects. When students finish projects at TikaTok.com, go to “My Studio” and click “Invite Parent” to share the link. Resources “Our Campaign to Make a Difference” Share Knowledge Activity One: Project Have students write a letter to their local representative (mayor, congressman, senator, etc.) to share their plan about making a difference and what they think their government can do to help. Use this TikaTok project, which comes with pages that are pre-­‐formatted for letter writing, to create a classroom book of students’ letters to share with other classrooms or schools in your district. Resources “Letter Writing Project” Playback Online Discussion Board Have students reflect on the following either during class discussion or using the OLE Online Discussion Board: •
Indicators of global climate change •
Possible causes of global climate change •
Ways to prevent further global climate change •
How they plan on continuing to make a difference Assessment •
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OLE Online Discussion Board participation (Guidelines for evaluation)
“PBS NOW Global Warming Venn Diagram”
TikaTok Projects
Letters to their representatives
Additional Resources OLE Resources* “Weather and Climate Interactivity: Greenhouse Effect“ Develop an understanding of the greenhouse effect and how to stabilize greenhouse gas levels. “Untamed Science: Weather and Climate Video: Searching for the Perfect Climate” Go with the Untamed Science teams as they explore the factors that affect climate. “PBS NOVA: Ecology Interactivity: The Extreme Ice Survey” Geologist, photographer, and mountaineer James Balog guides listeners through a stunning audiovisual tour of the Extreme Ice Survey, a collaborative study of glacial melting worldwide. Prepare to be astounded by this interactive slideshow and video from NOVA. “Weather and Climate Interactivity: Cimate Change: Causes, Effects, Solutions” Examine the causes and effects of, and solutions to, climate change. NBC Learn on OLE Resources** “2014 U.N. Study Offers Bleak Outlook on Climate Change” A 2014 report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that dangers like wildfires, floods, and rising sea levels will only worsen unless drastic changes to emissions are made. NBC Learn video streaming on OLE** The Politics of Weather: Are the Flurry of Storms a Result of Climate Change? In a special Meet The Press debate, scientist Bill Nye, known as “The Science Guy,” pleads for action to address climate change with Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn, who calls climate science “unproven.” NBC Learn video streaming on OLE** OER Frontline – Heat Video looks at how the world’s largest corporations and governments are responding to global warming. TED Talk Time lapse of extreme ice loss Photographer James Balog shares new image sequences from the Extreme Ice Survey, a network of time-­‐lapse cameras recording glaciers receding at an alarming rate, some of the most vivid evidence yet of climate change. NPR “Researchers Detail How Climate Change Will Alter Our Lives” A United Nations panel has released a report from scientists who are getting a much better understanding of the effects of climate change. Data.gov Here you can find data related to climate change that can help inform and prepare America’s communities, businesses, and citizens. Initially, in this pilot phase, you can find data and resources related to coastal flooding, sea level rise, and their impacts. Over time, you will be able to find additional data and tools relevant to other important climate-­‐related impacts, including risks to human health, the food supply, and energy infrastructure. “EPA: A Student’s guide to Global Climate Change” The Heat Over Global Warming Climate Change and the Media Senate Hearings OLE Community “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Authentic Learning Lesson Plan” In this Authentic Learning lesson plan, students will use what they learn about the water cycle, pollution, the Great Garbage Patch, and recycling to create a proposal for how they can reduce waste both locally and globally. OLE Community TikaTok “Our Campaign to Make a Difference” “Letter Writing Project” Footnotes:
*If you don’t already have an OLE subscription, sign up for a Free 30-­‐Day Trial to check out the resources in this lesson plan. Visit Online Learning Exchange to learn more about the courses that are available on OLE. **NBC Learn video streaming on OLE is a rich, dynamic, and innovative resource that provides thousands of historic news reports, current events stories, original content, primary source documents, and other digital media specifically designed to help teach and engage students of all levels and abilities. Sign up for a Free 30-­‐Day Trial to check out the 16,000 videos and interactivities available in OLE.