Introduction to Climate Resilience: Elementary School

EcoRise

This lesson introduces students to climate resilience by emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in helping others during weather emergencies. The lesson starts by activating students' thinking about the weather, and how different kinds of weather can both positively and negatively impact our daily lives. Students then consider which people in their community might face greater challenges during weather emergencies, looking at how unfairness in society might be the cause of the increased challenges some people face. At the end, students think about how they and others in their community can help those who've been impacted by an extreme weather event and write a letter thanking local heroes.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Students would need some introduction and background on what climate change is before starting this lesson, as it moves directly into climate-enhanced weather events and climate resilience. Educators will want to read the section on eco-anxiety to prepare to support their students during the activities. Worksheets asking students to label "bad" weather and how everyone was impacted could need review to ensure they're supporting students who might have experienced these events or might feel scared imagining such events. There isn't a detailed and explicit connection between weather and climate and how climate change impacts severe weather as a focus of this lesson, so educators may need to supplement that topic with other materials.
This project introduces students to climate resilience and climate vulnerability against the backdrop of climate change. Elementary students consider ways in which people are impacted differently by weather emergencies and how we can help each other when weather emergencies occur. The background materials in the teachers guide are thorough and well written, with links and videos to better understand the concepts that are being taught. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
This lesson includes student worksheets (with a teachers' guide) and additional resources for further investigation. There are also tips on how to address eco-anxiety and other emotions that may come up with the class. The activities in each session are heavy on worksheets which aren't the most engaging for students. There is also discussion-based strategies used, but this resource may be better for grades 3-5 than early elementary ages. There are two separate lessons for middle school and for high school which go into more depth. Lesson includes a section on cultural-adaptation notes, including how to discuss socioeconomic and other climate vulnerabilities in a relevant way.