Character Education Science FCAT Warm-up
Cooperation – Elementary School – September 2008
Activity 1a: How Climate Change Affects Wildlife: Report Writing Skills
Climate Change is the single biggest threat to wildlife today. As a class project, have students form groups
and research one of the following animals or ecosystems (see below). Ask students to access the internet or
visit the school media center or local library to research the information needed on climate change and wildlife.
Have each student write a report about the current status of the selected animal/ecosystem, what the threats
are from climate change, what may happen if warming continues, and why that particular animal/ecosystem is
important to the planet. Keep in mind that food chains are important, and that many animals survive with
properly run food chains.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.1-5.3.1, LA.1-5.3.2, LA.1-5.3.3, LA1-5.3.4, LA.1-5.3.5, LA.1-5.4.2, SC.D.2.2 (grades 3-5), SC.D.2.1 (K-2)
Source: www.nwf.org/globalwarming
Polar Bear: As the ice literally melts out from under their feet, the future for polar bears is becoming
increasingly bleak.
Moose: Adapted to cold temperatures, moose are being stressed by increased temperatures.
Coral Reefs: Rising ocean temperatures have already caused massive coral bleaching, or the death of coral
reefs, leading to catastrophic collapse of these ecosystems which sustain huge numbers of fish.
Forests: High temperatures and drought lead to the death of millions of pine trees in the Southwest. Bark
beetles, an invasive insect, thrive in these warmer temperatures and destroy the forests. It has also resulted
in four times the number of major fires that were experienced two decades ago.
Trout, Salmon and Cod: These fish are stressed by high water temperatures and drought-associated low
water flows. Trout, salmon and cod require cold water to survive.
Adélie, Emperor and other Penguins: Penguins are losing their habitat and do not have enough krill shrimp
to eat. As Antarctic sea ice melts, it changes the water quality, making it less conducive to krill survival.
Migrating Birds: Climate change impacts the food of migrating birds. Birds time their migrations to when
plants bloom or insects hatch. They can eat as they migrate and find food for their chicks when they arrive. But
birds migrate and find that the insects, plants, or other foods they eat are not available.
The Everglades: The Everglades is home to dozens of endangered or threatened species, including the
Florida panther. As the sea rises, this area will be flooded or become exposed to more storms. Salt water will
flow right into the Everglades, causing great harm.
Activity 1b: How Climate Change Affects Wildlife: Speaking & Listening Skills
Once students have formed groups, researched one of the animals or ecosystems, and written a report, ask
students to give an oral presentation about the current status of the selected animal/ecosystem. Have them
report what the threats are from climate change, what may happen if warming continues, and why that
particular animal/ecosystem is important to the planet. Students should use a wall map to show the location
they are reporting on, and also pass around images photocopied from books on the subject to the class.
Encourage the students to be creative on how they demonstrate the impacts of climate change on the
particular animal or ecosystem they selected.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.1-5.5.2, LA.1-5.6.2, SC.D.2.2 (grades 3-5), SC.D.2.1 (K-2)
Source: www.nwf.org/globalwarming
Science FCAT Warm-up Questions:
1. Earth has warmed by about 1.2º to 1.4ºF over the past 100 years. The eight warmest years on record (since
1850) have all occurred since 1998, with the warmest year being 2005. The Earth could be getting warmer
due to natural causes, but many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things people do are
helping to make the Earth warmer. What is the next best step scientists should take?
A. assume that their ideas are correct
B. draw conclusions about their discoveries
C. design investigations to test their theories
D. try to convince others to accept their ideas
2. The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the
atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane, for example) trap energy from the sun. Fossil fuels
are seen by some scientists as a temporary energy source. The burning of fossil fuels is making the
greenhouse effect stronger. Which aspect of fossil fuels encourages scientists to find other sources of
energy production because of climate change?
A. the burning of fossil fuels results in air pollution
B. fossil fuels store energy for a short period of time
C. inadequate organic material exists to replace fossil fuels
D. fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource
3. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is one of the wildest regions left in the United States. It is
home to a diverse array of wildlife including polar bears, musk oxen, wolves and caribou. It’s hard to
believe that such an environmental wonder has existed for millions of years, yet is so fragile that humanrelated activities could destroy it within a few lifetimes. Which of the following best illustrates what
humans should do to ensure this area is protected for future generations?
A. start oil drilling in the Arctic
B. use alternative fuels and alternative energy instead of burning fossil fuels
C. remove all human activities from the Arctic region
D. monitor animal populations in the Arctic and other sensitive areas
Answers:
1. C
2. A
3. B