Elementary GLOBE Climate Module

Becca Hatheway, Diane Stanitski, Lisa Gardiner, Elementary GLOBE; University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Through learning activities, students learn how weather over a long period of time describes climate, explore how sea level rise can affect coastal communities and environments, and describe how humans are contributing to climate change and how we can take action to solve this problem.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

The first activity in this series is intended to span the school year. There is a [link https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/teacher-implementation-guide 'teaching implementation guide'] on the Globe Elementary main web page that discusses how the educator can implement the storybook guided units in your classroom. At the end of the story book there is a section on "Teaching Notes" that provides more background information for the teacher on the activities that are to follow. If you are concerned that these lessons may cause anxiety in your students due to a focus on problems associated with climate change, please refer to our [link https://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/index.html 'CLEAN Elementary Guidance Pages']. Instructor will need to spend time looking for photos and videos of areas affected by sea level rise. Website resources are provided in the curriculum.
All of the activities include numerous interconnected scientific concepts regarding climate change as well as implementation of critical thinking skills and data interpretation and analysis. The activities use scientific methods such as data collection, graphing, and observing to support understanding of weather and climate. Students create a model of a coastline and test predictions as to the effect that climate change has on its natural and human characteristics. Students discuss and learn the basics of greenhouse gases. Authentic and timely scientific understanding of students own carbon footprint helps connect to their role and place. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
This resource is hands on and contains many visuals. The use of cooperative groups leads to greater linguistic access. Daily weather data collection, graphing, observing, can be easily addressed in routines throughout the day. The diorama is a powerful inquiry model of learning and meets many learning styles. Embedding the ebook and discovering students' carbon footprint are useful pieces of technology within this module. There are several ways mentioned to extend or modify the activities for students at different levels/grades. There are several instances of group work and discussion that builds teamwork and communication skills. To encourage diverse learners, include other ways to share thoughts about the scientific rubric (the activity focus is on verbal skills, which may be difficult for ESL, etc.). Teachers may need to adapt activities to bring in more local examples of impacts of climate change. To support diverse learners, consider including an activity to help students understand the vocabulary, such as a word wall.