Weather and Climate Unit Part 6: Climate Change
$19.99
Comprehensive Climate Change Unit – Interactive Lessons, Analyzing Climate Graphs, Activities, Work Bundle & Assessments
Engage your students in one of the most pressing scientific issues of our time with this comprehensive climate change lesson bundle. Designed for middle and high school science teachers, this resource includes six 50-minute lessons and a 16-page student work bundle that allows students to explore the science behind climate change, human impact, and solutions for the future.
Through interactive slideshows, hands-on experiments, data analysis, engaging discussions, games, and built-in quizzes, students develop a deep understanding of climate change, the carbon cycle, and the greenhouse effect. The structured format ensures an effective and engaging learning experience, with materials that are editable and Google Classroom-friendly for easy customization. A 20-question quiz game at the end provides a structured review and assessment.
What’s Included?
Six 50-minute interactive lessons
16-page student work bundle (fillable, editable format)
Step-by-step, visually engaging slideshows
Graph interpretation activities and real-world data analysis
Hands-on experiments and demonstrations
Engaging review games and quizzes
Meaningful discussions and movie analysis on climate change solutions
Google Slides & Docs compatibility for digital learning
Lesson Highlights and Key Concepts
Lesson 1: Understanding Climate Change
The unit begins by addressing why climate change matters, especially for students.
Defining Climate vs. Weather – Understanding the key differences.
Branches of Science in Climate Studies – How different fields contribute to climate research.
Carbon and Climate Change – Introduction to the carbon atom’s role in the environment.
Carbon Todd Video Series (Part I) – Breaking down global warming concepts into short, engaging segments.
Carbon Reservoirs & Emissions – Differentiating between natural and human-caused sources of greenhouse gases.
Lesson 2: The Carbon Cycle & Human Impact
This lesson focuses on the natural carbon cycle and the impact of fossil fuels on climate change.
Historical Perspective – Human fuel use from early civilizations to today.
Fossil Fuels & Borrowed Carbon – How ancient carbon is released into the atmosphere.
Seasonal CO₂ Variations & Hemispheric Differences – Understanding global trends.
Carbon Todd Video Series (Part II & III) – Further exploration of the carbon cycle.
Carbon Footprint Activity – Students calculate their ecological impact using an online tool.
Lesson 3: The Greenhouse Effect
Students dive into the mechanics of the greenhouse effect and how it drives global warming.
Step-by-Step Explanation – Visual slides that build conceptual understanding.
Challenge-Based Activities – Students apply knowledge to answer thought-provoking questions.
Hands-On Experiment – Two bottles in light: one covered, one exposed. Students record temperature differences to see the greenhouse effect in action.
Carbon Todd Video Series (Part IV & V) – Concluding the role of carbon in climate change.
Lesson 4: Climate Change Data & Real-World Evidence
This lesson emphasizes scientific data and evidence of climate change.
Graph Analysis & Interpretation – CO₂ levels, temperature trends, and historical climate patterns.
Before & After Images of Ice Caps – Observing real-world impacts of global warming.
Sea-Level Rise & Other Consequences – Exploring the major effects of climate change on ecosystems and human populations.
Opposing Viewpoints – Listening to alternative perspectives, including an interview with the founder of the Weather Channel.
Lesson 5: Who’s Responsible for Climate Change?
This engaging lesson examines global responsibility for carbon emissions.
Climate Change Cake Activity – The teacher brings in a cake or large chocolate bar to represent the climate crisis. Students receive country name cards and divide the cake based on each country’s emissions contribution. The United States gets a large slice, Asia gets the biggest but shares it between more students, etc.
Future Scenarios & Climate Lottery – Students choose potential future scenarios based on climate action and policy decisions.
Lesson 6: Solutions & Climate Change in Media
The final lesson focuses on solutions, awareness, and climate action.
Movie Analysis: "Ice on Fire" – Students watch key segments and answer guided questions.
Hidden Box Game Review – A fun interactive game where pieces of an image are removed as students guess the underlying picture.
Final Quiz & Self-Assessment – Students demonstrate understanding in a 20-question quiz with an answer key for self-evaluation.
Why This Resource?
This highly detailed, interactive climate change unit provides a well-rounded, engaging, and scientifically accurate exploration of climate science, human impact, and solutions. The combination of hands-on activities, multimedia resources, and real-world data analysis ensures that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
The editable format and Google Classroom compatibility make it ideal for both in-person and remote learning. Whether you're teaching climate change as part of a weather and climate unit or a standalone environmental science course, this resource offers everything you need for an engaging and meaningful learning experience.
Equip your students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to understand and address climate change with this powerful, ready-to-use unit!
Quantity