Lesson Idea | Exploring Climate Science: Climate Change

Grade Level: Upper elementary, third grade through fifth grade
Subject: Science
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Common Core Standards:5.RI.7, 5.RI.9, and 5.W.8
Additional Standards: Next Generation Science Standards 5-ESS3-1
Thinking Skills: Remembering (recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles), understanding (understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read), and interpret or summarize the ideas in own words.

Objective

In “Exploring Climate Science (Climate Change),” students will explore causes of climate change and discuss impacts on the environment. Students will be able to:
- List three causes of climate change
- Describe at least two impacts to the environment caused by climate change

Background

Water is essential for life on Earth. Relative water availability is a major factor in designating habitats for different living organisms. In the United States, things like agriculture and water rights are hot topics. Current models predict that average global temperatures are going to continue to rise even if regional climate changes remain complex and varied. These changes will have an impact on all of Earth's systems.

Studies have shown that climate change is driven not only by natural effects but also by human activities. Knowledge of the factors that affect climate, coupled with responsible management of natural resources, are required for sustaining these Earth systems. Long-term change can be anticipated using science-based predictive models, making science and engineering essential to understanding global climate change and its possible impacts.

National Parks can serve as benchmarks for climate science trends and effects over time because they are protected areas void of human influence. Understanding current climate trends will help set students up to be successful in interpreting and engaging in discussions about climate change, which will lead to informed decision making.

For further information, please visit National Park Service website.